Outsourcing Cybersecurity: Principles of Choice and Trust

A few years ago, cybersecurity outsourcing was seen as inorganic and often limited. Today, cybersecurity outsourcing is still a rare phenomenon. Instead, many companies prefer to take care of security issues themselves.

Almost everyone has heard of cybersecurity outsourcing, but the detailed content of this principle is still interpreted very differently in many companies.

In this article, I want to answer the following important questions: Are there any risks in outsourcing cybersecurity? Who is the service for? Under what conditions is it advantageous to outsource security? Finally, what is the difference between the MSSP and SecaaS models?

Why do companies outsource?

Outsourcing is the transfer of certain functions from your own company to another company. Why use outsourcing? The answer is obvious: companies must optimize their costs. They either do it because they don't have the necessary skills, or because it's more profitable to implement certain functions on the side. When companies need to implement complex technical systems and do not have the ability or skill to do so, outsourcing is a great solution.

As the number and types of threats continue to grow, businesses now need to better protect themselves. However, for several reasons, they often do not have a complete set of necessary technologies and are forced to attract third-party players.

Who needs to outsource cybersecurity?

Any business can use cybersecurity outsourcing. It all depends on what security goals and objectives are planned to be achieved with its help. The most obvious choice is for small businesses, where information security functions are of secondary importance to business functions due to a lack of funds or skills.

For large companies, the purpose of outsourcing is different. First, it helps them to solve information security tasks more efficiently. Usually they have a set of security problems, the solution of which is complex without outside help. Building DDoS protection is a good example. This type of attack has gained so much power that it is very difficult to do without the intervention of third-party services.

There are also economic reasons that lead large companies to outsource. Outsourcing helps them implement the desired function at a lower cost.

At the same time, outsourcing is not suitable for all businesses. In general, companies need to focus on their core business. In some cases, you can (and should) do it all on your own; in other cases, it is advisable to outsource part of the IS functions or to resort to 100% outsourcing. However, in general, I can say that information security is easier and more reliable to implement thanks to outsourcing.

What information security functions are most often outsourced?

It is best to outsource the implementation and operational functions. Sometimes it is possible to outsource certain functions that belong to the critical skills of information security services. This may involve managing rules, etc.

The reason for introducing information security outsourcing into a company is often the need to obtain DDoS protection, to ensure the secure operation of a corporate website, or to create a branch network. Additionally, the introduction of outsourcing often reflects a company's maturity, its key and soft skills, and the willingness to delegate and accept responsibilities in partnership with other companies.

The following features are popular among those already using outsourcing:

Vulnerability analysis Threat Response and Monitoring Penetration tests Information security audits Incident investigation DDoS Protection Outsourcing vs outstaffing

The difference between outsourcing and staffing is who manages program staff and resources. If the client does this, then it is called understaffing. However, if the solution is implemented on the vendor side, it is outsourcing.

In the event of subcontracting, the integrator provides its client with an employee or a dedicated team. Usually, these people are temporarily part of the client's team. During outsourcing, dedicated personnel continue to work within the service provider. This allows the client to contribute their skills, but staff members can be assigned to different projects simultaneously. Separate clients receive their share of outsourcing.

With outsourcing, the supplier's staff is fully occupied with a specific client's project...