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Top 5 Criteria for Selecting a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP)

19.10.2020 Read
Top 5 Criteria for Selecting the Correct MSSP

Does your organization consider working with a MSSP? Don’t make a commitment before reading our article about how to choose the right MSSP for you!

An organization might choose to collaborate with a MSSP (Managed Security Service Provider) for many reasons including but not limited to:

  • Limited IT Budget
  • Not having the team / people for IT security
  • Trying to avoid the gargantuan task of keeping up with the new developments in cybersecurity and novel, sophisticated threats

Regardless of the reason why you decide to work with an MSSP, you must be very careful and fastidious when selecting a MSSP for your organization. In this article, we will discuss what you need to consider before making a commitment.

What is an MSSP?

MSSP stands for Managed Security Services Provider.

In today’s world, we are almost dependent on the technology and internet to conduct our businesses. That is why we also desperately need cybersecurity measures to keep our organization and sensitive information safe from the prying eyes of intruders, hackers and cyber criminals. Some organizations opt for creating an in-house cybersecurity team for this purpose and some organizations opt for hiring a Managed Security Services Provider.

An MSSP can be in-house or work remotely, often via cloud services. Moreover, some Cloud Managed Security Service Providers specialize in certain subbranches in order to offer a better, more thorough service.

You can opt for hiring an MSSP for many reasons including the lack of talent in house, low IT security budget and more. Whatever the reason is, hiring an MSSP can be very beneficial for your organization. First of all, MSSPs offer expert and experienced staff. Moreover, you can conduct your business processes as usual without having to worry about cyberthreats or executional and/or management decisions regarding the cybersecurity measures of your organization. In other words, MSSPs relieve your burden significantly.

How to choose the right MSSP: Top 5 criteria

The decision to go with a MSSP is a relatively easy one. Yet choosing the right MSSP is rather tricky. That is why we offer a thorough but easy to follow guideline for your organization regarding this decision. Below you can find the top 5 criteria for choosing a cloud MSSP for your enterprise.

  1. Is the MSSP know enough about data protection?

The most critical aspect of an MSSP is how they handle the data. Do they know enough about data protection? Do they understand what your organization’s needs are regarding data protection?

  • Are they qualified?

Make sure that you partner with an expert MSSP. Make sure that the engineers and cybersecurity professionals they hire are experts in their field.

  • Can they help you stay on top?

Each and every single day, the cybersecurity environment changes. In order to keep your information and organization safe, your MSSP must keep up with the advancements, new developments and advanced threats. Make sure that your MSSP offers unique solutions that can protect your organization both today and tomorrow.

  • How do they handle your data?

Your MSSP must know how to handle sensitive data but also they must act on this vast knowledge. Be sure that your MSSP is very transparent in regard to how they handle your data. Moreover, don’t forget to inform them about what your sensitive data is, where it comes from, where it is stored and how important it is.

  • What are their references?

Before committing to an MSSP, carefully check their references. Whom do they work with? Are their clients happy with their services?