
Let’s face it, cyber security is a menace that involves a lot of patience, pertinence, and risk factors. That’s a scenario in an everyday world where more than a million sites are hacked and erased from the root by cyber criminals and malware alike. When it comes to cyber-attacks, no firm or organisation is foolproof or solid enough to cover every risk on its own. Placing an effective and organic security and risk management system is the first proactive step that every organisation should take before indulging in too much data-centric business. However, the companies face the following challenges – a) Addressing their internal systems and having no time to cater to the outside needs. Simply, not enough time on their hands to guide the whole security framework alongside. Hence outsourcing this headache to a robust cyber security consultancy is always a wise method to shoulder only those responsibilities that you can control. b) Employing in-house security can cut your costs but can also reduce the efficiency with which these security and risk management systems work. There can also be a privacy issue that can hamper your security and data theft chances subsequently can increase. This leaves you with the option of employing a cyber security consultant not known to the firm’s who’s who or simply hiring them on associate basis. Once you’re done addressing these issues, you’ll be in a much safer and gentler state of mind thinking about only things that deserve your attention. For example, how to improve the production or how to cater to customers better. When the cyber risk factor stops playing on your mind you can easily divert to more meaningful and resourceful working hours. Cutting straight to the chase, let us talk about the factors that should influence your choice of cyber security consultancy and how you should determine what works and what doesn’t. Here are some guidelines to follow when hiring a cyber security consultant or consultancy – whichever suits your business needs – depending on the size of the firm: 1. Type of Security Providers – mind you, not all cyber security consultants will give you equal space and time. Not everyone prefers to work on an individual-client basis but have simultaneous projects going side by side. You may choose to outsource only a particular section of your IT security to the consultant that you’re hiring. Some may cater to only an extent that they build and manage your firewall security systems and setup a fool-proof virtual private network (VPN). Advanced processes may require a complete batch of cyber security consultants to monitor all your security operations that range from viruses, malware and other intrusions to larger security threat analysis and management forums. The end game is to reason your requirements well and look for options that work on reducing the risk of cyber-attacks, protect your systems, networks and tech from unauthorized infringement and maintain productivity by maintaining the servers well. 2. Invest on a Consultancy that’s into Strategy – once you’ve identified your stringent requirements, you must opt for a cyber security consultancy that aligns on giving out solutions and not just reporting the problems. The right match will be a consultancy that helps at a strategic and tactical level rather than build basic systems and troubleshoots. Asset discovery, vulnerability assessments, intrusion detection patterns, threat AI and deploying the right and fair practices is also the task of an efficient cyber security consultancy. 3. Ask for Examples – every cyber security consultancy that’s leading in a city like London in the United Kingdom must provide case studies as evidence of customer success after years of building that portfolio, which they claim brought them on the top of the industry. Look for IT certifications and consulting in ISO 9001, ISO 27001, and ISO 20000 etc. Certifications can also range from a series of core areas like Cloud Security, Incident Handling, and Information Security Management. 4. Custom Solutions and Multi-Layered Approach – most security providers offer the same level of protection but how they do it and how they stay at it is the real ball game. Some are simply more comprehensive and detailed than others. You can work this well around with firms that are utilise your IT base to resource solutions for all locations, all systems and all employees. To have industry-specific security compliance and give space to a risk management expert is the key for a multi-layered approach. Some can be data-centric and some reasoned well to safeguard you from all types of threats. Ensure, if you are in the regulated industries, to have a system that meets the specific security regulations and compliance requirements to avoid serving hefty fines. Now that you know what to ask you can simply fulfil your checklists by looking for all these services at the same place in London. With A-GRC – Assured Governance, Risk, and Compliance – you’re not only fulfilling all the requirements to have an all-round security system in place but you’re actually giving yourself some peace of mind with all the burdening. Leave it to the expert cyber security consultants right here in London.