What is the difference between an MSP and MSSP?

What is the difference between an MSP (Managed Service Provider) and MSSP (Managed Security Service Provider) and which one do you need?

While they sound similar and often work hand-in-hand, they serve distinct functions within an organization’s technology ecosystem. Understanding the difference between an MSP and an MSSP is essential for businesses aiming to build a resilient, efficient, and secure IT infrastructure.

What Is an MSP?

A Managed Service Provider (MSP) is a third-party company that remotely manages a business’s IT infrastructure and end-user systems. MSPs typically offer a broad range of services that can include:

• Helpdesk support and troubleshooting
• Network monitoring and management
• Hardware and software procurement
• Patch management and updates
• Backup and disaster recovery
• Cloud services and support

MSPs help businesses stay productive by ensuring that their systems are running smoothly and efficiently. They take a proactive approach to IT by monitoring systems 24/7, resolving issues before they cause downtime, and offering strategic guidance to support growth.

For small to medium-sized businesses that don’t have an in-house IT department, an MSP can be a cost-effective way to access enterprise-level IT support and consulting. Even larger enterprises may use MSPs to offload routine IT tasks and free up internal teams for more strategic projects.

What Is an MSSP?

A Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP), on the other hand, is focused on cybersecurity. MSSPs monitor and manage an organization’s security systems and devices. Their services are specialized and may include:

• Threat detection and incident response
• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
• Vulnerability scanning and management
• Endpoint detection and response (EDR)
• Managed firewall and intrusion detection/prevention
• Compliance reporting and risk assessments

MSSPs operate Security Operations Centers (SOCs) that provide around-the-clock monitoring for potential threats. They respond to incidents in real-time, helping to contain and remediate attacks before they can do significant damage. MSSPs are especially important for organizations with regulatory compliance needs (like HIPAA, GDPR, or PCI-DSS) or organizations that recognize the need to reduce the risk of cyberattacks and increase their resilience to bounce back from cyber incidents.

Key Differences Between MSPs and MSSPs

While MSPs and MSSPs may both offer managed services, their focus, tools, and expertise differ in several critical areas:

Can a Company Be Both an MSP and MSSP?

Yes, some service providers operate as hybrid MSP/MSSPs, offering a full suite of IT and cybersecurity services. Providing both requires deep investment in cybersecurity tools, talent, and compliance frameworks. Not all MSPs are equipped to function as true MSSPs, even if they offer “security add-ons.”

When evaluating providers, businesses should ask detailed questions about their capabilities, certifications (such as SOC 2, ISO 27001), and incident response procedures. True MSSPs often employ dedicated security analysts and offer services like managed detection and response (MDR), which go beyond basic firewall and antivirus management.

Do You Need an MSP or an MSSP?

What should you consider when choosing between an MSP and MSSP—or in deciding to partner with a hybrid MSP/MSSP? It depends on your business’s size, risk profile, internal capabilities, and your organization’s tolerance for risk.

Organizations used to determine if they would need an MSP or an MSSP depending on how valuable they considered their data to be. They used to make their decision based on the following distinctions:

• If your primary concern is maintaining IT systems and minimizing downtime, an MSP is likely the right fit.
• If you’re worried about cyber threats, compliance, or recent breaches, an MSSP can provide the specialized security expertise you need.

If you need both efficiency and security, look for a provider with capabilities in both areas—or consider a partnership between a trusted MSP and a dedicated MSSP.

Why Should Organizations Partner with an MSP/MSSP Hybrid?

Cyber threats aren’t just a worry for big companies with rich data. Cybercriminals are not picky about who they target. They know every company has data and that data is valuable on the dark web. More and more organizations are recognizing that all data is valuable to cyber criminals and that they need to find an IT service provider that can do both, keep their technology running smoothly and protect them from cyber risk.

Organizations that partner with a cybersecurity-first MSP (a hybrid MSP and MSSP) are finding greater success in keeping their business up and running while also reducing their cyber risk. A cybersecurity-first MSP will be proactive in keeping your organization secure, which means they will prioritize updates, and patches, monitor suspicious activity, and keep you informed of technology that is about to become at-risk (such as Windows 10 going end of life this fall).

Why Having a Hybrid MSP/MSSP is the Only Way to Keep your Organization Secure.

While MSPs and MSSPs may appear similar at a glance, their goals are very different. MSPs keep your technology running under normal day-to-day challenges; while MSSPs defend it against attacks and cyber risks. are critical partners in ensuring long-term success. Understanding that cyber criminals are looking for weaknesses in your technology, as well as weaknesses in your cybersecurity makes the decision to go with a hybrid MSP/MSSP an easy one for organizations who want to reduce their risk and remain secure.

How do you know if you’re organization is partnered with an MSP, MSSP, or a hybrid MSP/MSSP? Or, how can you determine if you’re ready to make a switch? We can help.

Schedule a call with Snap Tech IT today.