One of the most common challenges companies run into with IT managed security services is the sheer headache of handling multiple vendors in multiple different areas all at once. Switching to a single point of accountability can be a huge advantage — but how does it work?
In this article, we’ll walk you through how a single point of accountability works when it comes to IT and cybersecurity services. We’ll show you the main benefits, explain some of the most common objections, and help you make a decision for your organization.
Why Work With a Vendor at All?
Any discussion about third-party service providers should start by answering the question, “why can’t I just do it myself?”
If you’re a big, advanced corporation with a highly skilled security team, you very well may be able to do that, but for most organizations, it simply isn’t feasible. Most companies are working with just a few security team members — if they have a security team at all.
Working with a third-party team of security experts allows companies like these to keep their assets and data safe without having to hire their own extensive internal team. They can tap into specialist expertise and sophisticated tools to take the pressure off your own staff.
What Do We Mean by a “Single Point of Accountability”?
When it comes to IT — and even specifically cybersecurity — many companies find themselves working with a whole cast of different vendors, each doing a different role. These vendors might include pentesting teams, compliance consultants, SOC teams, and much more. Often, these partners have very little — if any — contact with each other.
This results in a whole host of issues, such as:
- Confusion and difficulties with communication, since entirely different teams are trying to solve problems with poor collaboration
- Higher prices due to paying individually for several distinct services instead of one consolidated option
- Difficulty working out who or what is at fault when something goes wrong
- Inconsistency when it comes to solutions to issues, strategy, and tools
A single point of accountability is the alternative — one vendor to take care of all your security needs in one place. Let’s explore the benefits of that.
The Benefits of a Single Point of Accountability
Switching to just one vendor for your managed security services is, for many organizations, a moment of enormous relief.
Instead of having to juggle multiple vendors who may differ wildly in their communication methods, working style, preferences, and skill level, companies now have just one point of contact for all their security needs. Projects flow much more easily, communication is far more straightforward, and things fully click together. Here are some of the main benefits clients notice:
- Everything runs more smoothly. Without having to coordinate between a variety of disconnected vendors, security activities are much easier to plan and execute, with the same teams working on different tasks.
- There’s far more harmony and integration. When you work with one vendor using the same tools, approaches, and methods, all your security activities gel together much more easily, with minimal friction and dissonance.
- You’ll save money by working with one single provider instead of paying separately for multiple different vendors.
In addition to this, when something goes wrong, you know who to contact. The best vendors will be transparent and open about issues, working together with you to troubleshoot what happened and how to fix it. As the saying goes, it’s best to have “one head to pat, and one butt to kick.”
Some Common Objections to a Single Point of Accountability
Since we’re making a case for a single point of contact in your security, it only makes sense to look at some common objections and why we think they’re largely unfounded.
Objection: SPOC (single point of contact) vendors aren’t specialized.
Reality: A good Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) will be able to handle the vast majority of all your needs. They typically have their own extensive teams of specialists to deal with any issues. That said, if you encounter a truly unique issue that needs an external specialist, you can still hire one.
Objection: Working with an SPOC means putting all your eggs in one basket.
Reality: An MSSP who you trust, who understands your business and risk profile inside out, is far lower risk than a raft of more casual vendors. They can prevent problems much more effectively and respond to threats much more quickly and decisively. You can also vet them thoroughly beforehand, which is incredibly time-consuming when dealing with multiple vendors and opens you up to risk.
Objection: Working with different vendors allows you to pick and choose who does what, giving you more control over your operations.
Reality: Most companies hire MSSPs to save time, not create more work. Managing a ton of separate security partners is a full-time job, and negates many of the benefits of working with third parties in the first place. A good, reliable MSSP doesn’t need to be managed — they’ll work with you to build a strategy that lines up with your specific needs, challenges, and goals.
Embrace a Single Point of Accountability With DYOPATH & DYOGUARD
At DYOPATH, we provide a single point of accountability by bringing together our two services — DYOPATH to manage your overall IT infrastructure, and DYOGUARD to focus specifically on cybersecurity services.
Together, these two hemispheres form a single solution to manage multiple aspects of your organization’s productivity, efficiency, and safety. We’ll respond to issues much more quickly and effectively, with our teams working closely, side-by-side under one roof.
If you want to learn more about how we can help you benefit from a single point of IT accountability, schedule a call.
