Best Practices for Managed Security Implementation

Even the best-managed security programs can fall short if implemented poorly. Correctly executing managed security is just as important as selecting the right vendor. In fact, it is the final step in choosing that vendor for your business.

Let’s dive into how to best implement managed security in your business.

Importance of a Plan in Managed Security Implementation

If you’ve done your homework right, you have a shortlist of vendors who appear to have the necessary expertise, time, resources, and knowledge to work with you. However, without a solid plan for an effective vendor implementation, you may not be able to fully take advantage of what a managed security program has to offer.

Several factors come into play when employing managed security that make planning imperative. Some of those factors include:

• Compliance issues
• Training
• Cost considerations (if applicable)
• Integration with existing systems
• Protecting sensitive data

Each of the above elements can delay or complicate execution. They require a detailed plan between you and the managed security provider in order to run smoothly.

As an example, your managed security provider might come in ready to deploy the necessary security measures, only to discover that a certain percentage of your devices can’t be accessed without prior approval. Another example is implementing new security tools without considering employee familiarity. This can lead to confusion, frustration, and even lack of adoption.

A proper plan, laid out with precise steps to overcome each barrier, ensures you can avoid such challenges.

Effective Managed Security Implementation

After your plan is in place, you can get busy with the actual execution. To ensure implementation and the relationship with your managed security program goes as smoothly as possible, here are a few tips to consider.

Establish benchmarks to measure success

You should agree on and set benchmarks with your managed security provider. Even if the managed security provider leads the way, deployment should be a combined effort as you know your security posture prior to implementation. It’s essential to be concrete about what you consider to be a success so the vendor can take your views into account when putting your security into place.  

Get organizational buy-in

Another important factor is to engender a security-minded culture in your company. This needs to be put in place well before the managed security provider starts implementation. By involving all stakeholders in the process, the entire company is ready to work with your managed security program provider and follow any new processes or policies. 

Keep communications open

Implementation isn’t only about the vendor. Correctly implementing managed security is a team effort. All other things being equal, proper communication and collaboration between you and the vendor will streamline all processes and ensure the long-term benefit of top-quality service.

By communicating the quirks of your business precisely, the vendor can deploy security tools more efficiently without ripping up the yard. And be aware, this doesn’t apply only at the beginning—ongoing collaboration is essential. Unplanned issues such as technical bugs, opening a new office, unexpected layoffs, or changes to underlying infrastructure can all affect your company’s security posture down the line. Maintaining a solid relationship into the future and regularly collaborating with your provider gives you the best chance of correctly implementing new security measures on an ongoing basis, despite unexpected changes.

Why Managed Security Implementation Should Be a Priority 

Improper implementation can lead to a false sense of security that is abruptly shattered after a data breach. Failure to regularly communicate and coordinate with your managed security is equally detrimental.

The security landscape is constantly changing, and so are the factors in your business. As the person on the ground, you should keep the managed security provider informed of any developments so they can take appropriate action as necessary. Even if you don’t think a particular circumstance will impact security, it’s better to communicate it than not.

Properly implementing managed security is a nuanced and ongoing process that requires careful planning, open dialog, and strong collaboration between all stakeholders. In that way, everyone wins. 

A well-crafted managed security implementation plan, guided by expertise and collaboration, is essential to unlocking the full potential of any managed security program. Although a plan signifies preparedness, aligning with the right managed security provider makes it more effective.

SolCyber is a seasoned managed security provider for organizations of all sizes and understands the intricate framework of managed security implementation. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business tailor and execute an effective managed security plan.

FAQs

1: Why is a solid plan crucial for implementing managed security?

A well-executed plan is essential because it addresses various factors such as compliance, training, cost, integration, and data protection. Without a detailed plan, complications can arise during implementation, potentially hindering the benefits of a managed security program.

2: How can I ensure effective managed security implementation?

To ensure successful implementation, consider the following tips:

• Establish measurable benchmarks with your managed security provider.
• Foster a security-minded culture within your organization before implementation.
• Maintain open communication and collaboration with the vendor throughout the process and beyond to adapt to unforeseen changes.

3: Why should managed security implementation be a top priority?

Proper implementation is crucial to avoid a false sense of security and respond effectively to evolving threats. Regular communication with your managed security provider is essential to keep up with changes in the security landscape and your business environment. A well-crafted implementation plan, guided by expertise and collaboration, unlocks the full potential of a managed security program.

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