Why Cloud Security Services Matter

As cloud services emerge as a real alternative to traditional, behind-the-firewall software and systems, one of the biggest concerns for enterprises is the security challenge that such cloud offerings present. Could security concerns stall some enterprises from deploying cloud services? By most accounts, the answer is yes. Gartner, for instance, details seven main security concerns for the cloud, which include data integrity, recover, privacy and more. Those are grave concerns for any enterprise.

But the cloud also offers a significant opportunity for service providers to deliver security applications as-a-service to their customers. The opportunities range from SMB-focused security services, which would include basic anti-virus, -spyware and other straightforward security services, to more sophisticated and dynamic security-as-a-service offerings for larger enterprises. In both instances, the cloud benefits of utility-style pricing, always-up-to-date-software (particularly important as security threats evolve) and the ability to outsource a complicated IT task to an expert partner means that managed security services should hold a great appeal to many businesses.

We’ve been tracking the cloud security opportunity at Connected Planet for a while now; last summer we detailed the three main trends driving the deployment of managed security services, which hold even more true today:

Mission-critical requirement. There’s nothing “optional” about security, which helps carriers offering these new services get in the door and start the managed security services discussion with existing network customers.

Security is complex and ever-changing. It’s difficult for resource-strapped IT shops – not to mention small businesses – to keep up with ever-changing security threats. The virus signature subscription services of off-the-shelf anti-virus software may have been the first managed security service; today’s truly network-based security services are an evolution down that same path.

Real security is multi-layered. Hackers won’t try just one way onto a customer network, so cloud-based security offerings that start with simple firewall or anti-virus products and can then scale into more sophisticated offerings are a perfect upsell path for service provider cloud security suites.

Check back in the coming weeks as we explore the opportunity cloud security services opportunity for ISPs and MSPs.