MSP vs. MSSP: Which One Does Your Business Need and Why?

Key Takeaways

• MSPs and MSSPs serve different purposes: Although both provide managed services, MSPs concentrate on IT operations and maintenance, whereas MSSPs deliver specialized cybersecurity and compliance services.
• The right choice depends on your business needs: An MSP is often ideal for organizations that require broad IT support, whereas an MSSP is better suited for businesses with significant cybersecurity and regulatory compliance requirements. 
• Many businesses benefit from a hybrid approach: Combining MSP and MSSP services can provide both efficient IT operations and strong cybersecurity protection, helping organizations balance performance, security, scalability, and cost.

Managing the increasingly complex IT infrastructures required for daily operations can be overwhelming. Many companies seek external assistance from third-party vendors known as MSPs and MSSPs. But what is the difference between MSP and MSSP, and which one does your business need? In this article, we’ll explore the distinctions between MSPs and MSSPs, their roles and why choosing the right one is crucial for the security and success of your business operations.

Understanding MSP Offerings

A managed service provider, or MSP, is a company or service responsible for managing and maintaining a wide range of IT services for their clients. These services can include network infrastructure, servers, storage, desktops, software applications and more. The architectures can incorporate cloud, on-premises or a combination of the two (hybrid).

While MSPs focus on overall IT operations, MSSPs often utilize specialized MSSP software for threat detection, security monitoring, incident response, and compliance management.

No matter the business size or the architecture they employ, the primary goal of an MSP is to ensure that their client’s IT environment operates smoothly, reliably and efficiently.

For example, a growing retail company with multiple locations can partner with an MSP to monitor its network, manage cloud applications, maintain point-of-sale systems, provide employee IT support, and perform regular data backups. This helps the business focus on its core operations while leaving day-to-day IT responsibilities to the MSP.

Some of the essential IT services offered by MSPs include:

• Remote monitoring and management (RMM): MSPs use specialized tools to monitor the health and performance of IT systems, detecting and resolving issues proactively to increase uptime across a network.
• Backup and disaster recovery: An MSP can implement data backup solutions and disaster recovery plans to protect against data loss and minimize downtime.
• 24/7 helpdesk support: MSPs provide technical support and troubleshooting assistance to end-users whenever needed. This service can apply to internal employee end-users or external customers.
• Hardware and software procurement or onboarding: Some MSPs help with procuring and deploying IT hardware and software, for better cost-efficiency. Others are hired to redeploy internal IT to handle other projects. The service could also include employee onboarding and training with the new equipment.
• Infrastructure management: MSPs manage network infrastructure, servers and other critical components. They can also assess an existing network’s legacy platforms and erase technical debt by building a more modern integrated architecture.

Some MSPs go farther by offering strategic services or staff augmentation for large IT rollouts. Others have unified communications services to help manage telecom or VoIP services. This service is gaining popularity as organizations continue to grow their dispersed and work-from-home workforces.

In 2020 and 2021, during the height of COVID, companies sought the services of MSPs to handle the growing population of at-home workers. Help desk support for these dispersed teams became increasingly critical. The demand for management of cloud-based services, from business applications to data storage, also grew. It’s no wonder the projected growth of the MSP industry is more than $349 billion.

What Is an MSSP?

While the acronyms may be confusing, understanding what MSSP is requires a breakdown of what the letters stand for. A managed security services provider (MSSP) specializes in delivering comprehensive cybersecurity services to safeguard an organization’s digital assets. While MSPs focus on overall IT management, MSSPs have a more narrow but critical focus: protecting against cyber threats, vulnerabilities and breaches. Their primary objective is ensuring a business’s IT environment is secure and compliant with industry regulations.

Modern MSSPs increasingly leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to enhance threat detection, automate routine security tasks, and identify suspicious activity more quickly. By combining AI-powered analytics with human expertise, MSSPs can improve response times and help organizations stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. 

An MSSP business serves as a dedicated cybersecurity partner, helping organizations strengthen their security posture without the need to maintain a large in-house security team. 

The need for this service should be apparent:

• Globally, there is a shortage of 4 million cybersecurity experts.
• 71% of organizations say they’re impacted by the talent shortage.
• 66% of existing cybersecurity talent has said the job has grown more challenging — in part, due to the heavy workload and increasing pressures.
• In the meantime, cyberattacks are increasing in severity and frequency.
• Simultaneously, security vulnerabilities increased by 589% this year even as the volume of assets organizations manage on average increased by 133%.

At the end of 2022, more than 70% of companies leveraged the services of an MSSP. By 2028, the MSSP market will grow to more than $50 billion.

Some of the critical services offered by MSSPs include:

• Threat detection and response
• Security response/mitigation
• Ongoing vulnerability management
• Security compliance and auditing

Threat Detection and Response

Threat detection and response is a critical deliverable of an MSSP that identifies and mitigates security threats in real time. It involves continuously monitoring an organization’s digital environment to uncover abnormal or malicious activities that may indicate a potential security breach.

