What is an MSP?

The end-user systems and information technology (IT) infrastructure of a customer are remotely managed by a managed service provider (MSP), a third-party business. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), charitable organisations, and governmental organisations hire MSPs to carry out a certain range of day-to-day management tasks. These services could include infrastructure and network administration, security, and monitoring.

Daily management services are frequently handled by MSPs so that client businesses can concentrate on developing their services without being concerned about protracted system outages or service interruptions.

While some MSPs may focus on particular IT subfields, like data storage, others may concentrate on particular vertical industries, such legal, financial, healthcare, or manufacturing. For instance, managed security service providers provide specialised services like remote firewall management and other security-as-a-service options. Managed print service companies offer consumables and printer maintenance. MSPs frequently carry out their duties online from a distance.

The services for subscriptions and technical support fixes are two examples of MSP offers.

MSP technical support fix services concentrate on remotely resolving difficulties or dispatching professionals to a business’s site.

What is an MSSP?

An MSSP offers outsourced management and monitoring of security systems and equipment. Managed firewall, intrusion detection, virtual private network, vulnerability screening, and anti-viral services are examples of common services. To reduce the number of operational security personnel an enterprise needs to hire, train, and retain to maintain an acceptable security posture,

MSSPs use high-availability security operation centres (either from their own facilities or from other data centre providers). These centres can be located at other data centre providers’ facilities or at their own.

A complete outsourced security solution for an enterprise should be offered by an MSSP. The enterprise networks and endpoints of an organisation are the focus of the MSSP‘s security monitoring and incident response services.

Support for other platforms, like cloud-based infrastructure, has, however, increasingly been a part of MSSPs’ security portfolio as company networks expand and change.

Is there a difference b/w MSP VS MSSP

Both MSSPs and MSPs are external businesses that offer services to businesses.

The aim of these two categories of service providers, however, is very different. An MSP offers managed telephony (telco) or Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms in addition to conventional network and IT support. An MSSP, on the other hand, is entirely committed to offering security services.

The “operations centre” of MSPs and MSSPs is one of their key distinctions. An MSP is likely to run a network operations centre (NOC), from which they can administer and watch over the networks of their clients. A security operations centre (SOC), which offers 24/7 security monitoring and incident response, should be run by an MSSP.

Managed Service Providers

Managed Security Service Providers

+ Good for general IT management and technical support

+ Monitors your network and observes custom operations.

+ Optimizes both your hardware and software.

+ Makes sure your data is ALWAYS available for customers and employees.

+ Manages backup data and antivirus software to protect your assets.

+ Good for improving cybersecurity and meeting compliance standards.

+ Protects your infrastructure and offers 24/7 incident response.

+ Ensures your services and software are up-to-date and compliant.

+ Makes sure your data is ONLY available to customers and employees.

Benefits of Managed Service Providers?

Assist a company in filling staffing gaps: An organisation can outsource some of its tasks to the MSP if it is short on personnel.

Provide knowledge: A trustworthy MSP can give an organisation access to knowledgeable resources.

Maintain business operations: An SLA outlines the MSP’s duties to the company in the event of a disaster or during recovery.

Maintain ongoing network surveillance: Utilizing network monitoring solutions that provide system visibility and cloud

administration, several MSPs provide round-the-clock monitoring services.

Boost security: Some MSPs offer awareness programmes and security software.

Benefits of Managed Security Service Providers?

Protection Around-the-Clock: Cyberattacks can happen at any moment, not just during a company’s regular work hours. A 24/7 SOC that continuously detects and responds to potential cyberattacks should be offered by an MSSP.

Increasing Security Maturity: Many firms, especially small and medium-sized ones, do not yet possess the necessary level of cybersecurity maturity. SMBs may quickly implement an advanced cybersecurity solution with the help of an MSSP.

Cybersecurity solution configuration and management: Professional configuration and management of cybersecurity systems is essential to their effectiveness. An company can benefit from experienced security management by working with an MSSP without having to pay for the necessary talent to be on staff.

Lower Total Cost of Ownership: Multi-tenancy and high scalability are supported by many cybersecurity solutions. By spreading the cost of a strong cybersecurity infrastructure across their customer base, this enables an MSSP to employ the same solution to support numerous clients.