MSP vs MSSPs: Now and Then, Understanding the Difference
MSPs and MSSPs are crucial technology solution providers for organizations and businesses that require efficient, reliable, and cost-effective outsourcing solutions for their IT support. There are, however, certain distinguishing factors between the two types of providers. Knowing these differences, the organization can identify the right partner to associate with to achieve its objectives.
What is an MSP?
The critical definition could be that an MSP or managed service provider offers constant, efficient, comprehensive monitoring, management, and maintenance of an organization’s IT systems and endpoints.
Typical services offered by MSPs include:
– Help desk/service desk
– Network Monitoring and Management
– Endpoint management
– Continuity, business resumption, disaster recovery
– Cloud solutions
– Virtual CIO services
Subsequently, MSPs are concerned with guaranteeing that their client’s technology functions at peak efficiency and remains available for usage by the client. This will enable organizations to direct their internal IT staff in areas that are relevant to the mission and vision of the firm, as well as outsource all non-strategic IT operations.
There are multiple advantages to outsourcing to an MSP, such as lower IT costs, fewer interruptions to the systems, expertise that can be difficult to hire internally, and fixed monthly expenses. It also offers flexibility to make improvements depending on an organization’s needs and adjust its provided services.
What is an MSSP?
An MSSP, or managed security service provider, is one that provides security services for monitoring, managing security devices, and threat identification and mitigation services.
Typical MSSP offerings include:
– Security Information; Event Management (SIEM)
– The closing of known endpoints and the subsequent application of an attack that will detect the response
– Vulnerability scanning
– Log monitoring
– Incident response
– Security awareness training
MSSPs are designed to address information security, threat intelligence, and compliance requirements in particular. They are very knowledgeable about their specialty, have sophisticated equipment, and constantly monitor the threat level so they can quickly identify and contain the attack or other security breaches. This also allows organizations access to enterprise-grade security capabilities that can sometimes be challenging for internal teams to deploy and manage for cost efficiencies.
Key Differences
While MSPs and MSSPs both provide ongoing monitoring, management, and support, there are some essential ways these two types of providers differ:
Scope of services: MSPs manage the availability and performance of many IT infrastructures and applications. MSSPs are focused on security as well as various compliance matters.
Expertise: MSPs have a general knowledge of the IT field, which encompasses network security, end-of-nodes, cloud solutions, etc. MSSPs are equipped with security expertise in sub-specialties such as threat intelligence, digital forensics, compliance auditing, and penetration testing.
Monitoring focus: MSPs track system and network performance, IT health, and availability as important aspects of their service portfolios. MSSPs operate to proactively detect security threats, unusual activities, and compliance issues on endpoints, networks, and in the cloud.
Service delivery model: The majority of the MSPs still implement a blend of remote tools and sometimes a little onsite work. MSSPs rely on sophisticated managed security services such as SIEM for real-time remote security monitoring and consolidated device management.
Reporting: MSP reporting reflects IT service availability, system status, backups, patches, etc, while MSSP reporting provides security events, threats identified, vulnerability scan reports, and compliance.
MSP versus MSSP: Making the Right Decision
MSPs and MSSPs fulfill distinct but complementary roles, and many organizations leverage both types of partners:
– MSP is somewhat an outsourcing business model where organizations that lack internal IT resources hire an MSP for the general daily handling of the organization’s IT structuring and end-user support.
– While most general IT processes are managed within an organization, the company does not have sufficient security capacities; therefore, it engages an MSSP to enhance security with reasonable costs.
– Mid and large enterprises may use both MSP and MSSP to address their IT needs, while the former focuses on managing IT processes and strengthening security.
Choosing partners should not be done based on a blanket approach of considering all providers when coming up with a team; rather, it should be a case-by-case selection depending on the specialty of a particular provider. This helps make sure that the organizations get the right services required from the service provider who is most equipped to provide the services.
Key Takeaways
MSPs and MSSPs have their own areas of strength. While MSPs are usually responsible for the management of IT in general, MSSPs deal with security and compliance. It is recommended that organizations consider the internal status, requirements, and resources before deciding on the right kind of partners to have, either strategic partners or facilitating partners. The right partners provide organizations with access to specialized expertise and support at flexible cost structures that are often challenging within an organization’s structure.
