Key Cyber Security Outsourcing Trends for 2021

Monica Morris • February 5, 2021

The pandemic is still on and its impact on business will persist for a long time. It exerted a big influence on the adoption of remote working and outsourcing of IT Services to ensure smooth business operation. The COVID-induced restrictions affected businesses in various ways and also inspired rapid changes in technology usage. Some of the changes include new technology adoption which was followed by a sharp increase in cyberattacks. Hence, business managers are re-evaluating their IT plan priorities especially in the area of cyber security outsourcing as an effective solution against cyber attacks. These trends were addressed in an opinion survey of 500 IT managers by syntax.

Here, will discuss the key findings of the IT survey and what it means for your business security.

1. Covid-19 Accelerated Digital Technology Adoption

Many businesses implemented unplanned digital transformation in order to cope with the pandemic. About 89% of businesses saw an increase in new digital technology adoption following the coronavirus outbreak. This technology transformation overstretched organizations’ IT teams responsible for setting up collaborative networks for remote working and managing its security.

The rapid change in the environment emphasizes the importance of having a solid network and security policy in place.

2. Cyber security Outsourcing is Gaining Popularity

Cloud deployment, monitoring, and security cannot be adequately tackled by in-house teams for reasons of time, skills, or expertise.

Hence, IT managers are asking for more in the area of cloud management, security, and transitioning of work systems.

About 23% of respondents now favor outsourcing cyber security to an MSP to replace or augment their in-house teams.

3. Budget Cuts for IT department

Despite an increase in cyber attacks following the covid-19 outbreak, 79% of managers reduced their IT team’s capacity to cope with dwindling budgets. An inadequately manned security team may expose a business to attacks.

4. Increased Need for Strategic Advice

IT leaders in companies with internal security teams are looking forward to outsourcing their cybersecurity work to MSPs. Their main reason for this is to get more strategic counsels about IT security.

Currently, 91% of survey respondents manage internal security operations centers(SOCs) for their organization. However, this arrangement is inadequate for addressing the security challenges posed by cybercriminals. Also, IT managers are not getting what they need for adequate organizational defense. Almost half of the survey respondents with in-house security groups want to work with MSPs to get strategic advice on how to defend against cyberattacks.

5. More Interest in Cloud Infrastructure

Whether it is setting up multi-cloud or hybrid cloud systems, IT managers are very enthusiastic about increasing the cloud integration of their organization to expand storage and promote business flexibility.

6. Cloud Security is a Major Concern for Deployment

When asked, IT industry leaders choose security as the most challenging aspect of cloud migration.

They are concerned about maintaining business continuity and security. However, these concerns do not translate into a proportional investment for cybersecurity. For instance, more storage is favored by 62% of respondents, while hybrid cloud and maintenance got a nod from close to half of managers.

About 56% of IT executives are planning to spend 40% of the organization’s budget on cyber security. These include services such as threat intelligence, malicious bots detection, and blocking vulnerability in software and network. Improving cybersecurity is not among the top 3 spending priority projects for 2021. This may open up businesses to attacks from bad actors.

7. Data Analytics Leads the Pack

Data analytics took the front among survey participants. About 55% of survey respondents are planning to invest more in data analytics and business intelligence in 2021 compared to 42% in 2020. This is expected to help businesses gain a competitive advantage by making data-driven business decisions.

8. Opposition to Cloud Adoption among Top Management

The rapid migration of business systems to the cloud to facilitate remote working provides an excellent opportunity for IT managers to demonstrate the importance of cloud adoption. Despite the success recorded in moving office settings to the cloud, some top business managers are still reluctant to embrace cloud technology as stated in the Syntax report.
This survey of IT managers is important because it reveals the future action organizations and industry trends regarding how businesses will protect themselves against cyberattacks with the aid of Managed service providers.

The pandemic has permanently changed the way many organizations operate. It is up to you as a business owner to ensure that your organization is properly secured against cyber attacks. This can be achieved by working with expert outsourced cybersecurity support to properly migrate your business to the cloud and keep it safe.

*****

Going forward, businesses will increasingly rely on MSP and third-party security solutions to keep their data and network safe from attacks.

The post Key Cyber Security Outsourcing Trends for 2021 appeared first on SDTEK | San Diego, CA.

< Older Post Newer Post >

Understanding IT Security Compliance Requirements for Businesses

February 5, 2025

Protecting sensitive data is more critical than ever before. As cyber threats continue to rise, governments and regulatory bodies have introduced compliance frameworks to ensure businesses take appropriate measures to safeguard data. However, understanding these requirements can be overwhelming, especially since they vary by industry and location. We'll discuss some of the most common IT security compliance frameworks—such as HIPAA, CMMC, and CCPA—and explain their relevance to different industries. Whether you work in healthcare, manufacturing, or serving California residents, this guide will help you navigate the complex world of IT security compliance.

