Managing cybersecurity in-house can feel like a never-ending effort. Many small to medium sized businesses lack the resources for dedicated cybersecurity or IT audit staff. Unlike large enterprises with dedicated security teams and substantial IT budgets, small and medium sized businesses must protect sensitive data, customer information, and business critical systems with limited resources. Bad actors are acutely aware of this reality and frequently target small and medium-sized businesses with ransomware attacks, phishing campaigns, and data breaches.
Below are several ways organizations can help automate and streamline security controls.
Consider the use of an MSSP (Managed Security Service Provider) or MSP (Managed Service Provider).
Partnering with a managed service provider can help small and medium sized businesses keep pace with the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape. Some of the benefits include leveraging the MSP’s security experience, gaining access to additional tools that normally would be cost prohibitive, and simplifying IT processes. Offloading and streamlining tasks such as firewall reviews, log aggregation, patch management, etc., can significantly enhance the efficiency of IT personnel.
Implement a Security Information & Event Management (SIEM) solution that fits your environment.
SIEM tools that offer intelligent filtering, centralized log aggregation, and customizable dashboards can greatly reduce alert fatigue and streamline monitoring, logging, and alerting processes. Modern SIEM tools often leverage automation and AI to enhance functionality. Utilizing a SIEM tool can help your IT team respond more effectively to events and maintain visibility across critical infrastructure.
Choose a framework that compliments your data & regulatory environment.
There are numerous security frameworks to choose from depending on your organization’s needs and compliance goals. HIPAA, PCI, ISO 27001, and SOC security frameworks are commonly used to prove compliance to a standard. More general frameworks such as NIST or CIS can be used to help focus IT efforts, establish priorities, and measure cybersecurity maturity.
Finally, conduct regular audits & reviews.
Ongoing assessments are essential to ensure your MSSP/MSP, SIEM solution, and other security tools and automations align with both your internal standards and the requirements of your chosen framework. If you have questions about selecting an MSSP/MSP, choosing a SIEM solution or framework, or conducting a cybersecurity audit or review, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a member of the FoxPointe team.