When researching managed security services providers for your business, it is important to review the features of their offering that should include the following:
SIEM Monitoring
SIEM monitoring is the process of collecting, analyzing, and responding to security-related data in real-time. It’s a key component of a comprehensive security strategy, as it helps organizations detect and respond to advanced threats more quickly and effectively. SIEM tools collect data from a variety of sources, including network traffic, application logs, and user activity. This data is then analyzed in real-time to provide visibility into the organization’s IT environment. This visibility can be used to quickly identify and respond to security incidents, as well as improve the organization’s overall security posture.
Endpoint Detection & Response
Endpoint detection and response (EDR) is a type of security software that focuses on detecting and responding to security threats at the endpoint level. Endpoints are devices that are connected to a network, such as computers, laptops, servers, and other mobile devices. EDR takes a proactive approach to endpoint security, using advanced analytics and machine learning to detect suspicious activity, identify potential threats, and respond accordingly.
DNS Protection
DNS protection is an IT security measure that helps to protect against DNS hijacking and cache poisoning attacks. DNS, or Domain Name System, is a key element of the internet that helps translate website names into IP addresses. This process is essential for anyone who wants to visit a website, but it also makes DNS a potential target for cybercriminals. A DNS hijacking attack occurs when someone redirects traffic from a legitimate website to a malicious one. This can happen if a hacker gains access to a DNS server and changes the IP address that is associated with a particular domain name. Cache poisoning attacks are similar, but they involve maliciously altering the DNS records that are stored on local servers. This can cause users to be directed to fake websites even if they enter the correct URL. Both of these attacks can be very harmful, but DNS protection can help to thwart them. By using secure protocols and monitoring DNS activity, organizations can make it much harder for hackers to carry out these types of attacks.
RMM
RMM, or remote monitoring and management, is a type of software used by IT professionals to manage their networks and devices remotely. By using RMM, IT professionals can monitor their network for potential problems, deploy updates and patches, and troubleshoot issues without having to physically be onsite. This can save a significant amount of time and money, as well as improve the efficiency of the IT team. In addition, RMM can also help to reduce the risk of data breaches and other security threats by providing a central location for monitoring all devices and networks.
Anomaly Detection
Anomaly detection is the process of identifying unusual patterns in data. It has a wide range of applications, from fraud detection in financial services to the identification of cyber-attacks. Anomaly detection is typically used in situations where it is not possible to identify all outliers in advance, or where the distribution of data is not known. The goal of anomaly detection is to find instances that are significantly different from the rest of the data.
Managed Phishing Response
Phishing is a type of cyberattack that uses fraudulent emails or websites to trick users into sharing sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial data. Managed phishing response is a service that helps organizations quickly and effectively react to these attacks. The services usually include a team of security experts who will customize a response plan to minimize the impact to customers, employees, and the overall organization. The service typically includes disabling compromised accounts, resetting passwords, and notifying affected users as well as access to a 24/7 hotline and an online portal for reporting phishing attempts.
Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security system that requires more than one method of authentication from independent categories of credentials to verify the user’s identity for a login or other transaction. The most common factors used for MFA are:
- Something they know — like a password
- Something they have — like a security token
- Something they are — like a fingerprint.
By requiring multiple factors, MFA makes it much more difficult for unauthorized individuals to gain access to restricted data.
Email Hygiene
Email hygiene is the process of keeping your email account clean and free of spam, malware, and other threats. Two of the most common practices in protecting against business email compromise are:
- Email Filtering — can help to block spam or dangerous emails from reaching your inbox.
- Business Email Security — can help to protect your account from phishing attacks and other types of fraud.
Dark Web Monitoring
The dark web is a section of the internet that can only be accessed using special software because it is not indexed by search engines. Due to its anonymous nature, it is often used for illegal activity, such as the sale of drugs, weapons, and cybercrime.
Dark web monitoring is the process of monitoring the dark web for outlawed or harmful activity. This can be done manually, by searching for specific keywords or terms, or automatically, using software that crawls the dark web for suspicious activity. Dark web monitoring can help to protect businesses and individuals from being victimized by identity theft or other crimes.
Cloud Security
Cloud-based security services are the process of securing data, applications, and infrastructure that are stored on or accessible through the cloud. It is a relatively new field that is constantly evolving to keep up with the changing landscape of cloud computing.
The most common types of cloud security services include identity and access management, data protection, incident response, and governance. These services work together to provide a comprehensive security solution for enterprises that use cloud computing.
- Identity and access management (IAM) is used to control who has access to what data and applications.
- Data protection includes encryption, data backup, and disaster recovery.
- Incident response helps to identify and investigate security breaches.
- Governance ensures that all policies and procedures are followed to meet compliance requirements.
Cloud security services are essential for enterprises that want to embrace the cloud without compromising on security.
Managed Backups and Redundancy
Backups and redundancy are two important concepts when it comes to data storage. Backups refer to the copies of data that are made in case the original data is lost or corrupted. Redundancy refers to having multiple copies of data stored in different locations. This ensures that if one copy is lost or corrupted, there is another copy that can be used.
Managed backups and redundancy are services that are provided by companies, like MSSPs, that specialize in data storage. These companies create backups of data and store them in multiple locations. They also monitor the data to ensure that it remains intact and can be quickly restored if necessary. This provides peace of mind for businesses that need to store large amounts of data.
Reporting
Managed security service providers offer an important service to businesses by monitoring and managing their network security and one of the most important aspects of a security provider’s job is to provide timely and accurate reports to their clients. This allows businesses to stay informed about the status of their security, make well-informed decisions about where to allocate their resources, and identify trends and potential areas of improvement.
