How Managed Services Can Help Your Security Operations

Midsize enterprises (MSEs) face a unique set of challenges in maintaining a robust cybersecurity posture. One of the most pressing issues is the lack of cybersecurity full-time equivalents (FTE). This shortage can leave MSEs vulnerable to cyber threats, as they often lack the resources to hire and retain a full-fledged internal cybersecurity team. The ideal team consists of members across three different role types:

• CIO/CISO
• Infrastructure and Operations
• MSSP/MDR/EDR

According to the Gartner report, How Midsize Enterprise CIOs Create an Effective Cybersecurity Operations Strategy, Managed Service Providers (MSPs) offer a strategic solution to this problem by providing outsourced IT professionals with specialized expertise, ensuring that MSEs can protect their IT infrastructure effectively.

The Cybersecurity Challenge for MSEs

MSEs often operate with constrained budgets and limited staff, making it difficult to allocate sufficient resources to cybersecurity. The demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals far exceeds the supply, driving up salaries and making it even harder for MSEs to compete with larger organizations for top talent.

47% of MSE CIOs and the most senior IT leaders use external managed services to handle skills gaps in both cyber and information security -2023 Gartner MSE Baseline survey

A small internal IT team without satisfactory support and resources can lead organizations to have many business-halting cybersecurity issues, such as:

• Lack of security measures across the organization, such as access controls, threat detection, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) setups
• Increased vulnerabilities due to lack of scheduled assessments regular updates, like OS and 3rd-party application patching
• Risk of not meeting regulatory requirements, which are constantly changing and require an agile approach to cybersecurity

How Managed Service Providers Bridge the Gap

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Managed Detection & Response (MDR) can offer a more comprehensive solution to these security challenges by providing outsourced IT professionals who bring specialized cybersecurity expertise to the table, across all industries. According to Gartner, by 2026, 70% of midsize enterprises’ security portfolios will be outsourced, up from the 40% of outsourced security portfolios today. Here’s how MSPs can help MSEs maintain a robust IT stack:

• Access to Expertise: MSPs allow access to cybersecurity experts who stay up-to-date with the latest threats and security technologies. Partnering with an MSP allows MSEs to tap into a wealth of knowledge without the overhead costs associated with hiring full-time staff.
• 24x7x365 Monitoring and Support: MSPs offer round-the-clock monitoring and support, ensuring that any suspicious activity is detected and addressed promptly, so that businesses can operate as usual. 24x7x365 vigilance is critical in mitigating the impact of potential breaches.
• Scalable Solutions: As MSEs grow their businesses, their cybersecurity needs may evolve. MSPs provide scalable solutions that can be tailored to meet changing requirements and can adapt to the needs of their clients.
• Regulatory Compliance: MSPs have extensive experience in helping businesses comply with industry regulations. They can assist in implementing the necessary controls and documentation required to meet compliance standards, reducing the risk of costly penalties and reputational damage.
• Cost-Effective: Hiring a full-time cybersecurity team can be expensive for MSEs. MSPs offer a cost-effective alternative by providing access to top-tier cybersecurity talent on a subscription basis. This allows MSEs to benefit from expert services without the financial burden of maintaining an in-house team.

How Thrive Can Help

Hiring an MSP, like Thrive, can be the answer for many MSEs looking to build out their IT infrastructure, without having to hire FTEs. Unlike security vendors that only focus on MDR, Thrive can provide companies with IT outsourcing that taps into experts in all three roles: CIO/CISO; Infrastructure and Operations; and MSSP/MDR/EDR. With Thrive, MSEs have access to first-in-class solutions that will allow them to feel confident in their security framework so they can focus on meeting their business goals. With Thrive, organizations have access to:

• vCISO: Thrive’s virtual CISO offering aims to design, develop, and maintain a customized Information Security Program that complements your business’s overall strategy and risk tolerance
• Infrastructure and Operations: Thrive works with you to tailor a cybersecurity and cloud infrastructure plan to help meet your business goals. Thrive’s team of experts work round the clock to help bolster your IT operations with solutions, such as vulnerability management.
• Managed Detection and Response (MDR): Thrive’s MDR solution continuously monitors your network, endpoints, and other critical assets for signs of suspicious activity or security breaches
• Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Thrive’s 24x7x365 support from our Security Operations Center (SOC), ensures that after the EDR solution identifies gaps in your IT stack, our experts move in to remedy the issues, ensuring business continuity

Contact Thrive today to learn more about how our managed IT services can help your organization better round out your IT stack.