Your Security Posture isn't as Strong as You Think. What's the Solution?

What is enterprise security posture?

Your organization's security posture refers to the overall status of your readiness in terms of cybersecurity. With thousands of assets in your infrastructure - usually not all on a single site - you have to consider the vulnerabilities of each asset and a myriad of attack vectors. Your security posture measures:

1. The visibility level you have into your asset inventory
2. The visibility level you have into your enterprise's attack surface
3. The controls you have in place to protect your organization against cyberattacks
4. The plans and strategies to react to and recover from security breaches
5. The effectiveness of any automated features within your security program

To assess your organization's security, you need a full inventory of your IT assets. They are at the center of your security posture, and you need a fully accurate list to know what you need to protect. Your assets include all on-premise, cloud, mobile, third-party, managed and unmanaged assets. It also includes additional applications, infrastructure elements, and each asset's individual risk. 

Your internal security controls need to be audited too. Assessing their effectiveness can help determine what additional support or services your organization may need. Some controls, such as firewalls, are deployed to prevent attacks. Others, such as intrusion detection systems and event management systems, are used to detect attacks if they breach your protective controls. Additional tools and processes are needed for response and recovery from such attacks. 

The right combination of tools is essential to ensure your business is protected, but it isn't necessary or even possible for every organization to invest in this full suite of tools. Optimizing your security posture is about knowing your strengths but also your limitations. Many organizations believe they have done enough with preventative measures, but there is much more to do. 

How MDR can solve your security posture problems

MDR exists to deliver a whole range of comprehensive software, tools, and human expertise which work together to provide a complete cybersecurity solution. MDR not only removes the need for individual tools but can also be integrated into your existing security systems, ensuringe you have the level of protection you require. 

By 2025, 50% of organizations are expected to be using MDR services. Vendors offering these services specialize in ensuring their clients’ security infrastructure is as strong and robust as possible. MDR can close the gaps in your security posture and create a stronger defence against the threat of data breaches, social engineering, and other cybersecurity attacks. 

Customized solutions

A key selling point for MDR services is their flexibility, both in terms of customizability to suit your business' needs, and capacity to integrate into your current security setup easily. Customizing a solution to meet your needs is essential, as a one-size-fits-all approach seldom works in the cybersecurity world. When selecting your required security services, there are many considerations to keep in mind such as industry-specific compliance requirements, business policy requirements, and the security service needs of the organization. 

Budget-satisfying costs

MDR is an investment for any organization, but one that almost always results in long-term cost-savings and an overall cost advantage. The total cost of ownership when choosing MDR services is significantly lower than the cost of hiring an in-house security team and providing them with tools they need. When you add in the additional cost of regularly updating these tools and budgeting for 24/7 monitoring, the financial impact can be overwhelming. 

It's also important to consider how difficult it is to find, hire, and retain a reliable and suitably qualified security team. There is a global security staff shortage and underlying fears that the talent available can’t keep up with the demand, particularly as cyber threats continuously evolve. MDR organizations are already equipped with highly trained and talented staff in all areas of security management, analysis, and containment. As security specialists, MDR providers attract talent more easily as they already have the tools and infrastructure those qualified individuals need to succeed. 

AI meets authentic human intelligence

Data breaches and other cyberattacks are launched by humans. They may be using sophisticated technology and software to support their actions, but it all begins with human action. Therefore, your response cannot be fully automated or technology-based. Trained and experienced analysts have an advantage when detecting and responding to threats. Their experience means they can immediately react to and plan the right course of action when the technology notifies them of any kind of suspicious activity. Bringing together the latest tools and software with the right expertise ensures the highest level of protection for your organization. 

While many businesses believe they've ticked the security box by lining up firewalls and threat detectors, this is usually not enough. A strong security posture is not something any organization can be without. Taking the necessary steps to shore up your defences with MDR puts your business in a much stronger position.