What is security as a service (SECaaS)? And what is the difference between security as a service (SECaaS) and managed security service providers (MSSP)?
Security as a service (SECaaS) is security solution where various mechanisms of security services are being offered through cloud security solutions, including backup, authentication, network security, authorization, database security auditing, antimalware, storage, SIEM, IDS/IPS analysis and monitoring as a service (MaaS). It involves outsourcing these and other security services to third-parry providers that operate within the cloud environment. Moreover, SECaaS has become a crucial enabler of businesses in the cloud era and smart mobile devices proliferation because it offers secure access to services and applications regardless of where they are deployed or where customers are able to connect.
With SECaaS, security solutions are delivered through cloud based services and no longer delivered using local datacenters where organizations deploy malware protection software, data loss prevention, security information and event management (SIEM) and other security tools on each device in the organization. Besides, in SECaaS arrangement, organizations mainly rely on external providers to handle and manage cybersecurity requirements. Furthermore, SECaaS may allow organizations to have latest security solutions with rapid detection, automated incident response and machine learning-enabled features as they demand on a subscription basis.
Some benefits of SECaaS include the following:
- Deployment flexibility
- Cost savings
- Continuous monitoring
- Access to seasoned security experts and latest tools
- Faster provisioning of services
- Scalability
- Ease of configuration and management
- Availability of services
- More focus on business than cybersecurity requirements
According to Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), SECaaS are divided into the following major categories:
- Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR or BC/DR)
- Continuous Monitoring
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
- Email Security
- Encryption
- Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Intrusion Management
- Network Security
- Security Assessment
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
- Vulnerability Scanning
- Web Security
Some of the providers of Security as a Service (SECaaS) include the following;
- Palo Alto Networks
- Qualys
- Cipher
- Datadog
- Astra Pentest
- Intruder
- Sophos
- Hytrust
- Proofpoint
- CA Technologies
- Netskope
- Twistlock
- Symantec
- ZScaler
- Fortinet
- HackerOne
Both Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) and Security as a Service (SECaaS) provide continuous system monitoring for security incidents and events. However, SECaaS providers incident investigation, rapid incident response, and remediation functionalities in addition to the monitoring services.