Managed security service providers (MSSPs) are third-party vendors that offer a comprehensive suite of remote cybersecurity services, tools, and solutions.
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Managed security service providers (MSSPs) protect organisations with outsourced cybersecurity services based on the latest and most advanced cybersecurity capabilities—at a fraction of the cost of traditional in-house cybersecurity systems.
Businesses today are being bombarded on a daily basis by increasingly powerful and sophisticated cyber threats. These range from data breaches, identity theft, and insider threats to malware and ransomware attacks, phishing schemes, botnet assaults, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and SQL code injection and cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.
MSSPs can help safeguard sensitive and confidential data, identify gaps or vulnerabilities in cybersecurity defences, ensure compliance with government and industry security regulations—and keep organisations, their partners, and their customers safe from cybercriminals. Outsourcing cybersecurity to a single specialised provider frees up organisations’ time and resources to focus on core business activities.
What do MSSPs provide?
MSSPs use advanced tools like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and cloud security technologies to help organisations enhance their security posture, identify and prevent most cyberattacks before they happen, and respond to any attacks that get past enterprise defences as quickly and decisively as possible.
Among their managed security services, MSSPs offer:
Continuous real-time monitoring of IT networks, systems, and components
Industry-leading threat intelligence tools and resources
Anti-spam, anti-spyware, and anti-malware protection
Proactive threat hunting tools
Virtual private networks (VPNs)
Automated vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and digital twin exercises
Always-on intrusion detection systems (IDS)
Cloud-based, managed, and next-generation firewalls (NGFWs)
Security and information management (SIEM) services
Cybersecurity advice, training, and consulting
By safeguarding sensitive and confidential data from data breaches, MSSPs help organisations reduce security risks and maintain compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). MSSPs can also augment in-house security operations centres (SOCs) to improve an organisation’s cyber defences and free security teams to take care of higher-level strategic concerns.
Managed security service providers (MSSPs) vs. managed service providers (MSPs)
They may sound alike, but there is a key difference between a managed security service provider (MSSP) and a managed service provider (MSP).
Both MSSPs and MSPs provide outsourced third-party services to help organisations manage their IT assets. But while MSSPs focus exclusively on cybersecurity, MSPs offer a broad spectrum of services from maintaining IT infrastructures and running software as a service (SaaS) platforms to remotely managing computer networks, telecommunications systems, and help desks.
MSPs can be a great choice for organisations that need a wider range of IT support. But for cybersecurity, MSSPs provide a much higher level of specialised expertise, experience, and more advanced protection.
What are the benefits of using an MSSP?
MSSPs offer a number of important benefits, especially for organisations that don’t have the time or resources to build a dedicated in-house cybersecurity system.
For one, MSSPs provide enterprise-grade cybersecurity services that offer comprehensive protection against cyberattacks without a huge upfront investment of time, money, or talent.
Because cybersecurity is their only business, MSSPs have access to the most experienced security expertise, the latest threat intelligence, and the most advanced cybersecurity tools and technologies available.
MSSPs also offer solutions that are flexible, scalable, and customisable to the unique needs of each client. This enables organisations to continuously adapt their cybersecurity defences to safeguard their digital assets, stay on top of new and evolving threats—and stay ahead of bad actors.
Where can I get help with choosing an MSSP?
Trend Service One™ is a complete outsourced managed security solution that helps organisations find and fix gaps in their defences, protect their IT infrastructures from new and emerging cyber threats, and hunt for, detect, and defend against cyberattacks.
Offering industry-leading threat detection and response, 24/7 monitoring of your attack surfaces, and proactive real-time assistance and expertise, Trend Service One takes care of all your cybersecurity needs for you, leaving you free to focus on doing what you do best.
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