Cybersecurity vs Incident Response, a view of the Market Landscape in 2023 (Overview and Examples)

"Cybersecurity" and "Incident Response" are sometimes used interchangeably. In reality, each term reflects a wide variety of subject areas in overall security and cyber management. The main market sectors for services and solutions in Cybersecurity and Incident Response help define the difference between the two.

What Are Cybersecurity Services?

"Cybersecurity services" is a broad term that refers to any service that applies to processes, technologies, and controls to protect businesses or individuals from cyberattacks. This includes safeguarding networks, systems, applications and devices from online threats such as hacking, phishing and malware.

Cybersecurity services can involve everything from installing firewalls and virus protection software to training employees in best practices for online safety. Some cybersecurity service providers also offer around-the-clock monitoring and support in case of an attack. By teaming up with a reputable provider, businesses can rest assured that their data and information are as well protected as possible against the ever-evolving threats of the digital age.

Cybersecurity Service Examples

Cybersecurity services can be delivered in different ways, depending on the needs of the organization. If requirements cannot be met by in-house staff, it makes sense to outsource tasks to a third-party provider. Two common types of cybersecurity outsourcing include managed services and professional services.

Managed cybersecurity services are typically in the form of ongoing retainers or packages. These may be standard or adapted to the organization's needs and are typically billed on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. Examples of managed services include disaster recovery, encryption, firewall, identity and access management (IAM), and unified threat management (UTM).

Professional cybersecurity services are more useful when businesses face specific challenges or need help with a dedicated project. For example, the organization may need to fill a temporary IT role or require assistance with a cloud migration or extensive data backup project. Examples of professional services include integration, cyber law and privacy program development, reporting maintenance, penetration testing, table top exercises, bug bounty, incident response management, training, consulting and advisory.

What Are Cybersecurity Solutions?

Cybersecurity solutions are any products and technologies used to protect electronic systems, networks and data from unauthorized access or damage.

Components involved in cybersecurity solutions focus on protecting or monitoring hardware, software, data, applications, networks, endpoints, devices (the Internet of Things, or IoT) and the cloud. There are many different types of cybersecurity solutions, including Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Managed Detection and Response (MDR), Extended Detection and Response (XDR) unified threat management (UTM), identity and access management (IAM), intrusion detection or prevention systems (IDS/IPS), data loss prevention (DLP), security, incident, and event management (SIEM), distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) prevention, and risk and compliance management.

Cybersecurity solutions will continue to evolve as the threats themselves become more sophisticated. By staying informed and investing in the latest tools and technologies, businesses can protect themselves against even the most sophisticated attacks.

What Are Incident Response Management Services?

Incident response management services are designed to help organizations deal with the aftermath of a security incident. It refers to the overall systematic strategy used to tackle cybersecurity incidents with four main components: technical, legal, business risk management and legal/compliance.

Incident response management services can provide expert guidance on containing a breach, mitigating its effects and regaining control of systems and data. They can also help organizations develop and implement effective incident response plans.

These services can often help avoid financial losses and minimize or tackle legal liability. For example, third-party providers can advise on minimizing the damage from data breaches and safeguarding customer information. They can also provide guidance on complying with applicable laws and regulations, including requirements to report data breaches to consumers or state Attorneys General according to each state’s specific law.

Incident response management services can be an invaluable resource for organizations that have experienced a security incident. There are various approaches to incident response, including:

• Assessment and Response:  When a data breach or other cyber incident occurs, time is of the essence. Responders must execute effectively to minimize damage. Assessment and response services include breach investigation, forensic services (including chain-of-custody), and examination and analysis of applications. These help to assess the situation and determine the best course of action. By working with a qualified incident response team, you can minimize damage and downtime and get your organization back up and running as quickly as possible.
• Planning and Development: Planning and preparedness are vital components of incident response. Organizations can ensure they are ready to deal with any security incident by developing and rehearsing an incident response plan. This can help reduce the impact of an incident, minimize business disruption and speed up recovery time. When creating an incident response plan, it's essential to consider all potential types of incidents and tailor the plan to the needs of the organization. The plan should be regularly reviewed and updated, and all staff should be trained on how to implement it.
• Tabletop Exercises: Tabletop exercises are a valuable tool for incident response teams. By simulating a real-world incident, tabletop exercises allow teams to test their plans and procedures under pressure. Furthermore, these exercises can help teams identify weaknesses in their response plans and make necessary adjustments. While tabletop exercises will never perfectly replicate a real-world incident, they can still provide critical insights.
• Advanced Threat Hunting: Advanced threat hunting involves proactively and intelligently searching for threats evading traditional security defenses. It is a data-driven, investigative methodology used to detect, investigate and respond to sophisticated attacks that have already infiltrated an organization. Advanced threat hunting relies on a combination of human expertise and cutting-edge technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), to analyze massive amounts of data and identify patterns of malicious activity. By applying these techniques, security teams can stay one step ahead of the attackers and thwart even the most well-hidden attacks.

How do you create an incident response plan? Use this template to learn more now.

ZeroDay Law can help with all aspects of cybersecurity and incident response services and offers additional expertise in law and privacy law. Services include incident response planning, tabletop exercises, risk assessment and compliance programs, and privacy and cybersecurity law professional development and consulting.

Which cybersecurity services and incident response services are the right fit for your organization? Get in touch today to find out!