5 Major Benefits of Having a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) For Unix and Linux

mssp for unix and linux

The annual security breaches for Unix and Linux infrastructure is at an all-time high, with almost 1.7 million Linux malware floating across the internet for 2022 alone. That’s a 650% increment from 2021. 

That’s why most tech companies working on UNIX and Linux are looking for healthy Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) solutions. However, many still stay numb to the changes. 

The benefits of having managed security services for your Unix and Linux infrastructure are so much more than data. Of course, you need a network of security experts to prevent data breaching, but you also need them for their:

  • Immediate response & solutions
  • SIEM & Log Management Insights
  • Expertise in the field
  • Vulnerability Management tactics

And it’s the best if it comes at cost-effective pricing. We’re going to discuss all these points in detail and tell you how having a MSSP for your UNIX and Linux is the best solution for the overall growth of the business. But before that, let’s understand what MSSP for Unix and Linux is.

What is a Managed Security Service Provider for Unix and Linux?

A Managed Security Service Provider or MSSP is an IT service provided by network security agencies that offer security and monitoring services for your Unix and Linux infrastructure. The real goal of having an MSSP for Unix and Linux is to reduce the overall burden on the internal IT team so they focus on business growth.

Benefits of Having an MSSP for Unix and Linux

For organizations that employ Unix and Linux systems, an MSSP (Managed Security Service Provider) can provide various benefits. Some of them are: 

Rapid Incident Response

Quickly responding to cybersecurity issues is critical for minimizing the damage and resource consumption of Unix and Linux users. The longer a cyberattacker has access to a network, the more opportunity they have to steal vital information, incorporate persistence mechanisms, or launch an. This malware or ransomware attack can cause irreversible harm. Hence, releasing a rapid response is adamant.

However, rapid incident response efforts frequently require professionals with specialized skill sets. For example: 

  • An incident response team may need a digital forensics specialist to establish the depth of an attack on UNIX/LINUX systems. 
  • Similarly, the teams may require a malware analyst to realize the gravity of the damage caused due to the respective malware attack.

Hence, hiring a team of qualified professionals full-time to ensure they are promptly available when needed can be challenging and costly. That’s why partnering with MSSP for your Unix and Linux interface can ensure an optimally secured interface.

SIEM & Log Management Insights

SIEM and Log management provide insight into system activities, including potential security threats. Unix and Linux users can benefit from enhanced SIEM and log management features, such as real-time monitoring, log correlation, and analysis, by partnering with an MSSP. 

This can benefit Unix and Linux users in the following ways:

  • It can aid in the rapid identification and response to security problems, lowering the risk of data breaches and minimizing the effect of assaults. 
  • MSSPs can also create customized reports and dashboards to help organizations acquire a better knowledge of system activities and improve their overall security posture. 

Access to Expertise

There is a significant scarcity of experienced professionals in the cybersecurity area. As a result, companies using Unix and Linux infrastructures often face difficulty in attracting and keeping cybersecurity talent, especially when looking for personnel with specialized skill sets. 

A lack of these specialized skill sets may result in additional security vulnerabilities. Therefore, a managed security services provider(MSSP) can facilitate you with the respective skills and expertise required to protect your Unix and Linux infrastructure.

Vulnerability Management

Regular vulnerability scans are vital for every Unix and Linux system. A vulnerability scan assists in identifying security flaws in the systems and software programs that run on them. These external and internal scans of your IT infrastructure are performed best by a managed security service provider(MSSP). 

During this automated scan, the MSSP checks the following:

  • Databases
  • Online applications
  • Hosts for potential vulnerabilities

After completing this automated scan, MSSP provides comprehensive data as per the risks and potential flaws or loopholes detected in the system. Moreover, an MSSP would almost certainly double-check the results of your vulnerability scan before delivering them to you to verify that there are no false positives.

Cost-Effective

Working with an MSSP for Unix and Linux security is cost-effective. Putting together an in-house security team to manage and monitor Unix and Linux systems can be challenging because: 

  • it can be costly and time-consuming
  • it will require significant investments in hiring and training security specialists 
  • you will have to procure and maintain security tools and technologies
  • you will also have to manage security operations. 

Thus, companies can save costs while maintaining high security by outsourcing these functions to an MSSP. MSSPs can provide flexible pricing structures, allowing businesses to pay for only the services they require while avoiding the costs of operating security infrastructure in-house. 

The Bottom Line

There are plenty of benefits to drool over for MSSP for your UNIX and Linux system. But one that tops the list is: you get additional time to grow your business. You get to focus on your core skills and leave security expertise to a cost-effective solution.