Essential Role of ISPs in Cybersecurity
In today’s digitally-driven world, the significance of robust cybersecurity cannot be overstated. Cyber threats are evolving at an unprecedented pace, and organizations of all sizes must remain vigilant to protect their sensitive data and maintain operational integrity. Traditionally, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have played a crucial role in the cybersecurity landscape. However, a growing consensus suggests that ISPs should focus on their core competency—providing reliable connectivity—and leave cybersecurity to Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs). Cyber incidents can disrupt corporate operations, tarnish brand reputation, erode trust, and weaken financial stability. These incidents can cripple revenue-generating and service-delivery processes, potentially leading to legal and regulatory penalties that negatively affect a company’s financial performance and valuations.
The Core Competency of ISPs: Connectivity
ISPs are the backbone of the internet, ensuring that homes and businesses have access to high-speed, reliable internet connections. Their expertise lies in building and maintaining the infrastructure that supports the internet, from laying fiber-optic cables to managing complex networks that span continents. By focusing on connectivity, ISPs can continue to innovate and improve the speed and reliability of internet services, which are essential for both individuals and businesses in the digital age.
The Complex Landscape of Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is a multifaceted and highly specialized field that requires constant vigilance, advanced technology, and expert knowledge. The threats range from simple phishing attacks to sophisticated ransomware and state-sponsored cyber espionage. Keeping up with these evolving threats requires a dedicated focus that goes beyond the traditional scope of an ISP’s operations. This is where MSPs and MSSPs come into play.
The Role of MSPs and MSSPs
MSPs and MSSPs specialize in providing comprehensive cybersecurity and IT solutions. They employ teams of experts who are trained to detect, analyze, and respond to cyber threats in real-time. These providers use cutting-edge technology and advanced analytics to monitor network traffic, identify vulnerabilities, and implement robust security measures. By outsourcing cybersecurity to these specialists, organizations can benefit from the latest advancements in threat detection and response without the need to invest heavily on in-house resources.
Why ISPs Should Focus on Connectivity
1. Specialization and Expertise: Cybersecurity requires a level of specialization that is typically outside the core competency of ISPs. MSPs and MSSPs are dedicated to this field and have the expertise and resources needed to stay ahead of cyber threats.
2. Resource Allocation: By focusing on connectivity, ISPs can allocate their resources more effectively. This allows them to invest in infrastructure improvements, expand coverage areas, and enhance the quality of their service offerings.
3. Partnership Opportunities: ISPs can form strategic partnerships with MSPs and MSSPs, providing their customers with access to top-tier cybersecurity services. This not only enhances the value proposition of the ISP, but also ensures that customers receive the best possible protection against cyber threats. ISP’s have lost customers because they have recommended the wrong solutions. To prevent loss of revenue and mitigate risk, ISPs should partner with MSPs and MSSPs to directly deliver IT and Cybersecurity solutions to its client base who are more specialized on those matters.
4. Improved Service Quality: When ISPs focus on their core competency, the quality of their services improves. Reliable and high-speed internet is the foundation upon which all other digital services are built. By excelling in this area, ISPs can support the broader digital ecosystem.
5. Network Routers and Networking Equipment: ISPs must prioritize the quality of their network routers and other networking equipment to ensure robust security and optimal network performance. High-quality equipment reduces the risk of hidden backdoors that could be exploited by malicious actors, thereby protecting the network from potential cyber threats. Furthermore, reliable and well-maintained hardware ensures the network runs efficiently, minimizing downtime and maximizing service availability for customers. Back in December 2023 a court-authorized operation disrupted a botnet of hundreds of U.S.-based small office/home office (SOHO) routers hijacked by People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-sponsored hackers. IT manufacturers that produce lower-priced network products often operate with a different mindset, emphasizing rapid design, cost-effective manufacturing, and quick sales. As a result, security updates for the firmware— the code embedded in the components—or the drivers that connect these components to other devices are frequently neglected. From their standpoint, investing in updates doesn’t yield financial benefits. ISP’s need to stay away from IT manufacturers that produce lower priced network products. It presents risks not to only home users, but specially their business and government customers. Today more businesses and government entities are moving away from network providers that utilize lower priced network products because it presents risks to their operations.
6. Home Users: ISPs should continue to take an active role in enhancing the cybersecurity of their home customers by providing basic education on internet safety practices and offering reliable antivirus solutions. By educating users on common threats, safe browsing habits, and the importance of regular software updates, ISPs can help reduce the risk of cyber incidents. Additionally, bundling antivirus software with their services ensures that customers have a foundational layer of protection against malware and other cyber threats, fostering a safer online environment and enhancing customer trust and satisfaction.
7. Reporting Cyber Incidents: ISPs should help its home users report cyber crimes. By offering guidance and support in the reporting process, ISPs can play a crucial role in mitigating the impact of cyber incidents. This assistance can include providing clear instructions on how to document and report the crime, directing users to the appropriate authorities, and offering tools or services to help recover from the incident. Supporting users in reporting cyber crimes not only helps individuals address their immediate concerns, but also contributes to broader efforts to combat cyber crime and improve overall internet security.
ISP’s Protecting the Integrity of Internet Routing
Protecting the integrity of internet routing is the essential role of ISPs in cybersecurity. This is where ISP’s can become a valuable part of a collective solution in cybersecurity. Attacks against the internet routing functions are probably one of the greatest current threats to today’s internet. Routing attacks can have regional, or even global, impact. Such as also ISP’s implementing BGP route origin validation which is an effective way of improving BGP security and performance. This can prevent BGP hijacking, spoofing, and misconfiguration. It enhances network stability and integrity by preferring valid BGP announcements over unknown ones and modifying the routing attributes of unknown ones.
Back in 2017, Corey Nachreiner, Chief Security Officer, WatchGuard Technologies wrote an article in Dark Reading over this following topic. Specially addressing the matter in which ISP’s should focus on patching a very old and simple attack in which a malicious computer sends a network packet with a false source IP address. For many years there has been common Internet standards and best common practices that detail exactly how network providers (ISP’s) can prevent IP address spoofing by configuring routing devices to validate source addresses and block spoofed traffic. IP spoofing is a ISP problem that could be easily fixed if the industry required all ISPs to follow best practices. BCP 38 and BCP 84 should be mandatory. The state of IP Spoofing can be reviewed on the caida website.
The Future of ISP’s and Cybersecurity Collaboration
The future of cybersecurity lies in collaboration. ISPs, MSPs, and MSSPs each have a vital role to play in creating a secure and resilient digital environment. By focusing on their strengths and forming strategic partnerships, these entities can provide comprehensive solutions that address the full spectrum of digital needs.
In conclusion, while ISPs have traditionally played a significant role in cybersecurity, the increasing complexity and specialization required to combat modern cyber threats suggest a different approach. By focusing on providing reliable connectivity and partnering with MSPs and MSSPs for IT & cybersecurity, ISPs can enhance their service offerings and contribute to a more secure digital landscape. This collaborative approach ensures that organizations receive the best of both worlds—reliable internet and robust cybersecurity protection.
