Why Managed Security Services are Better than In-House for SMBs in Canada

In today's fast-paced world, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Canada face a tough decision: should they manage their security in-house or partner with a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP)? Here’s why MSSPs often come out on top:

Virtual CISO Services

Security isn’t something you can set and forget; it’s an ongoing process that needs everyone in the organization to be on board. That’s where Virtual CISO (vCISO) services come in. A vCISO acts as your go-to security expert, giving you access to top-notch executive security expertise without the need to hire a full-time CISO.

A vCISO can help you with:

• Deciding when to invest more in security

• Figuring out which security policies and procedures will benefit your organization the most

• Identifying emerging threats that could put your business at risk

• Keeping your security strong during complex projects like cloud migrations

• Staying ahead of changes to compliance regulations

• Preparing for compliance or data privacy audits

• Organizing cybersecurity training and continuous updates for employees

A good vCISO knows the ins and outs of compliance requirements and has the technical know-how to implement security controls that fit the current threat landscape. MSSPs offering vCISO services give companies of all sizes access to this valuable expertise.

Specialized Experience at Scale

Partnering with an MSSP is a smart move for many companies for two main reasons:

• MSSPs bring specialized experience at scale, allowing organizations to tap into expert security services without building an in-house team.

• More and more companies are realizing that good security is good business.

Cybersecurity risks are changing faster than ever. Organizations are facing increased regulatory scrutiny in both the United States and the European Union, with new rules like the U.S. SEC Data Breach rule and the EU’s NIS2 Directive. Meanwhile, cybercrime is booming, with threats like ransomware attacks, data breaches, and insider threats becoming more common.

Beyond these risks, having a solid information security foundation is just good business. It builds trust with partners, vendors, customers, and employees. Plus, it helps organizations scale effectively without constantly worrying about ransomware attacks, data breaches, and compliance violations.

Compliance and Regulatory Expertise

Compliance requirements are multiplying, pushing organizations to improve their cybersecurity. MSSPs with extensive experience in meeting various frameworks (like ISO 27001, PCI DSS, GDPR, and others) are increasingly seen as the best way to meet these requirements.

Many organizations view regulatory requirements as a cost. However, working with the right MSSP can turn these requirements into a net benefit that can be applied across the organization.

Penetration Testing

The threat landscape is driving higher levels of risk. Geopolitical tensions, the growth of cybercrime, and the evolving risk of ransomware attacks all increase the risk to organizations. Penetration testing can help reduce this risk.

A good pen testing firm will work with you to tailor the pen test to your organization’s specific needs and risks. For example, if your organization offers data via API, you might benefit from API penetration testing. If you have web applications, you might need pen testing focused on common web application vulnerabilities.

A thorough penetration test can uncover flaws in your application or corporate security that attackers could exploit. It can also strengthen your compliance posture and reassure auditors that your organization takes security seriously.

An MSSP offering pen testing services will collaborate with you to understand your business requirements and scope the pen test to the vulnerabilities that threat actors are most likely to exploit based on your unique risk profile.

Conclusion

For SMBs in Canada, partnering with an MSSP offers numerous advantages over managing security in-house. From accessing specialized expertise and vCISO services to ensuring compliance and conducting thorough penetration testing, MSSPs provide a comprehensive and scalable solution to meet the ever-growing cybersecurity demands.

Reach out to Simcotron SecureSolutions to discuss how we can help you stay secure in this cybersecurity era.