All industries need their information to operate – losing sensitive data would mean the halt of productivity, the loss of your client’s trust, and up to millions of dollars in damages. In this age of rapid innovation in technology, being unprepared for these data breaches means being unprepared for business. Like any system, your organization’s cybersecurity should also be managed in a systematic manner to successfully achieve your goals.

           It is important to emphasize the essential role that data plays in any organization, and to know the steps that can be taken to secure it form hackers. This can be done by raising security awareness through explaining the role that a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) can have in cloud computing to help your business achieve its optimal level of cyber security.

What is cloud computing?

           Cloud computing is the term used to describe the use of hardware and software delivered usually through the internet. The “cloud” represents the infrastructure that enables the functions of the services. Cloud computing allows users to access all kinds of applications through the internet instead of downloading applications by themselves onto physical computers.

           It is based on a premise that the main computing takes place on a machine that is in a remote location, not on the one that the user is currently using. Remote servers called cloud servers collect the data during the process. This means that cloud servers don’t utilize the memory and computing power of the individual computer. Processes can run more smoothly and access is more secure because it is being monitored by the cloud.

What are the benefits of cloud computing?

           Businesses of all sizes from all industries are turning to cloud services be because of its efficiency, data security, and scalability. Cloud infrastructure reduces spending on purchasing and maintaining equipment. There is no need to invest in hardware, facilities, or hire an IT team for your operations. Cloud computing also offers many security features and provides baseline protection for any data that enters it.

           When it comes to data loss, cloud-based services provide quick data recovery because any information in the cloud remains accessible from any device with internet. Most organizations also add more security measures like MSSPs to tighten access to their information on the cloud.

           Different businesses have different IT needs, so the cloud’s scalability means that a business can quickly scale up or scale down their IT departments according to their needs. As a business grows, cloud capacity can be easily increased without the need to spend on physical infrastructure. The cloud’s flexibility means that in-house maintenance is not needed, and operational risks are minimized.

Why do businesses turn to MSSPs?

          MSSPs are third-party data security management services that outsource cybersecurity in a systematic and solutions-based manner. They can manage a business remotely because of cloud computing technology. Businesses choose to hire MSSPs because they specialize in providing a broad umbrella of security services that an in-house IT team cannot provide. MSSPs can deploy, configure, and/or manage anti-virus, anti-spam, firewalls, VPN, vulnerability scanning, threat intelligence, data loss prevention, and many more.

          MSSPs also provide risk assessments and gap analysis, policy development and risk management, solution implementation, security system management, security updates, and even training and education to employees. MSSPs make sure your cybersecurity is tailored to the needs of your business. Organizations choose MSSPs because of their lack of IT security skills – IT staff are too burdened with ensuring systems are operational, so they lack the expertise and time for managing security systems. Office teams are simply unable to guarantee the protection of data security.

What are the benefits of having an MSSP?

It boosts the performance of employees

           As mentioned, the workload of employees would be lessened because they don’t have to worry about their own data management. Employees can then focus on other major responsibilities for the growth and development of the business. When a business applies cloud security standards, their long-term overall performance is enhanced because they can be less worried about their data security.

It reduces overall security expenses

           It is more beneficial for a business to hire an MSSP instead of appointing internal security because it means spending more money on manpower. To avoid employee management issues, MSSPs provide a breather because a business only needs to pay a fixed rate and the MSSP will do the rest of the security management.

Cloud data monitoring is 24/7

            MSSPs don’t take a break – they keep a constant eye on your business data. They make sure that only authorized people can access the network and will alert the business of any suspicious access. Human mistakes are one of the main causes of data reaches, therefore an MSSP’s job is to make sure this is prevented by using additional security measures on top of the basic security that comes with cloud computing. When issues arise, an MSSP can help the client trace it and solve it quickly without taking a toll on daily work.

The right MSSP can help you reach your business goals.

            Cloud computing is on the rise annually because more organizations are seeing its impact on their production, security, teamwork, and revenue. An MSSP that is suitable for your business boosts the benefits even more.  Choosing an MSSP is like finding the right partner for your business. In highly regulated industries such as healthcare or financial services, companies should look at MSSPs with experience in their industry.

            Prior to hiring an MSSP, Security and IT teams should also identify what parts of the business can be outsourced and making sure that the budget and procedures are manageable. They should also list down what should happen in emergency situations, what MSSPs tasks are during those situations. The key is to know what the limits of a business are so MSSPs can help them overcome it and to provide the cybersecurity they need.

Sources:
https://www.cloudcodes.com/blog/managed-security-service-providers-in-cloud-computing.html fbclid=IwAR1btY8t5g6wo1_eUSHoJ2vvd9gAduV0clq_mI_myARAqPXRNTGKteQXfAs
https://www.globaldots.com/blog/cloud-computing-benefits
https://www.beyondtrust.com/blog/entry/mssp-managed-security-services-provider