In today's digital age, cyber security threats are becoming more sophisticated, and organizations are under constant attack. Different and new skills are required to respond to the ever-changing cyber security landscape. However, there exists a growing IT cyber security skills gap, creating challenges for companies. Organizations are struggling to find qualified cyber security staff to fill these skills gaps, which often contribute to service gaps like misconfigured platforms or unattended vulnerabilities.
Small- and medium-sized organizations face significant challenges when it comes to the evaluation and acquisition of the right technology in alignment with overall corporate goals. Proper training, deployment, and ongoing maintenance of next-generation security tools can be negatively impacted with potentially disastrous results. It is also difficult for companies to stay knowledgeable about the evolving cyber security landscape and up to date on new and evolving cyber threats. Upskilling their current overworked and busy staff is also a major obstacle.
The IT cyber security skills shortage is having a major impact on organizations. Organizations that are still looking for qualified cyber security professionals are at increased risk of cyberattacks. A recent survey by the Ponemon Institute found that organizations with a shortage of cyber security skills are more likely to experience a data breach. Many organizations fit this profile, as according to Cyberseek, there are approximately 1.1 million employed cyber security professionals but more than 700,000 unfilled positions.
Furthermore, companies also need to address cyber security tool complexity brought on by too many vendors. According to Enterprise Strategy Group, in a recent survey, nearly a third of respondents viewed advancing the use of next-generation technology as their highest priority. These companies must deliver IT security services that align with corporate needs and accelerate corporate growth objectives. This is where managed services providers come in.
Pay for Outcomes, Not Hours
Companies increasingly measure success based on outcomes, and achieving those outcomes requires a focus on core business processes rather than spending time and effort on non-core functions like maintaining an IT infrastructure or an up-to-date cyber security program. Companies can hire a managed services provider (MSP) to deliver those outcomes and pay based on outcomes, not time spent on tasks. An MSP pays close attention to the security market and stays current on threats and attacks. They are experts on top cyber security tools and how to deploy and manage next-generation security technologies.
Managed services providers focus on managing and monitoring cyber security functionality and deliver outcomes, allowing companies to go deeper on their core competencies and focus on their business. Organizations can offload the security work they don’t want to specialize in, freeing up their time and resources to focus on what they do best.
Benefits you can gain from working with an MSP include:
- Expertise: MSPs have the expertise and experience to protect organizations from cyberattacks. They stay up-to-date on the latest threats and attack vectors and have the resources to deploy the latest security technologies.
- Reliability: MSPs can provide a reliable and consistent level of cyber security services. They have the resources to monitor and respond to security threats 24/7, 365 days a year.
- Cost-effectiveness: MSPs can provide cyber security services at a cost-effective price. They have economies of scale that allow them to offer lower prices than most organizations can afford to pay for in-house cyber security staff.
If your organization is struggling to find qualified cyber security professionals, or if you don't have the resources to develop and maintain a strong cyber security team, then an MSP may be the right solution for you. An MSP can provide you with the expertise, reliability, and cost-effectiveness you need to protect your organization from cyberattacks.
How to Choose the Right MSP
When choosing an MSP, there are several factors you need to consider, including:
- The MSP's experience and expertise: Make sure the MSP has the experience and expertise to protect your organization from cyberattacks.
- The MSP’s breadth and depth: Ensure your MSP can manage the cyber security portfolio of industry-leading vendors – not just point products.
- The MSP's reliability: Make sure the MSP can provide a reliable and consistent level of cyber security services.
- The MSP's cost-effectiveness: Make sure the MSP can provide cyber security services at a cost-effective price.
While the IT cyber security staff shortage creates challenges for companies, a solution exists. Partnering with ConvergeOne to address these challenges is a solid first step. ConvergeOne offers cost-effective managed services for companies to achieve their desired cyber security outcomes. By focusing on their core competencies, companies can better position themselves for growth and success in today's ever-changing cyber security landscape.
Want to learn more about how you can improve risk management while maintaining compliance with cyber security managed services? Register now to attend our webinar on May 31st.
