Data breaches and ransomware attacks, like the 2023 breach of the UK Electoral Commission that affected 40 million people, have severely disrupted organisational operations. As these security issues grow more sophisticated, companies are increasingly turning to experts to minimise the risks posed by such devastating attacks.
The growing complexity of web security threats makes it clear that a single in-house cybersecurity expert or even a small team can’t fully protect a company. New vulnerabilities, created by remote work, cloud computing, BYOD policies, and emerging security technologies, provide more opportunities for cybercriminals.
Deloitte’s Global Outsourcing Survey 2022 highlighted cybersecurity as the top external challenge for executives, with 81% reporting they use a third-party delivery model. This reflects the rising demand for outsourced security specialists to handle real-time threats and provide security assessments.
What is Security as a Service (SECaaS) and How Does it Relate to Cybersecurity?
SECaaS allows businesses to outsource their cybersecurity needs to a third-party provider, who manages and monitors necessary security measures. These providers oversee identity and access management (IAM), web security, and other systems remotely. Typically hosted by cloud computing providers and offered on a subscription basis, SECaaS is becoming a preferred alternative to in-house IT security teams.
Key Benefits of SECaaS
- 24/7/365 support
- Cost savings
- Compliance with updated policies and procedures
- Expert advice
- Ongoing maintenance and updates to security technologies
- Automatic deployment and resolution of issues in real-time
Examples of SECaaS Offerings
- Disaster Recovery
- Proactive threat hunting and detection
- Firewall management
- Email security
- Network Detection and Response
- Endpoint Detection and Response
- Security Information & Event Management (SIEM)
- Identity and access management (IAM)
- Vulnerability scanning
- Intrusion detection
Advantages of SECaaS
SECaaS eliminates the burden of daily security issues management, enhancing productivity and efficiency. By outsourcing to experts, internal teams can focus on their core roles, while also improving the company’s real-time response capabilities.
It diversifies an organisation’s cybersecurity skillset by providing access to specialized knowledge and varied experience. The 24/7 support ensures that any security issues are quickly addressed, ensuring business continuity.
Moreover, SECaaS offers flexibility for businesses with remote or hybrid workforces, as well as scalable solutions to meet growing web security and cloud computing needs. Providers can easily adapt to a company’s expanding security demands, making SECaaS suitable for businesses of any size.
SECaaS providers use the latest security technologies and best practices to protect against evolving threats. This keeps businesses up-to-date with the newest solutions, improving threat visibility and providing a centralised view of user activity across networks and devices.
The centralised nature of SECaaS makes it easy to manage, offering a comprehensive package that is cost-effective. Businesses only pay for what they need, reducing the need for ad hoc consultancy. The 2020 CISO Benchmark Study identified cost-efficiency as the top reason for outsourcing, based on feedback from 2,800 IT decision-makers.
Disadvantages of the SECaaS Model
While SECaaS offers many benefits, there are potential downsides. Outsourcing cybersecurity may lead to concerns about control, as sensitive data is handled by external teams. This lack of direct oversight can make some businesses uneasy.
There may also be concerns about accountability, as it can be harder to hold outsourced teams to the same standards as in-house employees. However, many SECaaS providers rely heavily on their reputation and client satisfaction, which often drives them to exceed expectations.
Is Security as a Service Right for Your Business?
Outsourcing your cybersecurity needs through SECaaS is a scalable, flexible, and cost-effective way to address today’s complex security issues. This model has proven to be an efficient option for managing web security, identity and access management, and business continuity and disaster recovery strategies. While there may be concerns around control and accountability, these can often be addressed with strong communication and close collaboration with your SECaaS provider.
Get in touch with us today to discuss how Red Helix can help you implement SECaaS to secure your IT infrastructure and manage your security technologies effectively.
