67% of Indian Enterprises to Outsource Security to MSSPs in the Next 3 Years

A recent survey conducted by International Data Corporation (IDC) reveals that nearly 67% of Indian enterprises are planning to outsource key aspects of their security landscape to managed security service providers (MSSPs) within the next three years. However, the survey also highlights a growing trend among enterprises to consolidate their partnerships with MSSPs in the future.

As businesses embark on their digital transformation journeys and strive to establish thriving digital operations, it is imperative for Indian enterprises to consider outsourcing critical functions such as threat detection, security operations, and risk mitigation to external security service providers. This approach not only forms a crucial part of their enterprise strategy but also enhances operational efficiency and bottom-line performance. Many enterprises opt for security service providers capable of delivering global capabilities through a local delivery model, facilitating the consolidation of their vendor ecosystem by offering a wide range of services under one umbrella.

Sakshi Grover, Research Manager at IDC India and Asia/Pacific, emphasizes the significance of this trend, stating, “While investing in digital transformation initiatives and building a sustainable digital business, Indian enterprises should also explore outsourcing key functions to external security service providers. This not only improves operational efficiencies but also supports the unification of the vendor ecosystem by offering diverse services under a single platform.”

The Future of Trust India survey conducted by IDC offers valuable insights that can guide business leaders in adopting specific technologies to strengthen cybersecurity. Key findings from the survey include:

• 72.5% of enterprises currently utilize threat intelligence products or services, and 26.5% plan to implement them within the next two years.

• Nearly 92% of enterprises believe that the use of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) will grow as part of their strategy to implement a more agile and pervasive cybersecurity approach.

• Enterprises across various industries, such as BFSI, professional services, healthcare, and retail and wholesale, face challenges in deploying authentication and access controls for partners and contractors. Balancing security requirements and user experience for customers and employees concurrently is a common obstacle. Manufacturing companies encounter additional challenges due to legacy solutions and perimeter-based architecture.

• External cyber threats and cybersecurity attacks pose significant challenges for the majority of enterprises in establishing organizational trust.

• The survey sheds light on the frequency of interactions between enterprises, CEOs, and boards regarding trust-related topics.

Sharath Srinivasamurthy, Associate Vice President at IDC India, emphasizes the need for security to take center stage within organizations. He explains, “Security must now become a central and vital topic within operations, across the C-suite, and elevated at the board level. The principal challenge Indian enterprises are facing today is the difficulty to tackle increasingly sophisticated external cyber threats and cybersecurity attacks. Alongside this, complex regulatory requirements, lack of visibility into applications and data assets, and a lack of security culture and awareness among employees remain common challenges.”

The survey findings underline the growing importance of partnering with MSSPs to enhance cybersecurity capabilities and address the evolving threat landscape. By leveraging the expertise and services of MSSPs, Indian enterprises can fortify their defenses and navigate the complex cybersecurity landscape with greater confidence.