The Information Security Industry: Understanding and Evaluating Service Providers

Information Security has become an integral part of business operations for organizations of all sizes and industries. A robust information security program helps protect your technology assets and physical space from malicious attacks outside and inside your organization.

Comprehensive Information Security services require specialized skills and extensive industry experience, making who manages your information security as important as how they handle it. Therefore, outsourcing their cybersecurity needs makes more sense for many organizations than adding this workload onto their internal teams. You get all the access and benefits of experienced professionals without hiring full-time specialists. Plus, your team is free to focus on your business with the confidence that your IT systems are well protected.

The important thing is to choose a provider that ranks high in experience and expertise in security risk management. Our team of industry-certified penetration testers can help you protect all aspects of information access, both technically and physically. Call us at (952) 836-2770 or schedule a free consultation.

Types of Cybersecurity Providers

Whether you partially or entirely outsource your digital information security, three main types of information security providers offer different benefits and trade-offs.

Managed Service Providers (MSP) for IT

Security is part of the package of information technology services you get from an MSP. This approach gives you one-stop shopping; you know whom to talk to about all IT security issues. It is less expensive than hiring a specialized security service, but you generally will get a lower level of dedicated expertise. As a result, getting security through an MSP can work well for small businesses and organizations with moderate security needs.

Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP)

An MSSP provider specializes in information systems security. You get a system protection package from cybersecurity professionals who know the subject well. Packages are generally available at multiple levels. If you have high-security requirements, a good MSSP should be able to satisfy them.

Security Consultants

Security consulting firms work closely with you to assess your needs and provide unique services to meet them. Cybersecurity professionals will be available to answer questions and address issues quickly. Hiring a firm of this kind will cost more, but it's worth it if you have very high information security needs.

What Information Security Providers Do For You

Whichever type of information security management provider you choose, the quality of the security measures is essential. A strong cybersecurity firm should seek to protect your organization's most valuable assets from unauthorized access and security breaches. Information Security providers should also:

• Reduce the risk of data breaches and attacks in IT systems.
• Apply security controls to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.
• Prevent disruption of services, e.g., denial-of-service attacks.
• Protect IT systems and networks from exploitation by outsiders.
• Keep downtime to a minimum so productivity stays high.
• Ensure business continuity through data protection of information assets.
• Provide peace of mind by keeping confidential information safe from security threats.

What to Look for When Choosing a Cybersecurity Provider

The critical question is how well a provider does these things. Look for positive indicators such as these:

• Technical expertise in systems and data security.
• Reliable and prompt customer communication and support.
• Comprehensive coverage, including desktop devices, IoT, and smartphones.
• Careful handling of sensitive data.
• A record of successful protection of their customers' information assets.
• References confirming the quality of service.

When talking to a cybersecurity provider, ask lots of pointed questions. Reliable information security professionals will be happy to answer them.

Questions to Consider When Choosing a Cybersecurity Partner

• Are they experts on security systems and proficient in solutions, services, and processes?
• What examples can they give of successful outcomes? What customer problems have they solved? Can they share success stories about projects they've managed?
• Do they understand your business's information security policies and show interest in learning your unique requirements?
• Do they constantly update their knowledge to keep up with the latest trends in cybercrime and malware?
• Do they have an eye for detail that lets them solve unusual problems?
• Can they explain technical IT security issues in terms that laypeople understand?
• Can they provide analogies that help non-technical people to understand information security management?
• Are they current on the latest technical issues regarding threats, attacks, and security measures?
• Do they take a collaborative approach, working with you to achieve your business goals?
• What assurances of trust do they offer?
• What measures do they take to protect your confidential information?
• Can they provide references to help you gauge their performance and effectiveness at system and data protection?

The Importance of Information Security

Every organization needs protection against cyber attacks and security threats. Cybercrime and malware are constant threats to anyone with an Internet presence, and data breaches are time-consuming and expensive. The services of a trustworthy information security provider will mitigate digital information risks and keep systems running without disruption.

Not all organizations require the same kind or degree of data protection. You have to choose a provider you can work with daily that will meet your business's needs. A solid relationship with a security services provider gives your organization greater productivity, fewer disruptions, and a better reputation.

Free Consultation with Our Cyber Security Experts

We're ready to help you ensure the quality of your cybersecurity. RedTeam Security penetration testing services will let you better protect all aspects of your sensitive information against online and physical threats. In addition, we'll provide you with a free consultation and recommendations. Contact us online, or call (952) 836-2770.