A company may experience an attempted ransomware attack when an employee unknowingly clicks a malicious email link. The MSSP’s monitoring tools detect unusual file encryption activity within minutes, alert security analysts, and initiate a response to isolate the affected device before the threat can spread across the network. 

Detection mechanisms employ a variety of tools and technologies to analyze network traffic, system logs and user behavior, including:

• Intrusion detection systems
• Security information and event management (SIEM) solutions
• Advanced threat intelligence

When a potential threat is detected, security professionals swiftly investigate the incident to determine its severity and impact.

Security Response and Mitigation

The cybersecurity response phase involves taking appropriate actions to contain, neutralize and recover from the threat. The goal of threat detection and response is to minimize the damage caused by security incidents, protect sensitive data and maintain the overall security posture of an organization. This service can include:

• Isolating affected systems
• Applying security patches
• Revoking compromised credentials
• Restoring affected services.

Vulnerability Management

This MSSP service is an ongoing effort to assess an organization’s infrastructure for vulnerabilities and provide guidance on remediation. For example, MSSPs implement and manage firewalls and intrusion prevention systems to prevent unauthorized access. They use SIEM solutions to centralize and analyze security logs and events for proactive threat mitigation.
MSSPs also help businesses meet regulatory compliance requirements by conducting audits and implementing security best practices.

Security Compliance and Auditing

Security compliance and auditing are fundamental cybersecurity and data protection processes. These practices ensure that an organization’s information security policies and procedures align with industry regulations, legal requirements and internal standards. Given that these standards are different at the federal, state and local levels — and constantly changing — it’s a big job.

Security compliance involves establishing, auditing and enforcing security policies, procedures and controls designed to safeguard sensitive data and IT assets. This service includes measures protecting against unauthorized access, data breaches and other security threats. Compliance efforts often differ across industries and regions, with standards like HIPAA, PCI-DSS and GDPR dictating specific requirements.

These industry standards provide organizations with a framework for protecting sensitive information and managing cybersecurity risks. For instance: 

• HIPAA governs the protection of healthcare data. 
• PCI-DSS establishes security requirements for organizations that process payment card information.
• GDPR governs the management and protection of personal information throughout its lifecycle within the European Union. 

On the other hand, auditing is the systematic review and assessment of an organization’s security policies and practices to confirm compliance. This process involves regularly examining security controls, risk assessments and security incident response procedures. Auditors assess whether the organization is adhering to established security standards and identify areas of improvement or non-compliance.

Effective security compliance and auditing helps protect sensitive data and demonstrates an organization’s commitment to security to stakeholders, regulators and customers, ultimately enhancing trust and reducing the risk of legal repercussions and financial losses.

Given the complexities of a cybersecurity offering, it may be helpful to understand why companies choose MSSP to augment their IT teams.

Security guru Kaspersky recently conducted a study on why organizations select MSSP organizations as IT partners. The survey found companies of all sizes hired MSSPs for the following reasons:

• 65% of companies cited the efficiency in delivering cybersecurity solutions.
• 51% said the MSSP offered security expertise they didn’t have in-house.
• 50% said they were understaffed in this area and needed to outsource.
• 46% reported the growing complexities of their IT infrastructure drove the decision to outsource.
• 43% liked the MSSP’s ability to scale their services.
• 45% choose an MSSP to help with growing compliance requirements.
• 38% chose an MSSP for their financial effectiveness in managing their IT infrastructure.

MSP vs. MSSP: What Do You Need?

Understanding MSSP vs. MSP difference from a service perspective is the first step. Understanding MSP MSSP definition requirements can help organizations determine whether they need comprehensive IT management, specialized cybersecurity services, or a combination of both. In the cybersecurity MSSP vs MSP discussion, the key difference lies in their focus: MSPs manage IT operations, while MSSPs provide specialized cybersecurity services.

The next step is to assess your organizational requirements to determine if you need cybersecurity or other type of IT managed services. Here are some suggested areas to evaluate:

1. IT Infrastructure Complexity

Consider the size and complexity of your IT infrastructure. An MSP may be the right choice if your organization relies heavily on a wide range of IT systems, applications and hardware components. MSPs can handle the day-to-day management and maintenance of your entire IT ecosystem, ensuring that everything runs smoothly.

On the other hand, if your primary concern is cybersecurity and you need specialized expertise to protect your sensitive data, an MSSP is the better option. MSSPs are equipped to deal with the intricacies of cybersecurity threats and can provide tailored solutions to address your security needs.

2. Security Priorities

Evaluate your organization’s security priorities. Security should be a top concern if you operate in an industry with stringent regulatory requirements, such as healthcare or finance, or if your business handles sensitive customer data. In such cases, partnering with an MSSP is essential to maintain compliance and protect against data breaches.

What if your industry has relatively fewer security concerns, and you primarily need support for day-to-day IT? In that case, an MSP can fulfill those needs while addressing basic security measures. Many MSPs offer security as part of their service, but it may not be as specialized or comprehensive as an MSSP can provide.

