Cyber threats can originate from anywhere around the globe, so it only makes sense that services such as managed detection and response (MDR) to defend against these threats effectively require a managed security service provider (MSSP) with a global footprint.

The top 10 countries from which distributed denial-of-service attacks (DDoS) originate include China, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Russia, and Germany, according to data collected by the cloud services company Cloudflare. At the same time, the U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) maintains overviews of groups and nation-state actors known for launching advanced persistent threats from China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.

Oh, and the US is number 2 on that list of top 10 sources of DDoS attacks, second only to China.

Global Threats Demand Global Security Operations

An MSSP must have global security operations and delivery to be truly effective. The idea is to have teams of security experts “follow the sun,” such that client organizations with a global footprint have detection and response coverage around the clock.  

That’s an important distinction from an MSSP that may have teams working three shifts but from the same or similar locations, such as the US.

Moreover, a global presence serves a global client base more effectively. This presence is key because security experts in any given region will be more in tune with the threats and trends affecting organizations within or across verticals.

As MSSPs work with a mix of clients, they may learn about new threats or discover new adversarial behavior patterns. They can then use that knowledge to enrich their proprietary threat intelligence and detection models, which effectively applies that knowledge to all its SOCs and security professionals in near real-time.

Multiple Offerings Fuel the Threat Engine

Compounding that benefit is when an MSSP offers different kinds of adjacent security services, each of which may generate intelligence on new threats.

Consider a security service provider that offers proactive threat-hunting services. Threat hunters proactively identify intruders lurking within an organization’s systems. In the course of their work, they not only identify new types of threats but also collaborate across disciplines – such as with malware reverse engineers for deep threat research and digital forensics incident response (DFIR) for breach response capabilities. Security analysts then add any threats identified to the MSSP’s global threat database.

Once there, it becomes one of the many threats the company can identify for its global clients through its other services, including MDR, penetration testing, email security, and more. Similarly, other services may help the MSSP identify new threats while working with clients.

A Global Reach and Extensive Portfolio

Trustwave understands how these various dynamics work together to protect clients. It maintains security operations and delivery around the globe.

Trustwave also puts a premium on original threat intelligence research and community collaboration. Its SpiderLabs teams include experienced pen testers, threat hunters, forensics specialists, and a global, dedicated threat research team that constantly uncovers new threats.

It’s a two-way street between the SpiderLabs teams and the various security services Trustwave offers, including MDR, MailMarshal email security, and DbProtect database security.

That’s the kind of full circle, far-reaching threat detection and response that only comes from an MSSP with a global reach, a full complement of security offerings, and the threat expertise to put it all together. Food for thought as you consider the benefits of one MSSP or MDR provider over the other and how best to protect your organization.

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