MSSPs typically generate two types of reports for their clients:
- Activity reports provide an overview of the MSSP‘s activities on behalf of the client, including the number of incidents detected and their responses, as well as any changes made to the client’s security posture.
- Forensic reports are more detailed, and often include information such as evidence of intrusion attempts, malicious code, and data exfiltration.
MSSPs use a variety of tools and techniques to generate these reports, which help their clients to understand the current state of their security posture and make informed decisions about their security strategy.
Cybersecurity Training
Organizations that rely on IT infrastructure to conduct business are vulnerable to cyberattacks. They should provide cybersecurity training designed to help employees understand and implement security protocols within their organization, however, many lack the internal resources to develop and deliver effective instructional programs. As a result, they often turn to a managed security services provider for help.
MSSPs offer a variety of cybersecurity training services, including awareness training, technical training, and compliance training. Awareness training helps employees understand the importance of cybersecurity and the potential consequences of a data breach. Technical training covers topics such as password management, email security, and data encryption. Compliance training ensures that employees are aware of the legal requirements for protecting customer data.
By working with an MSSP, organizations can be confident that their employees are receiving the latest and most comprehensive cybersecurity training available.
Vulnerability Assessments
A vulnerability assessment is a systematic process for identifying, classifying, and prioritizing weaknesses in computer systems, applications, and networks. The goal of a vulnerability assessment is to identify gaps that could be employed by attackers and to prioritize these liabilities based on the potential impact of an exploit.
Vulnerability assessments are an essential part of any organization’s security posture, and they should be conducted on a regular basis. They typically involve the following steps:
- Identifying assets to be included in the scope of the assessment.
- Identifying potential threats to these assets.
- Identifying vulnerabilities that could be exploited by these threats.
- Classifying the severity of each vulnerability.
- Prioritizing the remediation of each vulnerability.
The precise approach used in a given assessment will depend on the specific needs and resources of the organization.
Penetration Testing
Penetration testing, also known as “pen testing”, “security testing,” or “ethical hacking” is the process of simulating an attack on a computer system in order to evaluate its security. It is a form of security audit that is becoming increasingly common as businesses look to protect themselves from cyber threats.
The goal of penetration testing is to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by an attacker, assess the impact of such an attack, and provide recommendations for mitigating them.
In order to carry out a successful penetration test, testers need to have a deep understanding of both security principles and hacking techniques. They also need to be well-versed in the tools and technologies that are commonly used by hackers.
Simulating regular penetration tests can strengthen an organization’s security posture by identifying and fixing weaknesses in the environment before they are exploited by real-world attackers.
Application Whitelisting
Application whitelisting is a security technique that allows only authorized applications to run on a computer or network. Whitelisting can be used to protect against malicious software or viruses and can prevent unauthorized users from accessing sensitive data. However, it is important to note that application whitelisting is not a perfect solution, and it can sometimes cause problems if not configured correctly. For example, if an approved program is updated without also updating the whitelist, it may no longer be able to run. As such, application whitelisting should be used as part of a broader security strategy.
Firewall Management
A firewall is a system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network. They can be hardware-based or software-based, and they are often used in conjunction with each other. Hardware-based firewalls are typically installed between a network and the Internet, while software-based firewalls are installed on individual computers.
Firewall management is the process of configuring and maintaining firewall settings and includes adding or removing rules, setting up access control lists, and monitoring traffic logs. It is a critical part of network security, as it helps to ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive data.
Encryption
Encryption is a technique used to protect data or communication from unauthorized access and involves transforming the data into a form that cannot be read or understood by anyone who does not have the appropriate key. There are a variety of encryption algorithms available, and the level of security provided by each algorithm varies, so it is important to choose one that is appropriate for the level of security required. When implemented properly, encryption can be an effective way to protect data and communications from unauthorized access.
Patch Management
Patch management is the process of identifying, acquiring, installing, and verifying patches for software products. The goal is to ensure that they are up-to-date and have the latest security fixes installed. By keeping software current, patch management helps to reduce vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cybercriminals. While patch management can be a time-consuming and challenging process, it is essential for ensuring the security of both individual computers as well as an entire network. By staying informed about the latest security threats and promptly applying patches, organizations can help to protect their systems from attack.
Incident Response
Incident response is the process of identifying, containing, and mitigating security incidents that can cause identity theft, financial loss, and reputational damage. The goal is to minimize the damage they can cause and to resume normal operations as quickly as possible. These response plans should be designed in advance so that they can be executed quickly and efficiently in the event of a security incident. The steps usually include the following
- Identify and investigate: The first step in incident response is to identify the incident. This can be done by monitoring network activity for unusual patterns or by reviewing logs for suspicious activity.
- Contain and eradicate: Once the incident has been identified, it is important to contain it to prevent it from spreading. This can be done by isolating affected systems and disconnecting them from the network.
- Recovery and lessons learned: Finally, the incident must be mitigated. This involves taking steps to restore normal operations and to prevent future incidents from occurring.
Security Operations Center
A security operations center (SOC) is a centralized unit that provides 24/7 surveillance, detection, and response services for an organization’s network and data. The team is responsible for managing an organization’s security posture, developing and maintaining the organization’s security policies and procedures, monitoring and investigating cybersecurity incidents, as well as taking steps to prevent future attacks. The SOC typically consists of security analysts, engineers, and incident responders who work together to protect an organization’s information assets.
- Security Analysts — responsible for monitoring security events and identifying potential threats
- Incident Responders — responsible for investigating and responding to security incidents
- Security Engineers — responsible for designing and implementing security solutions.
The SOC team works closely with other departments within the organization to ensure that all security concerns are addressed in a timely and effective manner. A SOC is a critical component of an organization’s overall security strategy and when properly implemented, it can help to protect the organization’s most valuable assets.