In the corporate environment, cyber-threats are becoming more and more sophisticated, security standards more complex, and budgets tighter and tighter.

The world of technology in the workplace is no longer just restricted to servers, workstations, or email accounts, but rather we need to consider mobile devices and the culture of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device).We also need to be aware of problems that may arise from new trends such as social media and the impact that all of this can have on the security of our corporate networks.

This all places a great stress on businesses when it comes to the monitoring and management of information security.

What are managed security services?

There are currently a new series of products emerging on the market that are placed under the name Managed Security Services. This includes typical services such as antiviruses, firewalls, intrusion detection, updates, content filters, and security audits, while also embracing the new needs that businesses have, based on these services being managed by a third-party who assumes responsibility for the function and monitoring of them at all times.

A study carried out last year in the USA, UK, Canada, and Germany showed that 74% of organizations were still managing their own security systems, but that 82% of IT professionals were working, or had thought about working, for a company that provided security management services.

Advantages of managed security systems

• Providers of these systems help to mitigate the risks that come with the managing of security in a business and by opting for their services you can avail of lots of advantages. The first, and most obvious, is the relative cost – contracting a managed security service usually costs less than investing in personnel, software, and hardware.
• The second advantage is related to the capturing of talented staff. Currently there is a shortage of personnel that are specialized in cybersecurity and this puts a stress on IT departments to keep a quota of trained and competent staff members. Being equipped with a dedicated team to take on these tasks can be a strain for some businesses, but is rather feasible for managed security providers. By externalizing these tasks, a company con focus its attention on more critical aspects of the business.
• These services also allow for a round-the-clock monitoring, which is something that most businesses can’t provide, being restricted to the typical working hours that are in place.
• We can also observe advantages in terms of the efficiency in which the security providers work – it’s hard for an organization to follow up on all new threats and potential vulnerabilities as they arise, just as it is to up to date with norms and security tools. All of this is while security providers are in contact with international experts which strengthens their know-how and their ability to react. What’s more, because many of them have had the chance to work side-by-side with law enforcement agencies means that they have an advantage when it comes to completing forensic analysis in court cases.

Adaptive Defense as a managed security service

With all that has been mentioned in mind, Panda Security has decided to offer its very own self-managed security solution, Adaptive Defense. Thanks to the latest cloud computing technologies (based on Machine Learning techniques and Big Data) developed by Panda, Adaptive Defense is capable of automatically classifying all running applications on the system without the need for any user intervention.

Adaptive Defense is also a solution that has zero impact on the customer’s infrastructure. This is due to it being a service that is operated from a centralized web console that allows for the securing of Windows workstations, servers, cell phones, and remote offices.

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