What are Cybersecurity Services?
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Keeping pace with the various cyber threats and the solutions designed to prevent them from becoming incidents is an ongoing challenge. All aspects of a business are at risk, from technology to systems, processes, and people. The costs of implementing cybersecurity solutions and services can be more costly than the software or the monthly payment for the solution itself. Costs include hiring skilled personnel to configure and manage security tools, as well as to interpret security data.
Cybersecurity services have evolved to support the deployment, management, and effective utilization of security solutions. In an era where risks are rising from AI-assisted cyberattacks, the application of best-of-breed security solutions is essential. This is where cybersecurity services come into play.
What are Cybersecurity Services?
Most organizations' core business is not directly related to cybersecurity. Many smaller organizations lack in-house staff with the necessary skills to understand cybersecurity or the bandwidth to focus on the evolving threat landscape.
Cybersecurity services have emerged as a means to deliver comprehensive cybersecurity solutions and provide professional expertise, thereby establishing a robust security posture. The types of cybersecurity solutions cover all the requirements needed to create a secure environment. The cybersecurity services market is expected to be worth $310.35 billion by 2034.
Types of Cybersecurity Services
Cybersecurity services cover a broad range of offerings. The following are examples of the range of cybersecurity service types available to an organization:
Consultancy and Design
Security professionals can offer consultancy on how to design a system to ensure that it has privacy and security baked in "by design". Security consultants can be engaged to assess your entire organization and develop a comprehensive security strategy, helping you create security policies that reflect your business and the types of threats likely to impact your company.
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Digital identity can be a complex area that requires expert input. Identity vendors typically provide unified identity services that are designed to be configurable to meet specific requirements. These identity services may integrate and leverage existing identity directories and management systems, like Microsoft Entra ID.
These third-party IAM products are cloud-based and deliver enhanced identity security, like privileged access management and employee provisioning. The resulting service is known as Identity-as-a-Service (IaaS). Often, certain aspects of IaaS are automated, which helps alleviate the management overhead of the service.
Cloud Security
Cloud Security-as-a-Service (SECaaS) covers a broad range of security, including cloud apps and the protection of cloud-based sensitive data. There are several variants of cloud security platforms that focus on different aspects of cloud security, including CNAPP (Cloud Native Application Protection Platform), ASPM (Application Security Posture Management), and DSPM (Data Security Posture Management). Checkpoint predicts that "CNAPP, ASPM, and DSPM merge to create all-encompassing security posture management (SPM) suites".
Endpoint Security
Endpoint Security as a Service (ESaaS) is a cloud-based delivery model that ensures the security of endpoints, including mobile devices and laptops. The types of capabilities included in ESaaS are next-generation antivirus (NGAV), encryption, automated patching, and endpoint detection and response (EDR).
Network Security
Network Security-as-a-Service (NSaaS) is a cloud-based delivery model that safeguards a company's network from threats. NSaaS provides a variety of protective measures, including Firewall-as-a-Service (FaaS), data loss prevention (DLP), and zero-trust network access (ZTNA).
Mobile and Device Security
Mobile device security is often integrated into Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) policy and tools, which are delivered through cloud-based services. These tools will ensure that mobile services are secure, including automating patching, preventing malicious apps from being installed, and remotely wiping a phone if lost or stolen.
Data and Application Security
Application Security as a Service (AppSecaaS) offers a cloud-based platform that delivers code scanning and security testing, identifying vulnerabilities and providing actionable insights. Testing is performed using SAST (Static Application Security Testing), DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing), and MAST (Mobile Application Security Testing) tools for comprehensive vulnerability testing. Data security services include dark web monitoring and data loss prevention (DLP).
Security Awareness Training
Educating employees and non-employees on security threats, such as phishing, is an essential part of establishing a secure organization. Security awareness training can be delivered by a third-party, such as a vendor or managed service provider. The SAT platform is cloud-based and can be configured, managed, and deployed as-a-Service. Simulated phishing platforms, used to send out fake phishing messages to train employees on how to identify phishing attacks, are also available as a cloud-based service.
Security Assessments
Systems and networks should be tested to identify any weaknesses and gaps in security. Identifying vulnerabilities enables an organization to take proactive steps to protect its networks and data. Penetration testing, security, and privacy risk assessments are typically provided by third-party service providers to an organization.
Incident Response
Incident response as-a-Service (IRaaS) is performed by security experts. These security professionals utilize security data from threats and incidents, as well as employee reports, to respond to and mitigate either a threat or an ongoing attack. IRaaS providers are often available 24/7 to ensure that any potential attack is quickly prevented.
How are Cybersecurity Services Delivered?
Cybersecurity services are delivered by one of three means.
On-Premises (in-house)
Cloud-based solutions can be managed and deployed if in-house staff are available. The services, such as identity management, can be hosted by a cloud service provider, like AWS or Azure, but deployed, controlled, configured, and maintained by skilled employees.
Managed Service Provider (MSP)
MSPs are well-positioned to deliver multiple cybersecurity services and ensure that these services are unified and integrated. The MSP will work with vendors to ensure they offer cost-effective solutions to their clients that are value for money. MSPs may also offer consultancy services and incident response teams. In the latter case, an MSP will run an SOC (Security Operations Center) that provides security services, including monitoring, threat detection, and incident response.
