Outsourced Network Security Services Take the Burden Off of In-House IT

Deciding whether to outsource your network security services is no easy task, primarily because many organizations are either unaware of the benefits or too concerned with the potential risks to make a decision. Yet it’s incumbent upon forward-thinking organizations to consider this increasingly popular solution, despite the high stakes.

Why are outsourced network security services worth your consideration? Most important, you can increase your network security without increasing headcount or spending a fortune on new technology. A reputable provider will significantly enhance your network security with the latest technology, so you can allocate your dollars elsewhere in your organization.

Yet understandably, companies want to be sure they are addressing the inherent risks associated with outsourced network security. It’s not uncommon to hear stories of managed securities firms going out of business or inadequately addressing security concerns, leaving many IT leaders wondering whether they should trust their sensitive information with an outside provider. And with myriad types of security services offered, from firewall management to periodic vulnerability scans, choosing a provider is a challenge all on its own.

To help you with your decision, consider the following guidelines offered by CoSentry, a leading provider of network security services.

1.     Decide what to outsource. If outsourcing every aspect of your network security seems too daunting or risky, go with the services that are most likely to provide the greatest return on your investment. That might include expert consulting and assistance, vulnerability scanning, continual monitoring, analytics and forensics.

2.     Understand the financial benefits. With outsourced network security, you have 'round-the-clock monitoring to head off attacks, which can happen at any time of day or night. If you rely on in-house personnel for this task, you’ll have to hire workers for 24-7 monitoring. By some estimates, you would need at least five full-time employees to adequately monitor your systems, and that’s not even including supervisors or backup personnel. And while it’s possible to build your own detection and response services for your networks, the high costs of doing so underscore the need for less expensive options such as those offered by network security providers.

3.     Look for a provider that will stay current on evolving technologies. Your network security provider must stay up-to-date on new vulnerabilities, security holes, hacker tools, software releases and security products. The costs of upgrading your own systems could prove prohibitive, making outsourcing a smart option for companies with strict budget constraints.

By addressing these three concerns, you might wisely decide that outsourcing your network security needs to a provider like CoSentry will give you not only peace of mind, but extra cash in your pocket as well.