Outsourcing has become a standard practice for businesses large and small. This article helps businesses choose the right cybersecurity services company.
No company or industry is immune from cyberattacks. As long as your company possesses data, you are a prime target. Thus, it is crucial to have effective security and risk management solutions to protect against cyberattacks. Failure to implement such controls will result in catastrophic results or worse, bankruptcy.
However, implementing a successful security program requires time and expertise. Employing in-house cybersecurity professionals can be expensive. Hence, this makes most small and medium businesses outsource their security needs to a cybersecurity services company.
What You Should Look For In a Cybersecurity Services Company
There are standard and necessary security components that every company must employ. However, not every business requires the same amount of protection. Additionally, every cybersecurity services company has varying specializations. Hence, the first thing you should do is specifically define your company’s security needs.
Take the time to figure out the information that needs protection, where it is stored, and who has access to it. Afterward, align necessary and required solutions accordingly. Moreover, the right cybersecurity services company will address each aspect of your organization to provide 100% protection.
Generally, here are the factors you should look for a provider:
Experience
The best providers have proven the quality of their work in the IT field. This means that they have years of experience in providing security solutions. Furthermore, they have a portfolio of services that match their clients’ needs. The best providers must be able to clearly provide and articulate case studies as evidence of how they have helped their clients.
Ask for examples of relevant experience and the methods they will use in implementing their services. The more detailed their explanation is, the better.
Skill Set
This is the step where you will evaluate individual team members. Certifications are what really make an employee a cybersecurity professional. Inquire about specific staff specifications and training. Some of the most popular certifications are:
- CompTIA CYSA+
- GIAC Certified Incident Handler
- CISSP: Certified Information Security Manager
- GSEC: SANS GIAC Security Essentials
Custom Solutions
Most cybersecurity companies like to offer packaged services that are easy to implement and manage. However, the best firms can provide (or combine) custom solutions tailored to your unique needs. Hence, you must look for a provider that understands that one size does not fit all.
Moreover, they must have the ability to give you a plan and strategy on how to protect your business.
Must-Have Qualities
Customer satisfaction
Ask them to provide examples of how they solved a customer’s issue or managed a project. How have they successfully corrected a problem?
Reputation and References
Have the firm provide active client references and reviews. These will help you assess their expertise and reliability. Furthermore, customer feedback is crucial in determining whether the firm is a good match for your company.
Forward Thinking
Cybercriminals are always taking their game to the next level. Thus, cybersecurity professionals must keep up with the pace or even beat them. This means that they have a solid knowledge of the threat landscape and solutions to combat them. Moreover, the best firms are always updated to the latest trends and methods being used by hackers.