Cybersecurity as a Service (CSaaS): Everything you need to know

As data breaches increase in number and severity, governments and industry standards organizations use compliance as a way to ensure security. However, security is not the same as compliance, which may leave organizations struggling to check boxes while still leaving themselves open to data security risks. Thus, many companies looking to find strategies to mitigate both risks and costs, are turning to Cybersecurity as a Service provider for the solution to their problems.

What is Cybersecurity as a Service (CSaaS)?

Cybersecurity as a Service, often referred to as CSaaS, refers to ongoing cybersecurity coverage provided by a third-party organization, most commonly a specialized cybersecurity firm. CSaaS providers employ a range of technologies, frameworks, and specialized professionals to provide continuous cybersecurity coverage across all, or an agreed-upon portion, of an organization’s IT infrastructure.

Organizations of various sizes, and from many industries, partner with CSaaS vendors to manage their entire range of cybersecurity needs. They’re especially popular with SMBs, who often lack both the resources and technical sophistication to effectively build their own cybersecurity infrastructure.

You might see cybersecurity companies refer to themselves as Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs), which are very similar to CSaaS providers. There are also Managed Service Providers (MSPs), which tend to provide a wider range of IT services not specifically focused on one area. If your organization is looking for cybersecurity expertise, you will be better served by a CSaaS provider or an MSSP.

Benefits of Cybersecurity as a Service

There are a number of reasons why businesses might choose CSaaS over traditional security methods. For one, traditional security measures can be expensive and time-consuming both to implement and maintain. Furthermore, as the global economy becomes increasingly digitalized, there is a greater need for companies to protect their data and systems from attack.

Some key benefits of CSaaS include:

Centralized management of cybersecurity resources

Cybersecurity as a Service allows organizations to manage all their cybersecurity resources from a single location, which makes it easier to prioritize and oversee efforts.

Scalability

Businesses today operate in a dynamic, quick-paced, and ever-changing global economy, so each organization’s cybersecurity requirements change with time. Because CSaaS is an inherently flexible model, businesses can scale up or down as necessary to make sure they’re spending the right amount of resources on cybersecurity, without overspending on unnecessary features.

Automated detection and response capabilities

Many CSaaS platforms offer automated detection and response features, which help organizations quickly respond to attack threats. This helps minimize the impact of an attack and ensures that critical information is not compromised.

Integrated security solutions

Many CSaaS platforms provide integrated security solutions that make it easy for organizations to deploy comprehensive cybersecurity strategies. This helps ensure that all systems are protected from online threats. Cybersecurity as a Service can be a valuable tool for businesses looking to better protect themselves against cyberattacks. There are quite a number of options available on the market, so it is important to find one that fits your organization’s specific needs.

How to choose the right CSaaS provider

Selecting a CSaaS vendor to work with is an important decision. A CSaaS vendor should be a stable, long-term partner that works closely with your organization to gradually upgrade your cybersecurity infrastructure while protecting you against potential attacks.

There are many well-established CSaaS vendors in the market. They each offer slightly different services so it’s important to determine exactly what your cybersecurity needs are before committing to a partner. Tools like cybersecurity scorecards are often helpful to understand your organization’s existing security posture and prioritize the most pressing cybersecurity issues.

As you evaluate potential partners, there are several variables you should consider. Ideally, your cybersecurity partner should have experience providing CSaaS services to similar organizations: companies of a similar size, or those in the same industry. Prioritize providers with a proven track record backed by positive testimonials from customers.

Another element to consider is the scope of the services offered by the CSaaS vendor. Some vendors provide comprehensive services that cover your entire IT infrastructure whereas others only offer a narrow spectrum of solutions. Pinpoint exactly what each vendor offers and determine how that fits with your organization’s security needs. As part of this process, make sure you understand the technology each vendor uses and verify whether it integrates with your existing tech stack.

Finally, you must strike up a strong relationship with the team that will be working on your account at the CSaaS vendor. You’ll be working with them relatively closely, possibly over several years. To be successful, it’s important that your teams get along, are aligned on key goals, and build trust with each other.

Conclusion

Many larger organizations need to keep a dedicated internal staff focused on security. But for others, turning to a vendor to provide Cybersecurity as a Service makes the most logistical and financial sense; it also means the business can get back to focusing on its core mission, and that’s always good for business.