Security as a Service (SECaaS): Advantages & Services

TL;DR

Security as a Service (SECaaS) lets organizations outsource cloud-based security without investing in hardware, software, or dedicated staff. Compared to traditional managed security service providers (MSSPs), SECaaS offers a more comprehensive model that includes not just monitoring but also incident response and remediation. Providers typically offer five pricing structures and up to 12 distinct service categories — from network security to identity and access management. When evaluating vendors, organizations should weigh affordability, availability, capabilities, flexibility, reporting, and response speed.

How does SECaaS compare to managed security service providers (MSSPs)?

SECaaS has some similarities to managed security service providers (MSSPs). Both help organizations address security issues without having to hire a full security staff. But they use different approaches and SECaaS is typically more comprehensive.

What pricing models do SECaaS providers offer?

You'd like to provide your organization with robust security services, but you don't have the staff or the time to do so. You could hire an on-site consultant to develop and implement the protections you need. Or you could invest in a completely different solution.

Most SECaaS providers charge a fee for their work. But the way their pricing is structured and implemented can vary widely. 

Typically, companies that offer software as a service choose from one of the following five types of pricing models:

1. Usage based: The provider tracks how often you use the services they provide, and you're charged accordingly. 
2. Per user: The provider examines how many authorized people from your company can use their services. You pay a fee for each user (or seat). 
3. Tiered: The provider has several different service packages. The more features or capabilities included, the higher the price. 
4. Flat: Only one version of the product is available, and it's offered at the same fee to all customers.
5. Per feature: You pay for each service the company offers. The more help you need, the more you will pay. 

Some companies offer trial pricing, so you can use the service for a time and see if it works for you. Others ask you to start paying the moment the work begins.

How can a SECaaS company help?

You may have dozens (or even hundreds) of different assets to protect. Similarly, security companies have different capabilities they offer in their subscription packages. To get the most for your money, choose a company that provides what you need to keep your company safe. 

The Cloud Security Alliance recognizes 12 categories (or services) that SECaaS companies provide:

1. Network security: The company offers products that can monitor your network and protect it from attack. 
2. Vulnerability scanning: The company uses a public network to scan your systems or infrastructure. 
3. Web security: The company offers real-time protection of any asset that is public facing and provided via the web.
4. Email security: The company can protect both inbound and outgoing mail. 
5. Identity and access management: The company offers authentication, identification, and user management services. 
6. Encryption: The company protects sensitive data at rest and in transit via encryption methods. 
7. Intrusion management: The company examines your servers, and if unusual activity appears, steps are taken to block an attack. 
8. Data loss prevention: The company protects data within your company. 
9. Security information and event management: The company takes in data about incidents, and you're provided with real-time analysis.
10. Business continuity and disaster recovery: If service is interrupted, the company gets you back online as quickly as possible. 
11. Continuous monitoring: The company is always working through risk management steps to protect your organization. 
12. Security assessments: The company performs periodic audits to assess protection levels. 

Some companies offer every single item on this list, ensuring that you have full protection. But others specialize in just a few.

What are the benefits and challenges of SECaaS?

Should you invest in a partnership with a security company? Make a wise decision by understanding what people both like and dislike about the SECaaS model. 

Commonly cited benefits include:

• Cost. You won't buy hardware, pay for licenses, or hire staff. Instead, you'll pay a fee related to the work you need. 
• Ease. Most SECaaS companies offer convenient dashboards that help your team control key processes. 
• Scale. Add to or remove services quickly, and rely on your vendor to update settings based on current threats. Many companies appreciate the ability to add users to the service, especially when many employees work from home. 
• Expertise. A security skills gap can leave your company vulnerable to attack. Vendors have trained staff members who spend all day working to prevent threats. 

What are the drawbacks of SECaaS?

SECaaS does come with a few drawbacks. For example, some security professionals dislike handing over minute control to a third party. They worry about regulatory challenges, the speed of change, and segmentation. 

Others worry that cloud-based applications leave companies wide open for attack. If a hacker can pull down the SECaaS server, a company's assets are fully exposed.

