5 Essential Questions: How to Choose the best Managed Security Provider For your Business

Why Choosing the Right Managed Security Services Provider Matters

Choosing the right MSSP can ensure that your organization benefits from specialized expertise, cost-effective solutions, and comprehensive security measures. These assets will ultimately enhance your overall security posture and operational efficiency. It is the responsibility of MSSPs to have access to the latest threat intelligence and security technologies, allowing them to detect and respond to advanced threats more effectively. MSSPs can also ensure regulatory compliance, reducing the risk of penalties and reputational damage. 

The real selling point, however, is the round-the-clock monitoring that allows organizations added reassurance at predictable costs. Professional MSSPs should also operate on the principle of continuous improvement. When an organization’s security is in the hand of capable professionals, the chances of expensive data breaches occurring lowers, while the likelihood of regulatory compliance and consumer confidence increases.   

Questions to Ask Managed Security Services Providers

Starting the selection process by asking the key questions below can ensure the provider meets your organization's specific needs:

What do I really need from an MSSP to help improve operational efficiency?

An MSSP can be a key complement to your security efforts, but only you know your business and clients. To uncover how an MSSP can enhance your operational efficiency, it is important to first be clear-eyed about your organization's pain points. This will help to eliminate unnecessary engagements, by revealing the specific skillset required from an MSSP. Knowing the needs of your organization, as well as its growth plans, will focus your questions about onboarding, service level agreements, service level objectives and security processes to achieve tangible results.

Does the MSSP have experience in my specific industry?

First-hand knowledge of business functions, regulations and trends for your specific industry is a distinct advantage for MSSPs. By understanding your industry, third-party security services providers can identify the tools, software, and layers of security that are industry standards. They may also be able to save your company money, by identifying which services are non-negotiables, and those that may just add unnecessary layers of complexity to your network security operations. Evolving compliance needs for your specific industry should also be on your MSSP’s list for continuous research and improvement. An experienced MSSP will be able to provide references and information about their certifications.

How can an MSSP help my organization achieve reliability?

Maintaining disciplined documentation is crucial for enhancing reliability. Therefore, it's important to ask how a prospective MSSP will document, respond and communicate process improvements. For consistency in service quality, it is essential that processes are repeatable. Whether the services are automated, or manpowered, MSSPs must guarantee that security services must be reliable, by having a contingency plan in place if the principle for a project is unavailable, especially if your organization is already understaffed. Ensure that a trained expert from the MSSP will always be on hand, who is fully familiar with your organization.

How equipped is the MSSP to help reduce my organization’s risk?

One of your organization’s strongest assets is its data. When searching for an MSSP, it is important to ask about specific real-world instances where they have handled security breaches. This will help to ensure that they can fully meet your security requirements; evaluating and fortifying your organization's weaknesses. Be sure to ask about their capabilities beyond your required needs to be sure that their services are scalable and can keep pace with your goals.

To what extent are the MSSP’s services automated?

Automation is essential for enhancing security. To evaluate an MSSP's effectiveness, inquire about their automation strategies and capabilities. Without automation, an MSSP may struggle to detect repetitive patterns.

Protecting your organization’s data requires skill and experience. Asking the right questions of potential Managed Security Services Providers can lay the foundation for a robust security posture. By establishing your organization’s security needs, and then exploring the potential security partner’s industry experience, real-world security successes, contingency plans and automation, you will be on your way to identifying the best MSSP for your business.
To learn more about how industry-leading MSSP’s can revolutionize your security service, contact a Rewterz expert.