INTELLIGENT CLOUD
Four key pointers for partners getting into managed security services
Channel partners need to build on resources, partnering, cloud, role play, as they enter managed security services, advises Tarek Jundi at Intel Security.
Over the last couple of years, between the spate of high profile cyber-attacks, the resulting focus on security and the uptake of cloud and IoT, enterprises in the Middle East have realised the only way to safeguard against cyber threats is to deploy cloud-first, integrated security solutions that address entire threat defense lifecycle.
While this makes perfect sense in principle, the reality is that few organisations have resources and the technical know-how to deploy and manage a robust security solution across enterprise networks. To address this security gap, more and more organisations are turning to managed security service providers.
In fact, according to a 2015 Infonetics research report titled Cloud and CPE Managed Security Services, the demand for managed security services is growing at double digit figures and is expected to reach close to $ 20 billion globally by 2019.
Global IT research firm Gartner, defines managed security services as remote monitoring or management of IT security functions delivered via shared services from remote security operations centers and not through personnel on-site.
For inclusion within Gartner’ s managed security service provider criteria, players must be able to remotely monitor and manage, through shared service delivery, firewalls, intrusion detection prevention devices from multiple vendors and have security operation centres in multiple locations, among other requirements.
So, what are some of the key success factors that channel partners should consider when embarking on this managed security service providers journey?
Talent gap
1 Talent shortage in the Middle East and
globally for that matter, particularly in the security space, is a topic of discussion. In fact, by 2017, reports suggest that there will be a shortage of 2 million cybersecurity professionals skilled in analytics and forensics. The limited resource availability directly translates to weak security protection levels within an organisation and the net result is longer lead times for protection, detection and correction.
While this is one of the main drivers for organisations, when choosing to partner with managed security service providers, the onus now falls on them to bridge this talent gap.
Competing against security vendors for talent could be an effort in futility. Channel
34 Issue 03 INTELLIGENT TECH CHANNELS