Vendor-Delivered Services (cloud-based/SaaS)
Vendors may also offer their solutions as-a-Service. For example, email filtering solutions or identity management can be provided by a vendor who will host and manage the solution on behalf of the customer. An example of a vendor-delivered security service is the Sentinex dark web monitoring service. This cloud-based service delivers intelligence on dark web threats to a company, helping to pre-empt strikes and protect a company's brand.
Sectors That Benefit From Using Cybersecurity Services
Companies from all sectors and of all sizes can benefit from using cybersecurity services. Some examples include the following:
Healthcare
Healthcare is a data-rich sector and, consequently, a target for cyberattacks seeking sensitive data. Once stolen, these data are used for various follow-on attacks. Healthcare is increasingly at risk of ransomware attacks that cost the sector $21.9 billion in downtime costs. Healthcare must meet stringent regulatory compliance requirements, such as HIPAA, which necessitates robust data protection of PHI (Protected Health Information). Cybersecurity services can provide cost-effective access to enterprise-grade security for cash-strapped healthcare institutions.
Financial Services
The financial services sector has complex security requirements as it is at the forefront of fraud. The rapid digital transformation of the sector and high uptake of cloud services have increased the attack surface. High-value and high-volume financial transactions have led to US financial institutions spending $4.23 in remediation costs for every dollar lost to fraud. Cybersecurity services offer comprehensive and unified measures to help prevent attacks targeting this sector.
Government and Public Sector
Governments play a major role in citizen identity services. As such, they serve as a critical infrastructure for citizens who rely on government services. Governments are at risk from a broad range of attacks, including those that are state-sponsored. Government agencies and the federal government utilize multiple cybersecurity services to establish security for internal and external use cases.
Retail and eCommerce
Online retailers are awash with retail bots and DDoS attacks that shut down their online stores. eCommerce must also protect customer accounts from takeover and credential stuffing attacks. Unfortunately, over half of retailers lack the security staff needed to protect resources. Cybersecurity services offer online and offline retailers the security measures and expert consultancy needed to protect their businesses and customers.
Energy and Utilities
Cybersecurity services offer the advanced security necessary to protect the critical infrastructure of energy and other utilities. These sectors are vulnerable to sophisticated political attacks and espionage. The Thales Data Threat report found that 42% of critical infrastructure companies, including the energy sector, suffered data breaches.
Education
The education sector has a huge attack surface coupled with a lack of skilled staff and constrained budgets. Check Point found that the average number of weekly attacks on educational establishments was 3,323, a threefold increase from the previous year. Cybersecurity services offer cost-effective security education and skilled staff to deliver and manage cybersecurity solutions.
Manufacturing
As another critical infrastructure, manufacturing is at risk from various cyberattacks, which can shut down a manufacturing operation. Furthermore, the sector has seen rapid digital transformation and internet connectivity, adding to an increased attack surface. Research from Statistica found that manufacturing is the most targeted sector, with 26% of cyberattacks focusing on manufacturing industries. The sector benefits from a variety of cybersecurity services, including security awareness training, cloud and network security, and incident response.
Legal Services
As a data-rich industry, legal services are targeted for that data. The sector benefits from cybersecurity services delivered as cloud-based offerings. Small legal practices can benefit from security services deployed by an MSP.
Telecommunications
The GSMA has stated that "The mobile industry (along with all others) has to significantly accelerate its ability to patch and mitigate vulnerabilities". The GSMA report found that attackers are targeting virtualized and cloud infrastructures used in the sector. Moreover, AI platforms used by the sector are vulnerable to attacks. As a critical infrastructure, telecom is at risk of politically motivated cyberattacks and benefits from cybersecurity-as-a-service.
Defense and Aerospace
Defense and aerospace face a multitude of security threats, including supply chain and politically motivated attacks. It is widely reported that AI-driven automated defense will likely be a target. This sector can benefit from a raft of cybersecurity services.
Securing data, networks, endpoints, and processes, as well as protecting employees, is now an integral part of business. But the sheer volume and complexity of modern cyber threats can be daunting and potentially expensive. Cybersecurity services are delivered as cloud-based solutions that can be deployed, managed, and maintained in-house or by a third-party, like an MSP. As-a-Service offerings help to reduce administration overhead, and when delivered by an MSP or vendor, can be cost-effective.
FAQs
What areas of an organization do cybersecurity services cover?
Cybersecurity services encompass all areas of an organization, including networks, applications, mobile devices, and personnel. This broad coverage is important as modern cyber threats are sophisticated and exploit vulnerabilities across the organization.
Can an MSP deliver cybersecurity services to an SMB?
Yes, many MSPs offer cost-effective cybersecurity services, enabling an SMB to utilize enterprise-grade security measures. The types of cybersecurity services offered by an MSP encompass a range of options, from consultancy to solutions and incident response. Often, an MSP will provide these services on a subscription basis, helping to spread the cost. Also, an MSP will work closely with the SMB to establish a baseline of requirements and will be flexible enough to modify these requirements as the company grows.
Are cybersecurity services costly?
Cybersecurity services are typically designed to help reduce costs; however, they can be costly, depending on the type of service, company size, and other factors, such as the delivery model. Research from Brightworks Group found that the costs for small businesses range from $1,000 to $3,000 per month, while mid-sized businesses spend between $4,000 and $10,000 per month. The advice is to look around and spend widely, establishing your requirements first.