Bottom Line Up Front: Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) are consultants that partner with IT security companies offering a variety of tools and services that secure your business technology and information.

Many powerful and effective tools and services are available to secure your business. There are tools and services that protect communications, securely store and backup your data, identify vulnerabilities, and protect your systems and information in other ways too. Unfortunately, they can be very expensive when you’re buying from the companies that build them and it’s hard to know what you need or don’t need. Most small business owners don’t even know where to start.

Cybersecurity consultants, like We Know Cyber, partner with companies that provide these powerful security tools and services. Those partnerships make your cyber consultant a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP). The benefit of using an MSSP cybersecurity consultancy can be seen in three ways; expertise in identifying your business’s needs, selecting from their assortment of partner services, and discounted pricing the business cannot get on their own.

Identifying your security needs starts with a discussion. What systems and information are most important for your business? What are the risks you’re facing now and can expect in the future? How prepared are you for a ransomware attack? What services are right for you? You know your business (we know cyber), so, you’ll be able to answer these and other questions to dial-in the right-sized solution for you. Skilled consultants know the tools and services available and are able to properly configure them to ensure your business technology and information are well defended, well-functioning, and accessible to your authorized users.

Some MSSP cyber consultants partner with a variety of services to provide options for a customized solution to your cybersecurity needs. Once decided upon, they install and configure the solutions, monitor, analyze, and respond to the data and alerts generated, and create reports to keep you informed. Some tools and services are installed on your systems, others operate entirely in the cloud (through a web connection). You won’t be left to figure it out on your own.

Pricing is a major factor for budget-wise business owners. Subscribing or buying a solution of your own is more expensive than going through an MSSP cyber consultant. They buy licenses in bulk, register systems on a per-use basis, and manage services for several business customers in a bundling model (e.g. MSSPs can configure cloud data storage on their systems for many customers on one device). In this way, they can leverage pricing power and meet their business customers at a price point they can afford. They can also securely configure your email and other productivity and communication apps and systems, further strengthening your business’s security posture.

You can assume your business currently has system, communication, staff, or website vulnerabilities. That means your company is already at risk of cyber-attacks. Connect with We Know Cyber or another MSSP cybersecurity consultancy today to learn where your risks are, how to mitigate them, and how to do so affordably. Cyber never costs. It only pays. Reach out to us for a free initial consultation to start securing your business today.