FAQs on the subject of Managed Security Services (MSS)

Operating a corporate network ties up internal resources, distracting them from the core business. Outsourcing to professionals takes the pressure off your IT organisation. You also have access to qualified IT security specialists with up-to-date knowledge, and can benefit from economies of scale because we provide our service to a wide customer base. Our Managed Security Service solution is based on standardised modules, with the resulting cost savings being passed on to you.

This move may be prompted by a strategic decision – concentrating on the core business and outsourcing commodity areas are key success factors in many companies. Other reasons for outsourcing include the selective optimisation of costs, service and quality, with the ubiquitous shortage of qualified staff also frequently playing an important role.

All companies are experiencing constant change. We believe it is important for corporate networks to be flexible and able to adapt to changing business requirements at any time. Other challenges involve managing complexity and ensuring around-the-clock security. Outsourcing to United Security Providers means these challenges are delegated to specialists.

Yes, we are seeing a significant trend towards homeworking and mobile offices. The United Security Providers solution not only enables company locations to be networked, but also connects homeworkers and field-sales staff simply and securely.

If you have toothache, you don’t go to a general medical practitioner, but rather to a specialist dentist. Within the broad field of information security, United Security Providers has consistently specialised in network and application security. So we are qualified to be your solution partner if that’s where you’ve got “toothache”. As a specialist, our solutions include several unique features, such as a single point of contact that also covers managing and coordinating the international carrier.

The initial costs generally include designing the network and security infrastructure, and also installing the remote gateways. Depending on the size and requirements, the initial costs will be somewhere between CHF 2,000 and CHF 10,000. Recurring costs include the rental for the gateway and Internet connections, plus the operational service, which very much depend on the SLA you choose.

One example is the Lindt & Sprüngli global network, which we have been operating since 2000, and which includes over 30 locations and 600 mobile staff. Upon request, we would be pleased to show you details of other projects involving international companies in the industrial, transportation, logistics, insurance and health sectors.

The most important component is the USP security gateway, which is responsible for firewalling and VPN functionality, amongst other things. This device is sent to the customer location pre-configured, and simply needs to be plugged in and switched on by an on-site employee. We do everything else for you.

The lead time usually depends on the carrier’s standard local delivery times. If Internet access is already available, United Security Providers can set up a network within four weeks.

In principle, our solutions can be used anywhere in the world where it is possible to access the Internet via cable, directional antennae or radio. In a few countries, there are legal guidelines that prevent us from entering into contracts directly with carriers. In such cases, Internet access must be procured by the customer’s local representative.

The United Security Providers online portal displays the up-to-date status of security components and network capacity usage. It acts as your management cockpit and helps you to supervise and control how you work together with United Security Providers.

If so, please e-mail us at solutionsales(at)united-security-providers.ch or call us on +41 31 959 02 02.