Checklist for Selecting a Managed Security Services Provider

Companies will soon spend more than $100 billion just on IT security. The importance of cybersecurity is immense in a market that is yet to completely fathom the dangers and their vulnerability to cyber threats. Selecting an MSSP (Managed Security Services Provider) is an important business decision that needs to be taken seriously.

60% of SMB white collars maintained they did not have a comprehensive IT security prevention strategy and more than 65% were targeted by cyberattacks.

You should approach reputed managed IT service provider in New Jersey or elsewhere with a proven track record in cybersecurity deliverables now. Use this MSSP checklist to narrow down your choices.

Expertise and Experience

Cybersecurity attacks are increasing 3 times faster than the market can create experts to deal with them. This is also a vital reason why you are more likely to find more MSSPs than experts to hire.

There’s a reason why there’s a 250% rise in cybersecurity positions between 2014-2021 capped at 3.5 million empty jobs.

While shortlisting your managed services provider in NJ or elsewhere for IT security, make sure to check their onboard personnel for cybersecurity expertise and on-field experience.

Range of Managed Services

Although leading MSSPs provide dedicated IT security and can be considered the first-choice for any SMB, a wiser decision would be to opt for an MSP who can offer much more than just cybersecurity but has the necessary expertise & experience onboard.

When you refer to an MSSP for IT security while already having a managed IT services provider delivering other IT needs, you’re simply asking the former to keep an eye on the latter. That would be unnecessary as any leading MSP will have security protocols in place to deal with cyberattacks.

You are only paying two entities to do the same job.

Instead, refer to an MSSP who can be your MSP as well, providing you managed networking and infrastructure services, wireless and mobility services, and Cybersecurity services.

Any reputed MSSP providing dedicated IT support in NJ or elsewhere as a core business is worth shortlisting as your MSSP.

Dedicated Security Portal

You know you have brought in a leading MSSP to save you from cyberattacks if they have a specific security portal and platform such as a SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) to monitor your network remotely and have multiple failsafe protocols for varied scenarios.

If you are investing in an MSSP, know that you can expect more than anti-virus and anti-malware. What your business requires is a cybersecurity plan and human interventions to track and eliminate the attacks from their source.

This is only possible through a dedicated security portal that is connected to your network but minus the apps and integrations you use for your business operations. Check if your shortlisted MSSP provides such services.

Personalized IT Security Deliverables

Your first-choice MSSP should provide customized (personalized) IT security deliverables that are completely in tune with your current business process and future prospects.

Always opt for a managed IT services provider who can adapt for your business and provide IT deliverables that cause the least friction to your business process.

Expect a leading MSSP to provide necessary software security patches for your currently deployed set of apps and integrations that are central to your core business operations.

Business Resources

Providing cybersecurity as managed IT services in New Jersey or anywhere else demands that the service provider has sufficient resources at its disposal.

Check whether your MSSP has the necessary workforce and finances to provide industry-grade cybersecurity specifics such as behavior analysis & pattern discovery to neutralize threats before they can attack, 24/7 monitoring and RPA to prevent network breach from any entry point, etc. These are examples of essential services you should expect from a leading MSSP.

Moreover, these are only some of the basic cybersecurity fundamentals that can help secure your business against real-time cyberattacks.

Choosing the right MSSP to handle your business’s IT security is a big decision to make and one that is better off made today than tomorrow. This checklist is not just to help you choose your MSSP but also to help you know cybersecurity deliverables you should expect from a managed security services provider.