The practice of hiring external service providers to manage an organization’s cybersecurity needs.
Description
Outsourcing Security in the cybersecurity industry refers to the practice of delegating security functions to third-party vendors rather than managing them in-house. Organizations often choose to outsource security to leverage specialized expertise, reduce costs, and focus on core business activities. By partnering with external cybersecurity firms, companies can gain access to advanced technologies, skilled professionals, and comprehensive security solutions. For example, a small business may not have the budget or resources to maintain a full-time security team, so it might engage a managed security service provider (MSSP) to monitor its networks and respond to threats. Furthermore, outsourcing allows organizations to stay updated with the latest security trends and compliance requirements by relying on vendors that specialize in these areas. However, it also requires careful consideration of trust, data privacy, and communication to ensure that the outsourced services meet the organization’s security standards.
Examples
- IBM Security offers managed security services that help organizations detect and respond to threats efficiently.
- FireEye provides threat intelligence and incident response services to businesses looking to enhance their cybersecurity posture.
Additional Information
- Outsourcing security can significantly reduce operational costs compared to building an in-house team.
- It enables organizations to scale their security measures quickly in response to evolving threats.