Mitigate Risk with a Multi-layered Managed Services Strategy

See why there is a growing need to build a comprehensive managed services and cybersecurity strategy.

Articles published December 17, 2021

Authored by: SilverSky

In today’s escalating threat environment, the single-layer cybersecurity defense approach is no longer good enough. Holistic strategies are key when it comes to comprehensively protecting your data, infrastructure, and customers.

Cybersecurity events that unfolded throughout 2021 pulled the curtain back on what managed service providers have known for years: The single-layer cybersecurity defense approach no longer cuts it in today’s threat environment.

Security threats have been trending upwards for businesses of every size, and so have the costs associated with remediating breaches and unexpected downtime. The average cost of a data breach climbed from $4 million in 2020 to $4.2 million in 2021. Additionally, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Internet Crime Center (IC3) received 791,790 cybercrime reports in 2020 – an increase of 300,000 reports from 2019, which resulted in more than $4.2 billion in losses to individuals and victims.

So, how do you begin to address the potential gaps in your organization’s cybersecurity defense strategy? To begin, consider the data that was shared during a recent webinar conducted by Aureon and SilverSky experts. SilverSky partners with thousands of organizations to deliver sophisticated cybersecurity tools and solutions.

Cybersecurity is about defense layers

A combination of executable tactics is what protect businesses from cybersecurity threats. These tactics are executed by people, processes, and technologies.

• People: Maintain a security-centric work culture that includes cybersecurity training and exercises. This empowers your workforce to be mindful of security threats that come via email, social engineering, and more.
• Process: Follow compliance standards to ensure your business is operating at the highest level of security possible. This includes executing FFIEC, HIPAA, and SOC2 Type II standards.
• Technology: Leverage trusted cybersecurity tools and the expertise of managed service providers to keep those tools operating optimally. A combination of technology defense strategies will help your organization mitigate threats before they happen.

At the crossroads of People, Processes and Technology, organizations are able to find an effective balance between strategies. While perfect execution of all these strategies is obviously not always possible; each pillar acts as a safety net for the others when there are gaps in execution. Additionally, a combination of strategies that span People, Processes, and Technology allow you to meet the evolving compliance standards.

Leverage Security Information and Event Monitoring (SIEM) to protect endpoints

With complete visibility into all your endpoint activity, you will be able to detect threats across all major vectors. SIEM allows your organization to view and analyze activity taking place at your endpoints, which are primary targets when it comes to cyberattacks. Ninety-five percent of breaches occur at the endpoint as they are the weakest links for organizations large and small. Additionally, SIEM acts as an additional layer of defense against attackers who are using more sophisticated tools.

Consider a partnership with a managed service provider

Partnering with a managed service provider means that a dedicated team of experts is monitoring your network 24/7, year-round. It also translates to IT system efficiencies and can positively impact your bottom line thanks to predictable, fixed costs. Other benefits to partnering with a managed service provider include:

1. Enhanced Security

Proactive IT support typically involves the deployment of antivirus protection and data encryption technology. Network security solutions may include firewall management, content filtering, and intrusion protection. Secure cloud backup and disaster recovery offer advanced protection.

2. Increased Productivity

Modern businesses rely on technology to stay competitive. If your network goes down unexpectedly, a remote or onsite team who is already familiar with your IT infrastructure will work to quickly find a solution. Less downtime ensures that employees can get back to work and stay productive.

3. Better Planning

Because your network is being monitored and maintained around-the-clock, there is less of a chance for unexpected IT expenses to occur that can easily derail your annual budget. Reporting options on technology performance provide accurate records of where your IT infrastructure stands. They will also help you plan your IT budget for the next fiscal year to achieve your goals.

Proactively protect your network with Aureon’s managed IT solution

Through our ProCare solution, Aureon delivers robust and comprehensive security tools and expertise to meet your business’s cybersecurity objectives. We understand that every organization is unique, so we offer a personalized approach to our tiered support services to ensure you receive the appropriate and scalable solutions for today and tomorrow.

Aureon’s Basic, Standard, and Premium ProCare tiers provide varying levels of managed IT services. Each tier offers clearly defined product features and easy-to-understand pricing. In addition, all the features of the previous tier packages extend to the next protection tier.

1. Basic ProCare Protection

Basic ProCare gives you access to our team of IT experts who take the time to learn the ins and outs of your business. Aureon will manage your software updates and provide technical support. They will also patch and report IT issues in as little as 12 business days.

2. Standard ProCare Protection

This option includes 24/7, year-round network and monitoring maintenance. It also includes anti-ransomware and anti-exploit protection. Automated services ensure your network and systems remain patched, updated, and secure from outside threats.

Network security services that are part of the Standard ProCare plan include:

• Firewall management
• Content filtering
• Anti-virus protection
• Intrusion prevention
• This plan also offers secure data backup with options for disaster recovery, disk encryption, DNS traffic monitoring and protection, policy enforcement, and vulnerability scanning.

3. Premium ProCare Protection

Premium ProCare adds security information event monitoring, security operations monitoring, and managed endpoint detection and response. These services provide the highest level of protection against ransomware attacks and other cybersecurity threats.

View Aureon’s full webinar for a more in-depth look at the importance of a holistic, multi-layered cybersecurity defense approach.