What should you look for in a SECaaS provider?

Plenty of companies are ready to compete for your business. What should you look for as you shop? 

Ask each provider about the following six items:

1. Affordability: Inquire about the total cost of ownership of your security solution, and make sure it's within a range that you can afford. 
2. Availability: When is staff ready to help you when something goes wrong? Do they provide true global coverage?
3. Capabilities: What services will the vendor offer? And if some are offered through third parties, what will those organizations do?
4. Flexibility: If you need additional help down the line, can the company flex and expand?
5. Reporting: Hiring a consultant doesn't mean abdicating your responsibilities. How will the company keep you apprised through reports?
6. Speed: What uptime can your vendor guarantee? And how quickly will the team respond if disaster strikes? How quickly will they act in response to smaller problems too?

How is the SECaaS market evolving?

Outsourcing security isn't new. Companies have taken this step for years. But the SECaaS model gained popularity in 2020, when companies shifted their workforces from offices to homes. Cloud security was one of the best ways to ensure strong security and flexibility. 

How has the SECaaS market grown?

By 2025, the global SECaaS is expected to reach a value of more than $19 billion. New players will enter the field, and that should mean more choices and better values for organizations of all sizes. 

Right now, there are many companies on the market ready to help. Bloggers often create lists of their favorite companies, and scanning those articles can help you understand what your peers enjoy and dislike about their choices right now. 

At Okta, we often appear on these favorite lists. And there's a good reason for that. We offer robust services to protect your important assets. And we can integrate with your SECaaS provider too. Contact us to find out more. 

References

Defined Categories of Security as a Service (Preview). (2016). Cloud Security Alliance. 

Cloud Opportunities Drive Security-as-a-Service Adoption. (May 2020). Security Boulevard. 

Why Security-as-a-Service Is Poised to Take Off. (2017). CIO. 

Opportunities in Security as a Service. (August 2020). SDM. 

$19+ Billion Security-as-a-Service (SECaaS) Market Outlook, 2025. The Vulnerability of Cloud-Based Applications to Cyber Crimes is a Major Challenge. (March 2020). Business Wire. 

Top 5 Security-as-a-Service Providers. (December 2019). TechnologyAdvice. 

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between SECaaS and a managed security service provider (MSSP)?

While both MSSPs and SECaaS providers help organizations manage security without a full in-house team, SECaaS is generally more comprehensive. MSSPs focus on system monitoring and alerting, whereas SECaaS also covers investigation, incident response, and remediation — making it a stronger fit for organizations with compliance requirements.

How much does Security as a Service typically cost?

SECaaS pricing varies by provider and model. Common structures include usage-based, per-user, tiered, flat-rate, and per-feature pricing. Some providers offer trial periods, while others begin billing immediately. The right model depends on your organization's size, usage patterns, and the breadth of services required.

What types of security services can a SECaaS provider offer?

The Cloud Security Alliance recognizes 12 categories of SECaaS, including network security, vulnerability scanning, email security, identity and access management, encryption, intrusion management, data loss prevention, security information and event management, business continuity and disaster recovery, continuous monitoring, and security assessments. Not all providers offer every category.

What are the main risks or drawbacks of adopting SECaaS?

Some security professionals are concerned about ceding granular control to a third party, including challenges around regulatory compliance, the pace of change, and service segmentation. There is also a risk that if a SECaaS provider's cloud infrastructure is compromised, the client organization's assets could be exposed.

What questions should I ask when evaluating a SECaaS provider?

When comparing providers, ask about total cost of ownership, global availability and support hours, the full scope of services offered (including any third-party components), the ability to scale up or down, reporting and transparency practices, and guaranteed uptime and incident response times.

When did SECaaS become widely adopted, and where is the market headed?

SECaaS gained significant traction in 2020 as organizations shifted to remote work and needed flexible, cloud-based security solutions. The global SECaaS market was projected to exceed $19 billion by 2025, with continued growth expected to bring more providers and competitive pricing to organizations of all sizes.