Picking the right managed security services to meet your needs isn’t a process that happens overnight. You’ll want to look at as many vendors as possible, familiarizing yourself with them to find the right fit. You need a trustworthy partner with sufficient resources, industry expertise, and a strategic approach that aligns and complements your needs.
They must also understand your vision and objectives and use proper technology to help you achieve maximum growth in areas where security is needed the most. The quality of service small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) get, however, depends on the managed services provider (MSP). That’s why developing your own qualifications is fundamental to choosing the right one.
Make sure to ask the following questions:
In today’s hectic world, there’s no such thing as “normal business hours” anymore, which means no time for SMBs to keep up with the shifting sands of technological trends. Because of this, you should hire a managed security provider to help you add capabilities that you don’t have. You definitely need one if you:
At a minimum, you need basic cybersecurity solutions like antivirus software, patch management, network and cloud monitoring, and backup and disaster recovery to ensure that your entire network –- not just your endpoint devices — is being managed and maintained.
Make sure that your managed security provider provides these services on a continuous basis using centralized processes that offer visibility across and control over your systems.
A good provider will customize a package that fits your needs. They should be able to offer service plans that are flexible, scalable, and affordable. From the get-go, they should inform you about their different levels of service and be transparent with any extra costs or fees for say, after-hours support.
Your data is your business’s crown jewel, so it’s only logical that you ask how the security services provider can protect your valuable information. They must offer a complete and far-reaching data security solution that extends from up in the cloud to ground-level endpoints such as computers and mobile devices.
Additionally, the best managed security providers have a high-quality, finely tuned command center that is fully loaded with the latest technologies. With such components, you can tap into the command center, test solutions before they’re implemented, and reduce the “keeping the lights on” workload.
Asking the right questions leads to better decision-making. Take the time to review your considerations to find the security support model that best suits your business.
