All businesses are aware of the importance of cybersecurity. Without it, a company is vulnerable to attacks and the theft of private information. One way to protect a business from cyberattacks is to hire security staff. Another option is to outsource. Security services can now be outsourced over the cloud using what's known as the security as a service model.
So what is security as a service and should your business use it?
What Is Security as a Service?
Security as a Service (SECaaS) is a method of outsourcing cybersecurity over the cloud. Providers offer a range of cybersecurity services on a subscription model.
Most providers offer all of the services necessary to protect a business and therefore offer a valid alternative to hiring in-house security staff. Many providers allow you to choose smaller services individually too. Due to this flexibility, it's also possible to use it as a supplement to in house security.
What Are the Advantages of SECaaS?
SECaaS offers a range of advantages over hiring security staff or using IT staff for security purposes. Here are a few reasons why businesses use SECaaS providers.
Access to the Best Staff
SECaaS provides access to security experts. If you're currently relying on IT staff to perform cybersecurity, a SECaaS provider may offer a higher level of expertise. Anyone working at a SECaaS provider works solely on security and nothing else. Because of this, they are likely to have increased knowledge of the latest hacking techniques.
Access to the Best Software
SECaaS providers use the newest software products. Using a SECaaS provider means benefiting from these products without having to purchase them or train staff to use them. Cybersecurity is constantly changing and so the latest software, including security tools for remote workers, offers better protection.
Easy to Scale Up and Down
SECaaS providers offer a flexible service, allowing an organization to only purchase the specific services that they need. This is not only useful for businesses on a budget; it also allows a business to scale their security up and down easily. This is ideal for companies whose security needs are changing as their business does.
Cheaper Than On-Premises Staff
SECaaS is cheaper than hiring security staff. This model provides an alternative to paying the salary of full time staff and doesn't require space on the business premises. This makes SECaaS particularly popular with small businesses. It is also ideal for those who need a particular service but don't want to hire an additional staff member to provide it.
Reduced Pressure on IT Staff
SECaaS is often used as a way to outsource tasks that would otherwise be performed by existing staff members. This allows those staff to work on other things.
What Is Included in SECaaS?
Most SECaaS providers allow businesses to choose the specific services that they want. So what services do most SECaaS providers offer?
Security Assessments
SECaaS typically includes an assessment of your current security policies. This will look at your security software, network architecture, and employee training. It will then tell you how protected you are and what can be improved.
Threat Intelligence
Threat intelligence is the collection of information about the potential threats that your business may face. This will tell you what type of preventive measures to implement.
Monitoring
All SECaaS providers offer monitoring of your entire network. This allows you to identify any intruders and understand when anybody unauthorized might attempt to access your network.
Intrusion Management
SECaaS provides security experts which will react to any successful network intrusions. They are responsible for stopping intrusions and getting the attacker out.
Disaster Recovery
Successful attacks can cause significant harm to a business. Many SECaaS providers offer disaster recovery which allows you to quickly get back up and running safely after a successful attack.
Web Security
Web security protects all of your websites and other public facing assets from attack, preventing hacks and keeping your sites online.
Antivirus Management
Many SECaaS providers offer to manage your antivirus software, ensuring that all computers have antivirus installed and are kept updated.
Security Information and Event Management
SECaaS often utilize Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) software to monitor and study your network logs. This is useful for understanding and preventing intrusions.
Who Should Use SECaaS?
SECaaS is particularly suitable to small businesses who don't have the resources necessary to hire security staff. Due to its flexibility, it is also useful for companies that are increasing or decreasing in size. It's much easier to order new SECaaS services than it is to hire new staff, particularly experts in the field of cybersecurity.
SECaaS is also used by large businesses who want to reduce the workload being performed by their security or IT teams. It is particularly suitable to any that rely on IT teams for cybersecurity rather than dedicated security experts. IT staff generally don't have the expertise necessary to protect against the newest threats.
How to Choose a SECaaS Provider
Due to the popularity of the SECaaS model, there are now many providers to choose from. Here's what to look for:
Availability
Your provider should be available at all times. Hackers don't just target businesses during office hours and your provider should be accessible for both questions and security incidents 24 hours a day.
Services Offered
Providers offer a range of different services and many allow you to choose individual ones to keep costs down. Prior to selecting a provider, you should know what services you need and choose accordingly.
Vendors Used
Different providers use different security software and the protection you get is dependent on the quality of that software. Prior to signing up to a provider, you should ask what software is included in their service.
SECaaS Is an Option for All Businesses
SECaaS providers offer a wide range of security services on a subscription model. This increasingly popular because it's flexible, affordable, and in many cases, offers identical protection to full time staff.
Some businesses use SECaaS as their only means of protection. This allows savings in both salary and office space. But it can also be used alongside security staff to reduce workload and to provide additional services.