Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) must make the critical decision of which cybersecurity model to choose: a managed security service provider (MSSP) or an in-house security operations center (SOC).
In-house SOCs offer control, which many SMBs desire, but cost quite a bit more than MSSPs. MSSPs are specialized services that attract many small businesses that do not have the funds or staffing to build their own security operations center in-house.
Choose the security model that best fits your company by knowing the key differences, benefits, and challenges of each.
Understanding Modern Security Operations
Security operations are the backbone of a modern cyber strategy. Modern businesses must adapt and integrate some of the latest technologies, including cloud-native environments, SaaS platforms, and other third-party tools or systems, to stay ahead of the curve.
The role of security monitoring, threat intelligence, and incident response is not simply a “good idea.” Without them, modern businesses are put in a precarious position against the rising threat of data breaches.
The amount of professional staff, training, required tools, organizational ability, and physical space a company needs to keep its data safe is staggering. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) struggle with fulfilling all of these professional roles with short staff and even shorter funds. They often turn to an experienced IT managed service provider to take care of security for them.
What Is a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP)?
A managed security service provider (MSSP) is a third-party company that provides outsourced monitoring, management, and protection of a company’s systems and infrastructure. They handle many cybersecurity operations, including:
- 24/7 security monitoring
- SIEM management
- Incident response
- Compliance support and monitoring
Managed security service providers operate through centralized security operations centers and usually support more than one business at a time.
What Is an In-House Security Operations Center (SOC)?
An in-house SOC is an internal team committed to monitoring and responding to threats. Duties include threat hunting, endpoint monitoring, and implementing tools like SIEM. They provide direct oversight to the company’s own security and response processes.
MSSP vs. In-House SOC: Key Differences
Key differences between MSSPs and in-house SOCs include cost savings, control, security expertise, scalability, and speed of implementation. Knowing these key differences in scope and ownership aspects helps business leaders make an informed choice between methods.
Control
In-House SOC: The business retains full control over security monitoring and response.
MSSP: The MSSP offers oversight over cybersecurity monitoring and response externally.
Cost Format
In-House SOC: Putting together an in-house SOC requires a high investment in terms of both professional staffing costs and tools.
MSSP: Costs are typically lower than in-house SOCs for many organizations.
Security Expertise
In-house SOC: Having an in-house team requires businesses to find, retain, and train their own professional employees.
MSSP: Managed security service providers offer access to expertly trained security professionals who stay current in rules, policies, and trends.
Scalability
In-house SOC: Growth requires more hires.
MSSP: Scale easily and quickly as needs change.
Customization
In-house SOC: Teams are well-versed in your business objectives.
MSSP: Teams customize solutions for your business objectives and growth goals.
Advantages of Using Managed Services
There are many advantages for small and medium-sized businesses when choosing to partner with an MSSP, including expertise, costs, and professional tools.
Access to Expertise: Companies desire the best personnel available, but it is not always easy to find and secure. Managed security services offer a team of professionally trained cybersecurity experts that is hard to beat. They specialize in threat intelligence, technologies, and best practices, giving small and medium-sized businesses the ability to defend against cyber threats without the hassle of putting together their own team.
Cost Savings: In-house security operations are very expensive. Organizations spend an average of over $2.8 million per year for their own in-house cyber team. This high price tag is often unattainable for small businesses. MSSPs offer enterprise-level security operations for a portion of the cost, using subscription-based pricing.
24/7 Security Monitoring and Incident Response: Managed security services are famous for round-the-clock security monitoring. Continuous monitoring of your systems and networks allows for an early, quick detection and response in case of a breach.
Compliance and Risk Management: MSSPs offer compliance and management by staying up to date with current policies and requirements. They are experts in compliance and offer regular audits, reports, and risk assessments.
Advantages of an In-House Team
Having an in-house security operations center has several advantages, including full control and fast collaboration.
Full Control Over Security Operations: Having an internal SOC gives the company complete control over its security events and vulnerability management.
