Internet Security: Here’s What MSPs Need to Know

What is the current state of the Internet security landscape?

Several members of the CompTIA IT Security Community and staff shared their perspectives on the state of Internet security in 2015, along with the impact of Internet security on managed service providers (MSPs) and their customers. 

Here’s a closer look at three Internet security issues that MSPs need to know about:

1. Lack of preparation — Andrew Bagrin, CEO of security-as-a-service (SECaaS) provider My Digital Shield, pointed out that Internet security often becomes a concern only after an organization suffers a cyber attack. “The bottom line is that we do not take things seriously and are always looking for ways to skirt without having to spend extra money on prevention,” he said in a prepared statement. 
2. Easy access to data — New technologies simplify data access but also can increase the risk of Internet security threats. “The ease in which we can just plug things in and access them from anywhere on the Internet has added a multiple to the threat that almost can’t be measured,” said Ron Culler, executive vice president of Internet security solutions provider Secure Designs. 
3. Securing the Internet of Things — The Internet of Things (IoT) provides new collaboration opportunities, but it has created new risks for organizations too. “With the number of devices connected to the Internet, the sources of infections have multiplied,” said Beat Kramer, CEO of IT security solutions distributor Contronex. “This requires a layered approach to security, including protection for bring-your-own-device and IoT endpoints.”

MSPs that enter the managed security services market can protect their customers against myriad cyber threats and capitalize on a rapidly growing sector as well.

Transparency Market Research has predicted the cloud-based managed security services market could be worth more that $24 billion by 2019. The market research firm also said it expects this segment to expand at a 15.4 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2013 and 2019.

In addition, Trustwave‘s “2015 Security Pressures Report” revealed 78 percent of information security professionals said they were likely or planned to partner with a managed security service provider (MSSP) this year.

What are your thoughts on the state of Internet security? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below, via Twitter @dkobialka or email me at dan.kobialka@penton.com.