Outsourcing Business IT Security: Pros & Cons
Are you feeling overwhelmed and overworked trying to manage your business’ IT infrastructure? With a growing and evolving array of cyber threats to contend with, businesses that handle their IT security in-house can easily find themselves struggling and vulnerable to threats. As it becomes more expensive and time-consuming to protect critical IT assets and customer data, many are asking themselves an important question: “Should I outsource my business IT security?”
For those who choose to outsource network security to a Managed Services Provider (MSP), the benefits are clear. However, there are also a number of drawbacks in business IT security to consider.
Outsourcing IT Security: Pros
Reduce Costs
A significant reduction in operating expenses is one of the leading value propositions for outsourcing business IT security. Training and maintaining an effective IT team in-house can be costly and time-consuming. Highly-skilled IT professionals are expensive. Hiring a firm allows you access to highly-skilled technicians without breaking the bank.
Additionally, with the costs of risk analysis, security appliances, applications, and equipment, outsourcing proves more cost-effective compared to in-house security solutions.
Seamless Support
Most MSPs offer the support, expertise, and resources that companies—particularly small businesses—may not have access to when relying on in-house solutions. For example, MSPs have the resources to keep up with emerging security trends, something that many in-house teams may not be able to do due to limited resources.
An outsourced MSP can also help your business avoid interruptions by catching problems before you even know they exist.
Focus on Core Business Operations
With IT security functions handled by a trusted MSP, businesses can devote more focus to core business objectives. In-house assets that were struggling to manage multiple workloads can now shift tasks to benefit other business areas. When you can focus on your strengths, your productivity and efficiency increases.
Compliance and Security
An MSP can ensure your process are up to date and compliant with industry regulations that are relevant. Outsourcing IT security increases the security you can offer your employees and customers. It also reduces the risk you carry by transferring that risk to the MSP.
Outsourcing IT Security: Cons
Less Control
Handing over the reins of IT security to a MSP also means handing over a large degree of control. If your business has a vested interest in maintaining full control over security and other business processes, outsourcing may not be the right option.
Outsourcing may also mean placing sensitive or confidential data in the hands of an outside entity. Confidentially agreements and service level agreements (SLAs) can help allay concerns over your sensitive data.
Shared Resources
The average MSP is often tasked with handling the IT security needs of multiple organizations at once. As such, IT security companies may be unable to devote an absolute focus on any one particular company’s needs. Minor issues may take longer to resolve than if you had someone in-house to address the issue.
While it looks like there are more positives than negatives to outsourcing your business IT security, you still have to weigh the benefits for your company. If you feel like you would benefit in some ways, but not others, look at having a small internal team to handle minor issues and coordinate with your chosen MSP for the bigger issues.
Braden IT aims to customize each IT service level agreement to your business’ needs. Contact us today!