As the cyber threat landscape grows more complex, businesses are under increasing pressure to maintain robust cybersecurity measures. Many companies rely on their internal IT teams to handle security; however, with threats evolving rapidly, even the most talented in-house teams can find it challenging to keep up. This is where co-managed security services (CMSS) come into play, acting as an essential extension of a company’s internal security team.
Here are seven ways that co-managed security services are crucial for enhancing an organization’s cybersecurity posture, alleviating workload, and fostering a culture of resilience.
Access to Specialized Cybersecurity Expertise
Cybersecurity demands specialized knowledge and skills, and as threats grow more sophisticated, internal teams often need help navigating the landscape. Co-managed security services (CMSS) provide access to the expertise of a managed security services provider, whose team consists of professionals who are continually trained on the latest cybersecurity developments, emerging threats, and advanced tools.
Benefits of this partnership include:
- Threat Intelligence and Awareness: CMSSs provide real-time threat intelligence and insights that in-house teams may lack, helping them stay ahead of potential attacks.
- Up-to-Date Skills: CMSSs continually invest in skill development and certifications, ensuring they are well-versed in current threats, compliance requirements, and technologies.
- Collaborative Knowledge Transfer: CMSSs don’t just work alongside internal teams; they often train them, building internal capacity for better, long-term cybersecurity practices.
Enhanced Scalability and Flexibility
How co-managed services enhance flexibility:
- Dynamic Coverage: Businesses can scale up or down with co-managed services as needed, without the cost of hiring additional staff.
- Customizable Engagement: The in-house team can manage specific security functions (like endpoint management or user access), while the CMSS takes on complex tasks such as network monitoring, threat hunting, and incident response.
- Adaptability to Business Changes: During mergers, acquisitions, or growth phases, co-managed services can quickly scale to accommodate the expanded network, ensuring continuous protection.
Continuous Threat Monitoring and Rapid Incident Response
Cyber threats are not limited to business hours. For companies relying solely on internal teams, maintaining 24/7 monitoring can be difficult and costly. Co-managed security services offer round-the-clock monitoring, allowing internal teams to focus on strategic tasks during business hours without compromising security.
Co-managed services provide:
- Proactive Threat Detection: CMSSs offer continuous monitoring, enabling them to detect and address suspicious activity before it escalates into a breach.
- Accelerated Incident Response: When a security incident occurs, a co-managed service team can jump in, often mitigating the threat within minutes. The combined response capability of in-house and external teams minimizes damage and accelerates recovery.
- Comprehensive Remediation Support: CMSSs work with internal teams to resolve incidents fully, closing any security gaps, identifying root causes, and suggesting preventive measures.
Cost-Efficiency Without Compromising Quality
Building a dedicated, in-house cybersecurity team with top-tier tools and constant training is costly. Co-managed services allow businesses to tap into the resources of an CMSS—without a significant upfront investment.
Cost advantages include:
- Reduced Overhead: CMSSs offer tools and technologies (like Security Information and Event Management systems, threat intelligence feeds, etc.) as part of their service package, saving on software licensing and maintenance costs.
- Pay-As-You-Go Model: Businesses can adjust their co-managed services based on current needs, only paying for the level of support required, which is more cost-effective than hiring and training additional internal staff.
- Access to Enterprise-Grade Tools: CMSSs often provide access to enterprise-level security tools, which would be otherwise too expensive or complex for smaller teams to maintain.
Reduced Workload and Burnout for Internal Teams
In-house IT teams often wear multiple hats—overseeing everything from daily tech support to systems management and cybersecurity. When they’re also expected to handle advanced cybersecurity tasks, this can lead to burnout, affecting both team morale and productivity. Co-managed services relieve this burden by handling high-demand, time-sensitive cybersecurity activities.
How co-managed services help alleviate internal workload:
- Delegation of Routine Security Tasks: CMSSs can manage routine tasks such as patch management, vulnerability scanning, and log monitoring, freeing internal teams for higher-priority tasks.
- On-Demand Support: For unexpected spikes in workload—whether due to a major attack or the introduction of new systems—the CMSS can provide additional resources to help manage the load.
- Better Focus on Core Business Activities: By reducing security distractions, internal teams can focus on strategic projects and innovation that drive business growth.
- 600+ working hours can be saved each year by outsourced IT support.
Supporting Compliance and Audits
Many industries face stringent regulatory requirements around data privacy and cybersecurity (such as HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR, and CMMC). Compliance is not only critical for avoiding penalties but also for maintaining customer trust. Co-managed security services can simplify compliance by helping organizations meet regulatory standards and preparing them for audits.
Compliance support includes:
- Expert Guidance: CMSSs bring in-depth knowledge of relevant regulatory frameworks and help establish policies that align with compliance requirements.
- Audit-Ready Documentation: Many CMSSs offer regular reporting and documentation, which simplifies the audit process and helps demonstrate a company’s compliance efforts.
- Continuous Monitoring for Compliance: Co-managed services can monitor for compliance gaps, helping businesses avoid potential fines, penalties, or legal repercussions.
Long-Term Resilience and a Security-First Culture
A successful cybersecurity program isn’t just about immediate protection; it’s about fostering a proactive, security-first culture across the entire organization. Co-managed security services work alongside internal teams, helping them develop security best practices that become part of the business’s DNA.
Building a security-first culture with co-managed services:
- Regular Training and Knowledge Sharing: CMSSs often provide ongoing training, helping internal teams and employees learn about current threats, phishing tactics, and proper cybersecurity hygiene.
- Development of Security Policies: Co-managed services can assist in creating and enforcing security policies that align with organizational goals, helping to embed cybersecurity in everyday operations.
- Strategic Security Planning: CMSSs collaborate with internal teams to develop long-term security strategies, ensuring the business can adapt to future threats and regulatory changes.
In-house Knowledge + Specialized Expertise
Co-managed security services are more than an external resource—they’re an extension of a company’s internal team. By blending in-house knowledge with specialized expertise, businesses gain a scalable, flexible, and cost-effective way to protect against today’s cyber threats. This partnership not only eases the load on internal teams but also builds a stronger, more resilient security posture that prepares businesses for the future.
In today’s digital landscape, co-managed security services are essential for any organization seeking to maintain a proactive, sustainable approach to cybersecurity while fostering a security-first culture.
Why use our cybersecurity services?
- 100% U.S. based
- 24/7 monitoring
- Tailored solutions that align with business goals
- Proactive risk assessments and vulnerabilities identification
- Expert guidance to meet insurance and regulatory requirements
Is your business protected? LaScala’s Co-Managed Security Services are a 24/7/365 solution designed to address these escalating challenges. Connect with our team today.
