Cybersecurity and information technology are not the same thing, despite their similarities. IT is in charge of deploying new technologies in order to assist the firm expand.
This can involve things like increasing network performance, boosting communications, and making information sharing easier.
IT security is concerned with the establishment and execution of systems and procedures that protect your company's data in any form, whether physical or electronic.
Managed IT services are nothing new.
Cybersecurity, on the other hand, is concerned with the protection of electronic data. It covers measures against attackers getting access to networks, computers, programmes, and data, and it was part of the greater IT security umbrella.
As more and more businesses become increasingly reliant on technology, companies of all shapes and sizes are turning to third party managed service providers (MSPs) to ensure that their systems, networks and software are working, whilst ensuring that end users can access all parts of the system that they require to carry out their function.
The safeguarding of data is an issue for both IT and cybersecurity.
This entails determining where the data is stored and what it is, as well as devising methods to safeguard it. It's not uncommon for a company to merge these two teams or jobs into one, especially as data migrates from physical to digital representations.
However, there are good reasons why this should no longer be the case.
Cybersecurity is a beast of its own, and as the threat of cyber attacks grows exponentially, particularly with the ongoing proliferation of the workforce to remote working arrangements and the increasing number of sales and transactions conducted online, the more complex cybersecurity is becoming.
Cybersecurity is concerned with data protection, identifying possible security gaps and minimising business risk.
It necessitates regular monitoring of an organization's network and data in the event of an external or internal danger and implementing strategies to minimise the risk to a business in case of an attack.
Whereas IT is more project-oriented, cybersecurity is more about continuing awareness and your company's data security goals.
As more and more data is held online, cybersecurity professions necessitate a high level of technological expertise.
So, whilst Managed Service Providers concern themselves more with system and network infrastructure and deployment, it’s important to engage a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) who is solely focused on protecting the data your company stores and manages from outside attacks.
This is particularly true given that as third-party providers, MSPs can actually present a vulnerability in your network.
That means that cunning cyber criminals can get to you by attacking your MSP.
There are four main reasons why IT and Cyber Security should be separated.
Hackers are seeking ‘hack one, breach many’ opportunities
According to a recent study, skilled hackers target large-scale companies.
Instead of assaulting one business at a time, they've created a more deliberate "hack one, breach many" technique that starts with a third-party provider.
"Third parties offer specialty services to their customers (enterprises or organizations) that require remote access into an organization’s network in order to fulfill the responsibility for which they are hired. Oftentimes, these third-party companies service multiple customers, providing much needed support for specific functions that require network access,” the report states.
When threat actors view a third-party firm, they see many, dozens, or even hundreds of targets at which they may shoot.
One such example of this occurred earlier this month, when there was a supply-chain attack on Kaseya, which provides a range of services for MSP providers.
Increased risks associated with ‘work from home’ arrangements
MSPs will be in an increasing demand for building best practices around the remote workforce. Forbes Magazine notes employees permanently working from home will double in 2021.
“The productivity metric is proving that remote work is working," said Erik Bradley, chief engagement strategist at Enterprise Technology Research (ETR). "So, we all thought that there would be some increase in permanent remote work, but we didn't expect that to double from pre-pandemic levels."
With more and more people working from home and a greater reliance on MSPs, this increases the desirability of third-party managed IT service providers as a potential target for hackers.
More Gadgets, More Risk
People will utilise the cloud, applications, phones, and personal computers more.
Every one of them is at risk.
It will be viewed as a cultural problem to safeguard those home-based employees, customers, and company leadership from these dangers.
Companies will regularly identify, analyse, and reassess vulnerabilities and as such, experienced security specialists will frequently be needed to assist incorporate those measures.
MSPs blasé approach to security
Some MSPs can actually push organisations towards cyber security profit/loss models that view minor violations as controllable or tolerable.
Using ransomware, thieves extort millions or shut down whole companies. Extortion instances are merely the tip of the iceberg. Hackers realise that small businesses have weak security. Multimillion-dollar payments are already commonplace in business.
You have to ask yourself…can you afford such a blasé approach to cyber security?
With MSPs a growing target for hackers, there has never been a more important time to call in cyber security experts to manage the protection of your data.
CyberWorqs has you covered
At Cyberworqs, risk management and IT security are two areas where our team excels.
We work with companies and their MSPs in a variety of industries to assist management teams understand cyber security risk as an operational risk and what it takes to create a cyber security culture.
We concentrate on delivering a comprehensive cyber security solution that includes both technological infrastructure and governance. We assist companies in identifying risks and threats, comprehending the regulatory context in which they operate, identifying stakeholders, and putting in place frameworks to manage all elements of cyber risk.
Our Cyber Steps program is a great option for companies who don't have the budget to hire a full-time cyber security staff. We've created a realistic and cost-effective cyber risk management methodology that's suited to your company's needs and applied at your own speed.