How IT Support Services Can Enhance Your Business's Cybersecurity Strategy

October 23, 2024

In today’s interconnected digital landscape, cybersecurity is more than just a necessity—it's essential to business survival. Cyberattacks are becoming more frequent and evolving in sophistication, leaving companies vulnerable to data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage. A robust cybersecurity strategy is critical to safeguarding your business from these growing threats. One of the most effective ways to enhance your cybersecurity defenses is by leveraging the expertise of professional IT support services. The Importance of a Strong Cybersecurity Strategy Every business, regardless of size or industry, is a potential target for cybercriminals. The consequences of a successful cyberattack can be devastating, ranging from financial losses and operational downtime to legal liabilities and damage to your brand's reputation. This is why developing and maintaining a robust cybersecurity strategy is more important than ever. A strong cybersecurity strategy helps your business: Protect sensitive data: Safeguarding customer information, intellectual property, and financial records. Ensure compliance: Meet regulatory requirements, such as CMMC, HIPAA, and SOC2, to avoid fines and legal repercussions. Maintain business continuity: Minimizing disruptions caused by cyberattacks and ensuring quick recovery when incidents occur. Build customer trust: Demonstrating to customers and partners that their data is secure, which can lead to stronger relationships and business growth. While some businesses attempt to handle cybersecurity internally, IT support services offer a more comprehensive, proactive, and scalable approach to protecting your business. Cybersecurity Services Provided by IT Support Teams IT support services can significantly enhance your cybersecurity strategy by offering a wide range of specialized services. Here’s how they contribute to protecting your business: 1. Risk Assessments and Vulnerability Audits One of the first steps in strengthening your cybersecurity strategy is understanding where your business is most vulnerable. IT support teams conduct risk assessments and vulnerability audits to identify potential weaknesses in your network, applications, and infrastructure. These assessments provide a clear picture of your business's risks, enabling you to take targeted action to mitigate those risks. 2. Implementation of Security Protocols Once vulnerabilities are identified, IT support services implement security protocols tailored to your business’s needs. This may include: Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Establishing barriers that prevent unauthorized access to your network. Data Encryption: Ensuring that sensitive data is encrypted in transit and at rest, protecting it from cybercriminals. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adding extra authentication layers ensures that only authorized personnel can access critical systems and data. Endpoint Protection: Securing all devices (laptops, desktops, mobile phones) connected to your network from malware and other threats. Applying these and other security measures can help IT support services fortify your defenses against internal and external threats. 3. Ongoing Monitoring and Threat Detection Cyberattacks can happen at any time and often occur when businesses are least prepared. IT support services provide 24/7 monitoring to detect suspicious activity in real-time. Through advanced monitoring tools and threat intelligence, IT teams can quickly identify and respond to potential threats before they escalate into full-scale attacks. This proactive approach to monitoring reduces downtime, prevents data breaches, and minimizes the impact of cyber incidents. IT support teams can continuously update and patch systems to address emerging vulnerabilities, ensuring your cybersecurity defenses remain current. 4. Incident Response and Remediation Even with robust security measures, no system is entirely immune to cyberattacks. When an incident occurs, the speed and efficiency of the response are critical in minimizing damage. IT support teams are equipped with incident response protocols to quickly isolate affected systems, investigate the root cause, and restore normal operations. With a well-coordinated incident response plan, businesses can significantly reduce downtime, prevent further data loss, and recover quickly from attacks. 5. Security Awareness Training for Employees Employees are often the weakest link in cybersecurity, with many attacks originating from phishing schemes, weak passwords, or social engineering. IT support services provide security awareness training to educate your staff about the latest cyber threats and best practices for staying safe online. Training employees on recognizing phishing attempts, using strong passwords, and securely handling sensitive data can dramatically reduce the likelihood of human error leading to a security breach. 6. Compliance Support For businesses in regulated industries, staying compliant with data protection regulations is not optional—it’s mandatory. IT support teams can help ensure your business meets all necessary compliance requirements, such as CMMC, HIPAA, or SOC2. This includes maintaining audit trails, ensuring data encryption, and implementing security controls to protect sensitive information. By working with IT support services, businesses can avoid costly penalties and demonstrate their commitment to protecting customer data. Conclusion A strong cybersecurity strategy is vital to any business's success in today’s digital world. By partnering with an IT support service, businesses can enhance their cybersecurity defenses through risk assessments, security protocol implementation, continuous monitoring, and employee training. These services protect data and help ensure business continuity and compliance with industry regulations. If your business wants to strengthen its cybersecurity posture, now is the time to consider working with an IT support provider. Doing so lets you stay ahead of evolving cyber threats and focus on growing your business with peace of mind. Ready To Strengthen Your Cybersecurity With SDTEK? Don't leave your business vulnerable to cyber threats. At SDTEK, we offer comprehensive IT support and managed cybersecurity services designed to protect your business and ensure seamless operations. Whether you need risk assessments, ongoing monitoring, or incident response, our team of experts is here to help. Contact SDTEK today for a free consultation and discover how we can enhance your cybersecurity strategy and safeguard your business. Protect your data, reputation, and future—partner with SDTEK now!