3. Budget Considerations

Budget constraints often play a significant role in decision-making. MSPs typically offer a broader range of services, making them a cost-effective choice for businesses looking to manage IT infrastructure comprehensively. They can help control IT costs by providing predictable monthly fees and reducing the need for in-house IT staff.

MSSPs, on the other hand, focus primarily on cybersecurity, which can be more expensive due to the specialized tools and expertise required. When evaluating MSP vs MSSP protection, businesses should consider the level of security they need, as MSSPs provide dedicated threat monitoring, incident response, and compliance support that go beyond the standard security measures typically offered by MSPs.  However, the cost of a cybersecurity breach far outweighs the investment in robust security services, making MSSPs a crucial investment for businesses that prioritize data protection.

4. MSP vs. MSSP Pricing

Pricing is influenced by factors including organizational size, device count, required services, and the overall complexity of the IT environment. MSPs typically offer per-user, per-device, or fixed-fee pricing models and are generally less expensive than MSSPs because their focus is on broad IT management rather than specialized cybersecurity services. 

MSSP services often cost more due to the specialized cybersecurity expertise, advanced monitoring tools, 24/7 threat detection capabilities, and compliance support they provide. While MSSP services may require a larger investment, they can help organizations avoid the substantial costs and reputational harm that often follow a data breach.

For instance, a 100-person organization may depend on an MSP for IT management and user support, whereas an MSSP focuses on protecting the business through continuous security monitoring, threat hunting, and regulatory compliance services. The exact cost depends on the scope of services required, but businesses should evaluate pricing in the context of the value, expertise, and risk reduction each provider delivers.

5. In-House Expertise

Consider the level of in-house IT expertise your organization possesses. If you have a skilled IT team capable of managing most aspects of your IT infrastructure but lack specialized cybersecurity knowledge, partnering with an MSSP to address security gaps may be the ideal choice. This strategic decision allows your internal team to focus on other IT responsibilities while relying on experts for cybersecurity.

Alternatively, if your business lacks an extensive IT department and needs comprehensive IT management, an MSP can serve as an extension of your team, providing the necessary expertise and support.

6. Scalability and Growth

Think about your business’s growth trajectory. If you anticipate significant growth soon, choosing a managed cybersecurity service provider that can scale with your needs is essential. MSPs are well-suited for scalability, as they can adapt to changing IT requirements and infrastructure expansions.

MSSPs can also accommodate growth by providing scalable security solutions. As your business expands, the complexity and volume of cyber threats may increase, making the expertise of an MSSP even more critical.

7. Compliance Requirements

Specific industries, such as healthcare (HIPAA) and finance (PCI-DSS), have strict regulatory compliance requirements. If your business operates within a highly regulated sector, you must meet these compliance standards to avoid penalties and reputational damage.

MSSPs are well-versed in industry-specific compliance and can help you navigate the complexities of regulatory requirements. They can perform audits, implement security controls and provide documentation necessary for compliance.

Do You Need an MSP, MSSP, or Both?

For many organizations, the MSP/MSSP decision is not an either-or proposition. Many organizations find that a hybrid approach, combining the services of both types of providers, offers a well-rounded solution that addresses their diverse IT and security needs. Some of the benefits and considerations of the hybrid approach include:

• A hybrid approach allows businesses to leverage the strengths of both MSPs and MSSPs. MSPs can handle the day-to-day management of IT infrastructure, ensuring reliability and efficiency, while MSSPs specialize in cybersecurity, protecting against evolving threats.
• It can be cost-effective to allocate resources strategically. MSPs often offer cost-efficient IT management, while MSSPs may require a more substantial investment in cybersecurity. A hybrid approach lets businesses balance their budgets and allocate funds where needed.
• The hybrid model accommodates business growth seamlessly. As your organization expands, you can scale up your IT management and cybersecurity measures to meet evolving needs.
• MSPs bring expertise in general IT management, while MSSPs specialize in security. This expertise means you’re benefiting from specialized knowledge in each area, ensuring the best solutions for your unique challenges.
• The flexible hybrid approach allows you to tailor services to your precise requirements. You can adjust the balance between MSP and MSSP services based on changing priorities and threats.
• Collaboration between MSP and MSSP providers can be more straightforward because they focus on their core competencies, leading to more efficient and effective communication and issue resolution.

However, it’s essential to manage the hybrid approach thoughtfully. For example:

• Clear lines of communication and well-defined roles and responsibilities are critical.
• Make sure that the solutions provided by both providers are integrated effectively into your IT environment.
• Continuously monitor and assess the performance of both your MSP and MSSP to ensure they meet your evolving needs and maintain service quality.
• Finally, regularly review your budget and the value each provider delivers to your organization.

Red River offers our clients options. Our managed services help organizations better manage the complexities of their IT infrastructures while our cybersecurity teams handle compliance and keep data safer. If you’re considering a third-party partner, call us to discuss your options.