Managed Security – How MSPs Deal with Cloud Security?

Using cloud provides a variety of benefits, but also it comes with its own sets of risks, particularly in terms of data security. With many enterprises that leap head-first into the cloud, MSPs or managed service providers now faced not just with meeting the different needs of their clients, but also to ensure that their data is safe.

Investing in 3^rd Party Auditing

Cyber attacks may strike any moment, yet it does not mean that MSPs are not able to sniff out possible threat vectors and help the clients protect their private information in anticipation of these attacks. Unluckily, data protection still is not being treated as the priority it must be in a highly connected environment today.

It is up to the MSPs to carry out due diligence when shoring up and pinpointing potential exposure as well as entry points in the cloud infrastructure of the customer. In many cases, this may be accomplished through having experienced 3^rd party organization conducts security audits regularly. Information from such audits may be used to get rid of the weak points in data-handling facets of clients. Gained insights from the 3^rd party auditing may be also used to improve a variety of MSP practices, assets, and services.

Dealing with Encryption and Compliance

Remaining in compliance with industry-specific regulations or company-wide mandates is a crucial consideration for a lot of enterprise customers. For managed service providers, the significance of helping the clients remain compliant while adhering to their individual standards and preferences can’t be overstated. Moreover, managed service providers stay a step ahead in terms of dealing with possible threats.

Encryption is also a must for data, regardless if it is in transit through the cloud infrastructures or at rest on the hardware and virtual storage. Clients can also request that their managed service providers set up a management system that is encryption-key. MSPs are also tasked with fulfilling the request in a manner that shields the team of managed service providers from the liability problems while protecting clients from the security risks.

Transparency of Data Location is Important

Data location and ownership are crucial problems that managed service providers should be ready to address and if possible, take responsible action. There are times when the clients require an increased control where data is located and unexpected issues, which turn up might expose the managed service provider to an increased liability. Due to this, MSPs should be transparent regarding the location of the data of their clients always. Moreover, the ability to control that regions and countries host their data must be available to the clients. MSPs should also avoid retaining or gaining access to the encryption keys of their clients as it creates trust problems and may complicate some matters if the data is seized for any reason.

Even if security has not been traditionally in the average purview of the managed service provider, the enterprises expect them to maintain and develop high standards in terms of infrastructure and data protection.

For more information please see this Managed Data Security Solutions