Why You Need an MSP That Is Cyber Verified

The managed service provider (MSP) you choose to work with is a significant decision. You need to be able to trust they can provide the services you need and keep your assets secure. In today’s environment, that’s no small task.

If you’re looking for the highest level of security, ask any MSP you’re considering one simple question: Are you cyber-verified by the MSPAlliance?

The most secure MSPs will have certification from the Cyber Verify from MSPAlliance, a third-party assessment that evaluates everything about how an MSP handles cybersecurity practices.

Less than 1% of MSPs achieve a AAA Cyber Verify rating, which assesses practices over a three to 12-month period. Sagiss is among those elite MSPs and cloud service providers that have achieved the AAA Cyber Verify rating.

Cyber verification follows a regimented process. It reviews the documentation of all of an MSP’s practices and then puts it to the test to ensure that the MSP actually does what it says it does. Conducted by an outside auditor, you can rest assured that you are getting the best possible protection.

The verification process also documents what procedures are in place. For example, if you see stories about ransomware attacks and worry about whether your data is at risk, you can look at how your MSP is protecting you. They can walk you through how they encrypt your data in multiple places and back up data daily so you can recover quickly and mitigate any damage when faced with an attack.

Benefits of working with an MSP that is cyber verified

When you work with an MSP that has been evaluated and verified by an independent third party, you can be confident that they are following the best practices and procedures to manage security for your assets and the MSP’s own networks.

Lowering risk

The biggest benefit of working with a cyber-verified MSP is lowering risk. Rather than relying on in-house IT resources or the multiple vendors you work with, working with cyber-verified MSP can significantly lower your risk.

MSPs are targeted by cybercriminals at a shocking rate. Threat actors know that if they can penetrate the defenses of a managed service provider, they may get access to a significant number of client assets. So, you need to work with an MSP with the highest possible security posture.

The Cyber Verify rating shows that the MSP has a structured, solid strategy for dealing with cyber risk. Those with the highest rating are most likely to defend against an attack and recover from any adverse event.

MSPs that achieved a top rating for their cybersecurity strategy are best positioned to:

· Stop cyberattacks: Employ best practices and tested defenses to stop cyberattacks.

· Limit severity: Better prepare to limit the severity of any attack, mitigate the damage, and limit monetary or reputational damage.

· Remain compliant: Verified to comply with governmental and industry regulations.

Being proactive rather than reactive

Most IT providers are reactive. They may have security tools in place, but they are generally reactive to alerts or known threats. If an incident occurs, they may not have a documented and tested plan to block an incursion, remediate the threat, or recover efficiently.

Being proactive requires a dedication to processes and continuous development. At Sagiss, one of our core values is to be relentlessly systematic. We are always looking for a better way to improve our processes with an intense focus on the details. We don’t put a bandage on problems when we find them, we fix them.

While working to block cyberattacks, being proactive is crucial when it comes to incident response. The sooner you can identify an incident and resolve it, the less damage that can occur. Cyber verification validates incident response plans, ensuring MSPs follow the National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) four-step process for incident handling. This includes:

1. Preparation: A formal, documented process detailing assignments and responsibilities in case of a breach.

2. Detection and analysis: Continuous monitoring and identification of threats, logging and documentation, immediate incident response, notification, and prioritization.

3. Containment, eradication, and recovery: A three-step strategy to contain incidents to prevent further damage, eliminate the threat, and restore systems to normal operation.

4. Post-incident activity: Discussion and documentation of incidents to capture lessons learned to strengthen future responses.

Deploying a multi-layered cybersecurity framework

Securing networks requires a multi-layered approach, using several components to safeguard operations, IT infrastructure services and prevent threats before they occur.

Sagiss provides managed security services in a multi-layered framework to help mitigate the most common threats:

· End user security training: 91% of cyberattacks start with a phishing email. Your employees need to be trained to recognize and prevent attacks.

· Software patching: Unapplied patches to operating systems and applications are high-profile targets for cybercriminals. You need to make sure your software is always up-to-date.

· Email security: Most malicious payloads are delivered by email. Proper security protocols and encryption are crucial.

· Data backup: Backups are the foundation of a disaster recovery plan. Your assets are at constant risk without a systematic process to back up data.

· Vulnerability management: Vulnerability management doesn’t wait until a breach occurs. Instead, it constantly scans for weaknesses and proactively addresses them before attacks occur.

· Next-generation antivirus: Next-generation antivirus (NGAV) goes beyond traditional antivirus programs, which scan files to identify potential threats. NGAV also analyzes and recognizes potentially malicious behavior across the network.

· Network firewall: A robust network firewall manages access and control, determining what traffic should be allowed or restricted.

· Web content filtering: Web content filtering screens and blocks access to unsafe web content.

The best managed service providers and managed security service providers (MSSP) like Sagiss will have access to highly skilled experts in each facet of cybersecurity along with the best and most current cybersecurity tools.

Managing the shared responsibility

Verified practices are especially important when it comes to managing security concerns in the cloud. While cloud service providers (CSPs) have extensive monitoring and processes in place to

protect their networks, security is a shared responsibility. Gartner estimates that 99% of cloud security failures will be the fault of the customer and not the CSP. The right MSP can help you manage your part in this shared responsibility.

Whether you are deploying a public cloud, private cloud, hybrid cloud, or multi-cloud strategy, you need the proper security protocols and processes in place to protect your data.

Which MSP should you trust with your cybersecurity?

There aren’t any hard-fast requirements for calling oneself an MSP, much less one that’s well-versed in cybersecurity. However, you can look for one willing to undergo frequent third-party reviews and certifications. Such verifications can and should confer credibility and trust that you choose to partner this business and trust they can and will deliver services reliably. Third-party certification or verification is a simple indicator you can use to choose someone you can trust with having full access to your data and system.

Sagiss provides managed security services, managed cloud services, and managed IT services for North Texas businesses. Focusing on a proactive, proven, and multi-layered approach to cybersecurity, Sagiss practices are verified annually by the MSPAlliance. Sagiss is also SOC2 certified by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and is recognized as a Gold Microsoft partner.

Want to learn more about the benefits of working with a cyber-verified managed services provider? Contact the experts at Sagiss today.