What Is Cybersecurity as a Service
Cybersecurity-as-a-Service (CSaaS) is a cloud-based solution that allows businesses to outsource their cybersecurity needs to expert providers, offering around-the-clock protection without the cost of building an in-house security team. It includes essential components like network, data, and endpoint security, along with managed detection and response (MDR). CSaaS is a cost-effective, scalable alternative to traditional cybersecurity, especially for small and mid-sized businesses that lack the resources to maintain full-time security operations.
What is cybersecurity as a service? How does it work? And does your company need it?
Cyberattacks cause damage worldwide. Some of them are severe and long-lasting. And, no business is safe. Top cybersecurity firms deliver comprehensive cloud-based cybersecurity services. Their experts monitor and respond to threats. They, most importantly, ensure strong, continuous protection.
What Is Cybersecurity-as-a-Service and Its Components
Also known as CSaaS, Cybersecurity-as-a-Service is delivered through the cloud. It’s an outsourced solution. Companies partner with a third-party provider instead of managing security in-house. They monitor threats to the company’s systems around the clock. CSaaS helps businesses stay protected without building their internal cybersecurity team.
CSaaS generally covers the following security components:
- Application Security
- Network Security
- Cloud Security
- Endpoint Security
- Data Security
- Managed Detection and Response (MDR)
Why Is Cybersecurity-as-a-Service Important?
In-House Security Is Hard to Maintain
Business leaders know cybersecurity is a top priority. Yet building a full in-house Security Operations Center (SOC) is costly. A proper SOC needs a large team of trained experts. They must detect and stop cyberattacks nonstop. These professionals are difficult to find and hire.
Moreover, even large companies struggle to hire and keep top cybersecurity talent. For small and mid-sized businesses, it’s often not possible at all.
CSaaS Is the Smarter Option
Cybersecurity-as-a-Service (CSaaS) offers a practical alternative. It gives you access to expert protection—without the overhead. You get round-the-clock security, managed by skilled professionals. It’s faster, cheaper, and more scalable than building your own SOC.
How Cybersecurity-as-a-Service Differs from Traditional Cybersecurity
What is Cybersecurity-as-a-Service’s advantage? Managing your organization’s cybersecurity is difficult. The Internet of Things and digital transformation have completely changed the security landscape.
Traditionally, companies hire an experienced security team whose sole responsibility is an organization-wide security plan. This can be time-consuming and expensive for large organizations with thousands of employees, and systems located in multiple locations. When an organization reaches a certain size, traditional in-house security may exhaust its resources.
Cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) is the outsourcing option. Some companies choose to "all-in", while others prefer to outsource their enterprise security tasks.
The benefits of CSaaS are:
- Reduced Risk
- Greater efficiency
- Reduced costs
Some organizations adopt a flexible approach to CSaaS. They may outsource some aspects to a vendor while keeping others in-house.
How Does Cybersecurity-as-a-Service Work?
Cybersecurity-as-a-service combines best-of-breed security services, software, and human expertise in a holistic solution.
About Security Operations Center (SOC)
At the heart of every cybersecurity-as-a-service vendor partner is their Security Operations Center (SOC). A SOC is an advanced facility that monitors and responds to security threats. It has experienced security professionals dedicated to these roles. The SOC in the CSaaS combines technology and human expertise. A staff can also actively search for security threats by using different methods such as social media monitoring and dark web intelligence.
What Are Cybersecurity-as-a-Service Features?
The best cybersecurity firms should be able to monitor your entire IT infrastructure 24/7/365. They can detect potential incidents accurately and quickly. CSaaS aims to maintain constant vigilance to resolve potential data breaches or threats. Service providers should be responsible for gathering data and event logs across entire IT environments.
What Is Managed Detection & Response (MDR), and How Does It Fit Into CSaaS
Managed Detection and response is just one part of a broader CSaaS, but an important one. Practicing good cyber hygiene still offers the best protection. However, this will only get you so far. A bad actor will try to penetrate your system through any of the attached vectors sooner or later. Your organization needs to have a plan in place to detect the threat and respond.
Questions to Evaluate CSaaS Vendors
Ask your CSaaS providers these key questions:
- What can I expect from the service?
- What aspects of cybersecurity remain my responsibility, even if a third party manages them?
- What are the capabilities of your SOC?
- Where is the SOC located in your organization?
- What percentage of my attack surface will your service protect?
- What level of experience/knowledge can your team provide?
- What customization options are available to suit my business?
- Have you developed a plan to respond to a data breach?
- How often will I receive reports from you?
- Do you work 24/7/365?
- Are you able to provide endpoint monitoring and security as part of your service?
- How can I secure my data at rest and on the move?
- What national and international security standards and regulations are you following?
- How can you be sure that your security analysts will not harm my environment?
- What security tools or platforms do you integrate/perform well with?
Additional Thoughts on Cybersecurity-As-A-Service
Most organizations cannot effectively manage cybersecurity alone because it is too complex and fast-moving. Most businesses lack the resources and personnel to effectively manage cybersecurity.
Sentant offers a complete, integrated cybersecurity-as-a-service platform of protection that provides a single interface into email, cloud, network, and endpoint security. All are supported by artificial intelligence, threat analysis performed by humans, and open APIs for integration with third-party software and other cybersecurity vendors.
What is Cybersecurity-as-a-Service from Sentant like? Contact a Sentant CSaaS specialist to learn more.
Will Pizzano, CISM is Founder of Sentant, a managed security and IT services provider that has helped dozens of companies achieve SOC 2 compliance. If you’re interested in help obtaining SOC 2 compliance, contact us.