Why Should An MSSP Use A Pentesting Partner?

Introduction

A good MSSP (Managed Security Service Provider) should be able to service all their clients cyber security needs to a very high standard. With the sheer size of the cyber security field, this may not be possible with niche services such as penetration testing and targeted security assessments. Here we
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What Is An MSSP?

An MSSP, or Managed Security Services Provider, is a company or organisation that offers outsourced monitoring, management, and support for various aspects of cybersecurity. MSSPs typically provide a range of security services to help businesses and other clients protect their information systems and data from cyber threats.

The services offered by an MSSP can vary but often include:

  • Security Monitoring and Incident Response: MSSPs employ advanced monitoring tools and technologies to detect and respond to security incidents in real-time. They analyse logs, network traffic, and security events to identify potential threats and take appropriate actions to mitigate them.

  • Threat Intelligence and Vulnerability Management: MSSPs gather and analyse threat intelligence data to stay updated on the latest security threats and trends. They also perform vulnerability assessments to identify weaknesses in a client’s systems and provide guidance on how to address them.

  • Compliance and Regulatory Support: MSSPs assist clients in meeting regulatory requirements and industry-specific security standards. They help with compliance audits, documentation, and implementation of necessary security controls.

An MSSP can be simply thought of as an organisation who fully manage all areas of their clients cyber security posture. By providing these services, end clients do not need to invest in building out an internal security team, making it an attractive option for a lot of businesses.

Reasons For An MSSP To Outsource Penetration Testing

Penetration testing is a highly niche and specialised industry, of an already specialised wider field of cyber security. It is rare that end clients employ dedicated penetration testers within their organisations, but instead rely on external third party organisations to facilitate these requirements. In the case of an MSSP with multiple clients, you may think that they themselves would have a dedicated penetration testing team to service all of their client requirements, but this isn’t often the case.

There are many reasons why an MSSP would outsource the penetration testing requirements of their clients to a third party such as ourselves, these may included:

  • Access to Specialised Skills: Penetration testing requires a high level of technical expertise and specialised skills. By partnering with a dedicated pentesting firm, an MSSP can leverage the expertise of experienced professionals who specialise in security testing. These specialists bring in-depth knowledge of various vulnerabilities and attack techniques, ensuring comprehensive and thorough testing.
  • Cost Savings: Building and maintaining an in-house penetration testing team can be costly. It involves expenses related to recruitment, training, salaries, benefits, and ongoing professional development. By partnering with an external pentesting firm, an MSSP can avoid these overhead costs and pay for pentesting services on an as-needed basis, resulting in potential cost savings.
  • Increased Revenue: MSSPs can dramatically increase their revenue if they can offer specialised penetration testing services on top of their core business activities. At Ruptura, we work on a commission scheme with all of our MSSP partners, enabling the MSSP to make a percentage on all penetration testing work facilitated by the partner. With multiple end clients, these numbers can add up quickly, without the need for any technical expertise internally.
  • Scalability and Flexibility: The demand for pentesting services can vary depending on client requirements and project volumes. Partnering with a pentesting firm allows an MSSP to scale their testing capabilities up or down based on client needs. They can engage the services of the pentesting partner as required, providing flexibility and agility in delivering security assessments.
  • Independent Validation: Using a pentesting partner adds an extra layer of objectivity and independence to the assessment process. The pentesting firm acts as a third-party entity, separate from the MSSP, which enhances the credibility and integrity of the testing results, this can include meeting certain standards such as CREST, that Ruptura InfoSecurity are members of. This independent validation can instill greater trust and confidence in the MSSP’s security offerings among clients. This avoids any ‘marking your own homework’ situations.
  • Broad Knowledge and Experience: Penetration testing partners often work with a diverse range of clients and encounter various types of systems, technologies, and security challenges. This exposure allows them to develop a broad knowledge base and extensive experience in identifying vulnerabilities and recommending effective security measures. By partnering with a well-established penetration testing firm, such as Ruptura InfoSecurity, an MSSP can tap into this collective knowledge and experience.
  • Focus on Core Services: For an MSSP, the primary focus is typically on delivering managed security services to their clients rather than maintaining multiple internal specialised teams. Partnering with a penetration testing organisation enables the MSSP to concentrate on their core services and strategic objectives while relying on the pentesting partner for specialised testing expertise. This allows the MSSP to allocate their resources more efficiently and effectively.

Client Retention

In the competitive market of cyber security, client retention is key to enabling businesses to succeed and grow. If as an MSSP, clients are requesting penetration testing requirements that cannot be met, then they may look elsewhere to facilitate these. This can potentially lead to those clients moving to a separate MSSP entirely.

If an MSSP partners with an organisation such as ourselves, they will have the confidence that they will not only be able to satisfy their client’s penetration testing needs, but that they will have their expectation levels exceeded for the service. This of course then leads to better client retention rates, enabling an MSSP to grow more effectively.

How To Work With Us

We are always on the lookout for great, innovative and growing MSSP’s to partner with. These working relationships are always mutually beneficial and allow all parties to receive a successful outcome. 

We welcome all willing MSSP’s to get in touch via email to info@ruptura-infosec.com, or by using the contact form found here.

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