Managed Identity Services vs. On-Prem Security Teams: Making the Right Choice for Business Growth

Managed Identity Services can be an appealing option for organizations looking to improve their security stance without the hassle of overseeing all aspects of identity and access management. With a team of highly trained identity and access management (IAM) professionals monitoring your systems 24/7 with cutting-edge technologies and implementing proactive security measures, you can reduce costs, mitigate risks, and keep your focus where it needs to be—growing your business.

The Hidden Costs of In-House Identity Security

Conventional wisdom suggests that setting up your own Security Operations Center (SoC) will streamline your operations and save costs, but the truth is that it's not that simple.

Identity security is a 24/7 job that requires specialized expertise and adaptability in the face of rapid change and technological advances. New tools, processes, and threats emerge daily - and teams without adequate resources for training and upgrades can't keep up, leaving the organization with exploitable vulnerabilities.

And that's if you can find security professionals to fill the spots on your team. With a deficit of 4 million qualified cybersecurity professionals, businesses worldwide are all jockeying to hire IT security teams. It's a seller's market for top-level security professionals, and competition is fierce. Companies that manage to recruit experienced cybersecurity professionals will need to continuously invest in them to retain them. Retaining this talent will require competitive salaries, benefits, and opportunities for training and development. Organizations also need to consider what happens when that top talent does leave - do they take their knowledge with them and disrupt business continuity?

But wait. There's more. Those are just the challenges related to your people and processes. As technology advances, so does your need for new and upgraded tools. For many organizations, making ongoing investments in software systems and infrastructure can be costly, but the alternative, operating with outdated tools and processes, can be even more expensive.

The Business Advantage of Managed Identity Services

Managed Identity Services offer solutions at a cost comparable to creating and maintaining a security program in-house, but with some key advantages.

• Predictable Pricing Structure: In-house security programs have many unexpected expenses, from technology upgrades to hiring and retention. Managed services usually follow a yearly subscription model that provides predictability and stability.
• Access to Best-of-Breed Technology: Working with an MIS provider means that you have access to cutting-edge and highly efficient technologies that help you stay one step ahead of evolving threats without the need for new tool investments.
• Reduced Downtime: With in-house security teams, every crisis is yours to handle. Even minor problems can result in significant downtime and lost productivity. Managed Services teams specialize in rapid response to get you back up and running without delay.
• Single Point of Contact: Complex identity programs rely on various tools and services, some of which may be fragmented across the organization. Working with a Managed Services provider gives you a single point of contact for threat detection and response.
• 24/7 Monitoring: With MIS, there is no need for overnight, holiday, and weekend shifts. Hybrid on-shore/off-shore security teams provide round-the-clock monitoring through their “follow the sun” approach. No matter where, no matter when, our teams are ever vigilant - and available.
• Proactive Risk Mitigation: MIS providers regularly conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to discover and rectify any weaknesses before potential attackers can exploit them.
• Simplified Compliance: Navigating the landscape of industry regulations is a huge task for businesses to tackle alone. MIS providers can offer their expertise in compliance matters to ensure compliance with industry standards such as HIPAA1, GDPR2, and PCI DSS3.
• Checkbook Hours: But what about unexpected costs? Runaway costs can be a huge problem for on-premises security teams. You can plan your budget and allocate resources to cover your expected costs, but just one incident can be enough to upend your budget and lead to a cascade of additional expenses. KeyData's Managed Identity Services help you avoid unexpected costs while protecting your bottom line. Each MIS engagement includes an allotment of 20-80 monthly “checkbook hours” to work with our teams on special projects outside of the scope of your SLA.

Managed Identity Security Services for Organizations of All Sizes

As in life, the only constant in cybersecurity is change. That's why no solution is flawless, and no single action you take today can promise you security in the future. That's what makes the challenge of identity security so daunting. However, working with a Managed Identity Services provider can lower the overall risk of being targeted in an attack and give you the tools and capabilities you need to detect and mitigate threats before substantial harm occurs.

At KeyData, we offer Managed Identity Services to support your organization's security goals. Our experienced team uses the latest technologies and top industry methods to create customized solutions that cater to your requirements.

Contact us today to learn more.

About the Author

Awais Akbar
Head of Managed Services