Deep Knowledge of the Organization’s Security Architecture: In-house security analysts are deeply aware and knowledgeable about their own company’s security capabilities and core business functions.
Fast Internal Collaboration: In-house teams collaborate quickly when necessary with both IT and other leadership on challenges and goals.
Challenges of MSSP vs SOC Security Services
There are challenges for both security processes, including communication delays and talent shortages. When choosing your organization’s security posture, take a balanced approach and look into both options with an open mind.
In-House Security Solutions Limitations
- High cost of tools and personnel
- Struggle to find enough professional talent
- Must continuously train and maintain knowledge and requirements
Managed Security Teams Challenges
- Less direct control
- Possible communication delays
- Standard processes
Your business should look into both security strategies with an unbiased, open mind before choosing the direction and focus of your overall security posture. Look for the most practical, yet strategic choice.
When In-House Security Teams Make Sense
In-house SOCs make sense when businesses highly value direct control and data residency. Knowing what ideals your business deems unwavering is important to making long-term security strategies that include an in-house security operations center.
- Larger enterprise environments
- Highly sensitive data environments
- Mature internal security teams
- Need for highly customized security operations
When Managed Service Providers Make Sense
Companies should choose a managed security operations team when they need advanced tools, have many cyber threats, or operate in regulated environments. Think practically about your business needs when choosing managed cybersecurity services. The following business scenario is typically a perfect fit:
- Limited in-house cybersecurity staff
- Budget limitations
- Need for quick deployment
- Compliance or regulatory requirements
If your business is processing personal, financial, or health data, managed security service providers ensure compliance with current regulatory requirements. If your budget restrains you from hiring enough cybersecurity professionals or from buying the latest and safest security tools, MSSPs are the way to go.
E-commerce businesses, or companies in high target industries, should consider partnering with a professional security management team. A managed security service provider offers many high-end tools and services for SMBs.
Hybrid Security Monitoring Models (Best of Both Worlds)
An SMB benefits from a hybrid security infrastructure when it has a small internal security team but lacks resources or 24/7 advanced security options. Assess your business’s capabilities and limitations before jumping into either model. A hybrid model works well:
- For businesses that currently have a SIEM but lack staff to manage it
- For companies that want continuous monitoring, but do not have the funds to hire a full-time cyber analyst
- For SMBs who want to keep complete control over significant decisions and risk management, while outsourcing the day-to-day tasks
- When companies require specialized capabilities, including threat intelligence or penetration testing
Hybrid security models allow the in-house SOC to focus on high-level tasks such as policy decisions, compliance reporting, and incident triage. The MSSP then handles the routine monitoring and initial responses.
Small and medium-sized businesses are then able to close the skills gap, reduce costs, and improve their security posture without building an in-house SOC from scratch or fully outsourcing their security controls.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a hybrid SOC model improve threat detection?
A hybrid security operations center improves threat detection by combining the MSSP’s wide range of threat intelligence and the expertise of the in-house team.
How do MSSPs handle data privacy and compliance in different industries?
Managed security service providers handle data privacy and compliance in different industries by researching and staying compliant with the latest field-specific guidelines and regulatory requirements. They are then able to create and implement customized solutions for your business needs.
How do external MSSPs compare in threat response speed?
External managed security service providers usually have faster response times than in-house SOCs. This result comes from MSSPs’ 24/7 monitoring capabilities and staffing, as well as their specialized and localized infrastructure.
Choosing the Right Security Model
MSSPs are third-party companies that provide outsourced monitoring, management, and cyber protection of a company’s systems. In-house SOCs are cybersecurity teams set up internally to monitor and respond to cyber threats. There are key differences between the two models, including cost format, control, scalability, and security expertise.
Choosing the right security model for your business depends on your budget, internal expertise, risk tolerance, and long-term security strategy. In the end, large businesses with plenty of professional staffing, funds, and security tools benefit from an in-house SOC, while most small and medium-sized businesses enjoy the cost efficiency and scalability of MSSPs.
