Why You Should Consider Outsourcing Computer SecurityIf you aren't equipped to fight a cyber war, you can hire mercenaries who are.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Cybercriminals are relentlessly hacking websites to attack unsuspecting visitors, breaking into databases to steal customer information and trade secrets, and infiltrating executives' PCs to filch financial-account information.
通常,只有最大的公司可以afford an in-housesecurityteam with the tools and expertise to defend them in this kind of cyber war. Other firms, experts say, are now largely outgunned.
That's why a growing number of smaller companies are outsourcing the job to so-called managed security services providers. They offer state-of-the-art technologies and seasoned security pros at affordable prices because they spread the costs across many clients. Indeed, small- and medium-sized companies are expected to drive a near doubling in spending on managed-security services to $14.9 billion in 2015 from $8 billion in 2011,according toStamford, Conn.-based research firm Gartner Inc.
Related:What to Do If Your Business Gets Hacked
Should you jump on the bandwagon?
Turning over computer security to an outside firm makes many managers nervous because they must give up direct control of critical systems. But doing so typically brings better security at a lower cost, industry watchers say.
Even if you can afford to hire your own security staff, it could be a challenge. "Security is so hot that good people are hard to find, and they're expensive," says Edward S. Ferrara, a security and risk analyst at Forrester Research. "So even if you wanted to build an organization [to provide your security], it would be hard to do that."
Security-service firms, however, have office parks full of experts. They likely employ people who have worked with other companies in your industry facing similar risks and challenges.
Related:How to Secure Your Company's Valuable Devices
With these outside experts, you pay for only as much service as you require rather than the ongoing costs of a full-time staff and equipment. The size of your bill is typically determined by the number of computers and other devices being monitored or some other measure of the volume of work involved. For a small business, such flexible pricing is often appealing because expenses can grow or shrink along with your business.
Beyond potential financial benefits, security-service firms also can help small businesses focus on running their companies, says Ferrara. "If you make lawn mowers, make lawn mowers. Don't fiddle around with information security."
How to choose a provider.
A dizzying number of companies provide managed security services, including such giants as IBM, Hewlett-Packard and Verizon. You'll probably want to select a company with technology that can meet your specific security needs and provide a responsive support team. If you handle financial or medical data, the provider also should help you comply with data-security regulations.
如果你的re planning to outsource all your basic security needs -- including the defense of your network and the devices on it and the filtering of your email for spam, scams and malware -- you'll probably want to consider one of the soup-to-nuts services. Some of these companies offercloud servicesthat monitor your systems by running your traffic through their data centers before it comes to you. Some install equipment on your network that sends data to them for analysis and investigation. And others combine in-house and cloud technologies.
Related:Three Tips for Using Public Wi-Fi Safely
Among the companies serving small businesses are security-software giants such asSymantec Corp.andMcAfee Inc. There are also a slew of specialized service providers to choose from, includingSolutionary Inc.,Perimeter E-SecurityandDell's SecureWorks Inc.
如果你的re primarily concerned about securing your website, you might consider a new breed of startups offering specialized technology to sites of all sizes.CloudFlare Inc.andIncapusla Inc.can block security threats to sites while boosting site speed and performance.
Dasient Inc.can help keep malicious programs and ads off your site. And firms such asProlexic Technologiesdefend sites from so-called denial of service attacks, or floods of bogus traffic that make a site unavailable to visitors.
You don't have to fend off cybercriminals all by yourself. There are plenty of services that can give your company effective protection at a reasonable cost.
