How managed security services add value to small businesses

Cybercrime is a constant source of fear for business leaders across all industries. But instead of being constantly bogged down by the often-overwhelming challenges of information security, privacy, and compliance, companies are now outsourcing cybersecurity to third-party managed services providers.

Managed security service providers like Fidelis help ease the burden by offering cutting-edge solutions to new and emerging problems. They may provide their services in-house or remotely, adding value to your business by augmenting your existing resources. These services may include risk management, incident response, and setting up a robust, scalable security infrastructure.

Here are five ways this approach keeps businesses out of harm’s way:

#1. Keep ahead of the threats

Cyberthreats are constantly evolving. Just a decade ago, most businesses only had to install firewalls and antivirus software to defend against computer viruses. Today, as businesses tap into cloud and mobile technologies and the Internet of Things, there are even more ways an attacker can infiltrate business systems. They can hijack accounts through brute-force attacks, render systems offline with denial-of-service attacks, and hold data hostage using ransomware. Outsourcing some or all of your security requirements gives you access to expertise and cutting-edge solutions necessary to protect against new and emerging threats as well as the old and established ones.

#2. Innovate without worry

In-house staff often have to dedicate a huge portion of their time protecting business data, which is hardly the best use of their skills. Those who weren’t specifically trained in cybersecurity are forced to find clunky workarounds to convoluted security processes instead of doing what they do best.

By partnering with a managed security provider, your in-house staff can focus on innovation and strategic planning without living in constant fear that they’ll be the targets of the next big cyberattack. They’ll also be able to work more efficiently since they don’t have to deal with complex security issues. This way, you can innovate faster and keep ahead of the competition without facing a constant stream of roadblocks.

#3. Adopt a multilayered defense

Considering that cybercriminals are attacking businesses from every angle, it’s more important than ever to have multiple layers of defense that lies beyond antivirus software. But unless you have the budget of a large enterprise, implementing a multilayered defense on your own can be prohibitively expensive.

Top-notch providers identify your company’s vulnerabilities and recommend robust protections that meet your budget. They can deploy advanced threat prevention systems to guard your network, endpoint security tools for your devices, multifactor authentication and encryption systems for your data, and much more. What’s more, they can back up your data and proactively manage your systems for a small monthly fee. This dramatically increases your organization’s security, all while keeping costs under control.

#4. Boost security awareness

Information security has long been considered a technical problem and thus relegated to the realms of the IT department, despite the fact that human error is the biggest cause of data breaches. Most cybersecurity incidents stem from within, typically involving an employee falling for a social engineering scam like phishing. This is why every employee who uses any internet-connected system should be aware of the risks they create.

Third-party security services providers offer expert guidance when it comes to training employees. They help create security awareness campaigns and suggest exercises to promote good security habits. Some may even provide social engineering simulations so employees can learn from and experience real-world attacks.

#5. Streamline risk management

With the amount of data handled by today’s companies doubling every couple of years, and infrastructures becoming more disparate and complex, the risk of human error increases substantially too.

Outsourcing security also means providers ensure your processes, systems, and employees are following best practices in accordance with industry regulations like HIPAA and PCI DSS. They’ll even automate risk management with cutting-edge tools, to reduce the amount of time and money spent on meeting compliance obligations.

Fidelis is a managed IT provider in Tukwila and Renton that can protect you from both internal and external threats. Consult with our experts today to learn what you need to keep your business safe and sound.