A Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) provides outsourced monitoring and management of security devices and systems. Common services include managed firewall, intrusion detection, virtual private network, vulnerability scanning and antivirus services.
MSSPs typically provide 24/7 service, with staff available around the clock and highly-available infrastructure (either hosted in their own facilities or by other data center providers). This reduces the number of operational security personnel an enterprise needs to hire, train and retain to maintain a strong security posture.
MSSPs offer a systematic approach to managing an organization’s security needs. The services they provide are aimed at protection and management from various threats by continuous scanning and incident response. This ensures consistent protection from emerging threats, paired with expert management of security technologies and regular updates.
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) is a technology that aggregates, monitors, analyzes, and reports on security data and events. Managed SIEM solutions collect and analyze log data generated across an organization’s IT infrastructure, from host systems and applications to network and security devices such as firewalls and antivirus filters.
Managed SIEM solutions are managed by a service provider, meaning the organization does not need to deploy and maintain their infrastructure. However, in-house security teams are typically responsible for operating the SIEM and using it to investigate and respond to security incidents.
The goal of managed SIEM is to provide real-time analysis of security alerts generated by applications and network hardware. SIEM tools aid in incident detection by correlating disparate data and providing security analysts with actionable insights. These insights help in quickly identifying, diagnosing, and responding to potential security incidents and threats.
This is part of a series of articles about MSSP security
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SIEM technology is often managed by MSSPs on behalf of their clients. This arrangement allows organizations to leverage advanced security analytics without investing heavily in internal resources. MSSPs integrate SIEM solutions into their broader service offerings, which include monitoring, management, and incident response.
When SIEM is built into an MSSP’s offering, this can offer better security outcomes than managed SIEM alone. MSSPs bring their expertise in managing and operating SIEM tools across diverse environments. Clients benefit from reduced complexity and improved security efficiency, enhancing their ability to detect and rapidly respond to threats.
MSSPs provide a range of security services including management, monitoring, and response functions critical for safeguarding an organization’s IT environment. Their services cover several layers of security management, from firewall management to incident response and remediation strategies, providing comprehensive coverage across multiple domains.
SIEM focuses mainly on the aggregation, analysis, and reporting of security event data. This function is crucial for real-time security alerting and forensic analysis, helping organizations identify and mitigate security threats based on the data collected from their IT landscape.
MSSPs operate with a broad scope, offering end-to-end security solutions that address multiple aspects of cybersecurity from operational to strategic levels. They work with businesses to develop security practices, conduct risk assessments, and implement security measures according to evolving threats.
SIEM systems are more focused on specific areas such as log management, event correlation, and real-time alerting. The scope of SIEM is largely confined to data analysis and incident detection.
MSSPs reduce the need for extensive in-house security expertise by providing a team of experts that manages security needs. This approach helps companies overcome the challenges associated with recruiting, training, and retaining qualified security professionals, which can be costly and time-consuming.
Managed SIEM solutions require organizations to have skilled IT staff who can manage and interpret the complex data and alerts that SIEM technology generates. Even though managed SIEM services provide a fully-managed infrastructure, in-house staff still need to have expertise in data analysis and security incident handling.
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MSSPs deliver comprehensive services, often covering multiple areas of cybersecurity management, from proactive threat hunting to reactive incident response. MSSPs aim to cover all necessary aspects of security management, tailored to each client’s needs.
SIEM service delivery is generally focused on the technology itself—ensuring the proper integration, configuration, and maintenance of the SIEM tool within the client’s IT environment. The emphasis is on maximizing the effectiveness of data collection, analysis, and reporting to enhance incident detection and response capabilities.
MSSPs typically use standardized operating procedures and methodologies to deliver their services. This approach ensures consistency and reliability but offers limited options for organizations to tailor the service to their unique needs. Customization is often constrained by the MSSP’s predefined processes, making it challenging for businesses with specific or niche security requirements to implement bespoke security measures.
Managed SIEM solutions allow organizations to define custom rules and processes that align closely with their unique security policies and compliance requirements. Businesses can tailor the SIEM configuration to focus on particular threats, create specific correlation rules, and generate custom reports. This level of customization ensures that the security monitoring and incident response are fine-tuned to the organization’s operational and compliance needs.
MSSPs are suitable for organizations looking for a comprehensive, outsourced solution to manage and mitigate various cybersecurity risks. They are useful for organizations that lack the resources to maintain a full-fledged internal security team but need robust, continuous protection against a range of threats.
Managed SIEM is used by organizations that require advanced analytics and reporting capabilities. It is suitable for organizations that need to conform to regulatory requirements, perform sophisticated threat detection, and carry out detailed incident investigations through log analysis and event correlation.
Related content: Read our guide to MSSP vs MSP
Tips From the Expert
In my experience, here are tips that can help you better leverage and differentiate MSSP and Managed SIEM offerings:
Both MSSPs and managed SIEM solutions are useful in protecting infrastructure against cyber threats. While MSSPs offer a holistic approach to managing and mitigating security risks through service offerings, SIEM systems focus on the aggregation, analysis, and reporting of security event data to provide real-time insights and enhance incident detection capabilities.
Key considerations when choosing an outsourced security model include:
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Cynet All-in-One is the ultimate force multiplier, enabling MSSPs to provide their customers with unmatched security, without the need for multiple products and resources. It provides maximum threat visibility and responsiveness, enhancing security team productivity and increasing ROI. Only Cynet All-in-One gives the power of proactive 24/7 MDR services, continuously monitoring all alerts across your customers’ environments to keep them protected at all times, even from the most complex threats.
Key benefits of Cynet for MSSPs include:
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