It doesn’t matter what business you’re in: The security of your network cannot be neglected.
According to Foreign Policy, companies collectively lose about $338 billion each year due to cybercrime. While security is top of mind for all decision-makers, many companies lack expertise regarding security. For example, even as more and more employees bring their own devices to work, 60 percent of companies recently acknowledged they don’t have a BYOD policy or are in the initial stages of writing one, according to a study commissioned by Acronis and the Ponemon Institute.
With that in mind, the demand for managed security services continues to grow. Recent Gartner research suggests the market for outsourced security will more than double from $6.8 billion in 2010 to $14.8 billion in 2015, as companies deal with stagnant IT budgets, stricter regulations and increased security threats.
In a recent survey conducted by Computer Sciences Corporation, 75 percent of companies that already outsource their security needs said improved effectiveness was the key benefit of managed security providers. That survey also found that these providers help increase operational efficiency, reduce costs, are great knowledge resources and have specialized skills that might be lacking in a traditional IT department.
In truth, managed security isn’t just a product or service – you’re adding an adjunct security team to your staff. Companies that outsource their security needs notice immediate benefits provided by a team of experts trained in protecting and securing your network.
IT is a multifaceted industry, and different professionals have different skill sets. Someone who is very gifted in many aspects of IT might have trouble with security. When you decide to bring in a managed security team, you’re choosing to protect your data and networks the best way you can – by choosing true specialists to look after it for you. Security is a unique skill set, and your devotion to security should never be compromised.
Security providers are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Managed security providers are staffed such that there are always engineers ready to address problems and concerns. Expert eyes will always be focused on your networks, so you can rest assured knowing that your systems are secure, and your full-time staff isn’t always on the hook for emergencies.
Business owners seeking to build their own security teams might find themselves investing a lot of money in such a program only to ultimately have their employees leave for other, more lucrative opportunities. There are multiple certifications public and private IT professionals may be required to have depending on their job roles. The cost of keeping a certified professional on your team is prohibitive, as certification is expensive and recertification is required every three years. Furthermore, because technology keeps evolving, the demand for employees with such skills and certifications continues to increase. With this in mind, it’s not uncommon for employees to seek – or be recruited for – higher-paying jobs that are in demand, which is why managed security makes more sense than building an in-house team.
Studies show that 83 percent of businesses that fall victim to breaches in security were not targeted, but rather were victims of opportunity. This means that all businesses should take security matters very seriously. Decision-makers who want to strengthen the security of their networks should consider a managed provider today.
