IT security services vs cyber security managed services

These two terms can often be used interchangeably; however, the reality is there are subtle (but critical) nuances that set these services apart. It is vital that your organisation understands these differences, to ensure that you have a comprehensive approach to security that leaves no vulnerability unsecure.

Half of all businesses reported some form of cyber-attack or breach, so complete protection and recovery methods are vital considerations for all businesses’ futures.

To simplify securing your organisation, we’ve broken down:

• The difference between information technology security services and cyber security managed services
• Specific examples of each kind of service and their practical applications to your business
• How to choose which services your organisation needs

What’s the difference between information technology security services and cyber security managed services?

While both services are essential security considerations for organisations, they are distinct services with their own purposes.

Information technology security services

The purpose of these services is to:

• Protect your entire IT infrastructure, from your hardware to your software
• Ensure IT system management is effectively in place to improve operational resilience and the efficiency of processes
• Secure physical systems, such as data centres
• Control administrative security on IT systems, regulating user behaviours

They are typically focused on maintaining best practice for your hardware, software, networks, and data- to ensure consistent levels of security are maintained. However, IT security services also play a crucial role in repairing damage caused by any kind of cyber threat or incident.

Cyber security managed services

These services usually include consultancy and cyber security solutions, carried out with the goal of:

• Protecting digital assets and data against cyber threats such a malware, ransomware, and internal threats
• Monitoring systems to detect and eliminate threats before they become problems for your organisation
• Strengthening an organisation’s operational resilience and overall security posture
• Preventing costly data breaches

Cyber security services are generally focused on proactive defense measures to identify and protect against cyber threats, forming a shield around sensitive data. Cyber security generally does not cross into the physical space in the same way that information technology security does.

What do information technology security services involve?

Examples of these services include:

• Managed data backups- to ensure your data is recovered in the event of a cyber attack
• Disaster recovery- to minimise downtime with an effective disaster recovery plan in the event of your organisation being compromised
• AirGap and immutable storage- to isolate your data from internal and external interference
• Data storage solutions- to store data in a way that prevents unauthorised access, but is also cost-effective and compliant
• Cloud and data centre services- to make sure your infrastructure and architecture is flexible and unified, in a hybrid cloud environment
• Managed software services- to ensure your software licenses are up to date and compliant, using software asset management

What do cyber security managed services involve?

These services vary broadly, and include:

• Managed security information and event management (managed SIEM)- for totally managed 24/7 threat protection
• Exposure management- to gain a full picture of your vulnerabilities before they breach your defences
• Cyber security consultancy- to benefit from the insights of industry experts with the aim of enhancing your security posture
• Managed Detection and Response (MDR)- this leverages AI in cyber security to anticipate, detect, and respond to threats for rapid resolutions and complete endpoint management
• Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR)- to go a step further than endpoint management, deploying integrated cyber threat detection and response throughout your whole IT infrastructure
• Incident response- for 24/7 support, guidance, and assistance in the event of a cyber incident

How to decide which services your organisation needs

Ultimately, organisations need a combination of information technology security services and cyber security managed services to ensure their physical hardware, software, and customer data is secured against internal threats, external threats, and human error.

The first step an organisation should take is to assess where their gaps are.

Perhaps you have adequate threat detection measures in place, but no disaster recovery plan in the event an attack does slip through.

Or maybe your organisation is protected against external threats but hasn’t considered that internal threats must be protected against also.

This is overwhelming for an organisation to carry out, while balancing business as usual, so get in touch with our IT and cyber security experts who will easily find these security gaps for you.