TL;DR
A Managed Strategy provides organizations with outsourced cybersecurity expertise, like a virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO), to build a customized, risk-based security program. This approach helps businesses with limited internal resources to navigate the complex threat landscape and develop a dynamic defense.
The digital age has brought unprecedented challenges in maintaining a robust cybersecurity framework. The landscape is marked by sophisticated threats that are constantly evolving, making a static, reactive defense strategy no longer sustainable.
Understanding Managed Strategy
What is Managed Strategy?
Simply put, Managed Strategy is an outsourced solution for organizations who need cybersecurity expertise to guide them through the complex cyber landscape but lack the internal resources to do so. It fuses a deep understanding of your organization’s goals with the expertise of seasoned cybersecurity practitioners to build a customized, risk-based security program that navigates you through every stage of your cybersecurity journey.
Key Components of Managed Strategy
The goal of Managed Strategy is to offer consulting and advisory services that provide a clear roadmap for continuously strengthening and recalibrating your defenses. At ArmorPoint, our Managed Strategy Services are divided into vCISO and Infosec Advisory.
- vCISO: A virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) is your strategic partner, offering the expertise and foresight of a seasoned security leader without the overhead of a full-time executive. Our vCISOs guide your security strategy, policy development, and incident response planning, ensuring your security posture not only meets but exceeds industry standards.
- InfoSec Advisory: Staying ahead in cybersecurity necessitates a deep understanding of the evolving threat landscape. Our InfoSec Advisory services provide this insight, offering tailored advice based on the latest security trends, threat intelligence, and best practices. This service ensures that your cybersecurity strategy is not just reactive but proactive, adapting to new threats as they emerge.
The Need for a Dynamic Cybersecurity Strategy
Unlike the past, when cybersecurity was more about securing the perimeter, today’s challenges are about securing data across multiple platforms, devices, and even geographies. The shift to cloud services, the widespread use of mobile devices, and the rise of IoT have expanded the attack surface dramatically, necessitating a more sophisticated and agile cybersecurity program.
What’s more, modern cyber threats are not just increasing in number but in complexity. They are multi-faceted, highly targeted, and ever-evolving, making traditional, reactive security measures insufficient. These statistics say it all:
- Global cybercrime costs are expected to reach $10.5 trillion by 20251
- 75% of IT spending will go towards third-party solutions by 20252
- 1,900 new vulnerabilities emerge every month3
- 42% of companies experience cyber fatigue4
- The average time to identify a breach is 207 days5
- 61% of mid-sized businesses do not have dedicated cybersecurity experts in their organization6
- 47% of mid-sized businesses do not currently have an incident response plan7
The sheer volume and complexity of modern cyber threats demands a proactive, comprehensive approach to cybersecurity. Organizations must adapt and evolve their strategies to navigate this landscape, safeguarding their assets against the complex threats of today's digital world.
3 Essential Steps and Tools to Assess Your Security Strategy
A thorough assessment of your current security strategy is the first step in fortifying your defenses.
Engage with Internal Security Stakeholders or a vCISO
Your security strategy should be a boardroom discussion, not just an IT concern. If your team lacks a dedicated security leader, a vCISO can fill this gap, offering the strategic insight needed to steer your cybersecurity in the right direction.
Test Your People, Processes, and Technology
Continuously assess your people, processes, and technology to ensure constant vigilance. This includes risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities, business impact assessments to understand the potential consequences of security incidents, security posture assessments to gauge the overall strength of your defenses, and compliance gap assessments to ensure adherence to industry standards.
Review Policies and Procedures
Conducting systematic and frequent reviews of your security policies and procedures is pivotal. This process ensures that your organization's defenses align with the latest cybersecurity best practices and aids in complying with evolving regulatory standards.
Integrating Managed Strategy with Managed Risk and Managed SOC
While Managed Strategy sets the course for your cybersecurity journey, Managed Risk ensures you’re aware of the potential pitfalls along the way. That is, Managed Risk informs your strategy, offering actionable insights that guide your decision-making process.
Similarly, while Managed Strategy shapes your cybersecurity framework, Managed SOC brings it to life. By employing the right mix of technology, people, and processes, Managed SOC services execute your strategy while continuously offering feedback to ensure your cybersecurity program is dynamic and responsive.
Managed Strategy is not just a component of cybersecurity; it's a comprehensive approach that aligns closely with business goals and adapts to the ever-changing threat landscape. It addresses the increasing complexity of cyber threats by integrating strategic planning with practical solutions offered by Managed Risk and SecOps. By adopting Managed Strategy, organizations can ensure they are not only prepared for current threats but are also laying a foundation for future resilience and growth.
Take the first step towards a comprehensive, proactive cybersecurity strategy with ArmorPoint. Explore our services and schedule an introductory call with one of our experts today.
References
1 https://www.varonis.com/blog/cybersecurity-statistics
3 https://www.coalitioninc.com/announcements/coalition-releases-first-ever-cyber-threat-index-for-2023
4 https://www.varonis.com/blog/cybersecurity-statistics
5 https://www.ibm.com/reports/data-breach
6 https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2023/03/20/mid-sized-businesses-cybersecurity-challenges/
7 https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2023/03/20/mid-sized-businesses-cybersecurity-challenges/
About ArmorPoint
ArmorPoint, LLC is a managed cybersecurity solution that combines the three pillars of a robust cybersecurity program — people, processes, and technology — into a single solution. Designed by cybersecurity experts, ArmorPoint’s cloud-hosted SIEM technology and extended detection and response capabilities enable businesses to implement a highly-effective, scalable cybersecurity program. With customizable pricing available, every ArmorPoint plan offers a dynamic level of managed security services that support the risk management initiatives of all companies, regardless of available budget, talent, or time. ArmorPoint is developed and powered by Trapp Technology, Inc., a Phoenix-based IT managed services provider. To learn more about ArmorPoint, visit armorpoint.com.
