Companies are spending more money on IT than ever before – and that trend shows no sign of stopping. Small companies that don’t have a big budget can rely on alternative solutions, such as hiring an MSP or Mssp, depending on their needs. So, what’s the difference between MSP vs. MSSP?

MSPs deal in infrastructure and basic cybersecurity services. They provide companies with an affordable and efficient way to store and manage their data. MSSPs focus on cybersecurity and provide more in-depth services to protect companies from cyberattacks.

Although MSP and MSSP are one letter short of being the same in name, they have drastically different approaches to doing business, though they may complement each other if you need both to run your business. Before you decide between either one, you should have a definition of each one.

MSP vs. MSSP: A Definition

• MSP (Managed Services Provider). MSPs focus on giving companies reliable IT infrastructure at an affordable price. They provide network, communication, and cloud management, among other services. At the same time, they provide basic cybersecurity services to protect the data they manage from harm. An MSP helps companies have the basic IT infrastructure necessary to do business.
• MSSP (Managed Security Services Provider). MSSPs provide around-the-clock surveillance and cybersecurity for companies that don’t want or can’t afford to hire in-house cybersecurity analysts. They monitor activity to prevent threats or identify and contain them once an attack happens. MSSPs are fortresses-for-hire that can secure and keep your data safe from harm.

The Role of an MSP

An MSP is the link between your company and your data. They make sure servers are running smoothly at all times, that employees have no issues accessing their data, and help you troubleshoot any issues you may encounter with your IT Infrastructure.

Think of an MSP as a technology administrator for hire. They will supervise anything IT-related to make sure you can focus on your business. At the same time, they’ll provide a certain degree of Cybersecurity measures to prevent any data leaks or other worst-case scenarios.

However, an MSP doesn’t deal in in-depth cybersecurity, unlike an MSSP.

MSP Characteristics

• Emphasis on Infrastructure. MSPs often offer big packages that include a lot of things, though their main emphasis is on infrastructure. They will set up the best way for you to store and manage data, so your company has no trouble with accessing information. Your network will work the way it should when you hire the right MSP.
• Knowledge About Hardware. MSPs deal with three things: people, software, and hardware. Their emphasis is on hardware (servers and devices), though using the best software to run them is key. At the same time, they know where employees often fall short when dealing with tech, so they can troubleshoot any issues that may happen down the line.
• Employee Efficiency. An MSP isn’t about servers alone. As you know, they have to make sure there’s a good relationship between hardware and people, so your business can run smoothly. For that reason, most MSPs also work as a help desk of sorts, helping employees have an efficient run at their job.

Who Needs To Hire an MSP?

Companies with little to no IT infrastructure should hire an MSP. Those who can’t manage or handle their network are also ideal candidates for this type of provider. Businesses that want to cut costs or have a more cost-effective approach to storing data are sound suitors too.

Ask yourself these questions to figure out if you need to hire an MSP:

• Is your company having a hard time storing data?
• Are you losing money because employees deal with a lot of server downtime?
• Is your in-house IT department costing you more than salaries alone?

If you answered yes to any (or several) of these questions, you should research the best MSPs in your area.

The Role of an MSSP

An MSSP focuses on cybersecurity. They will build a fortress around your infrastructure to prevent any threat actors from infiltrating it. At the same time, they have their weapons ready to fend off any attacks that may compromise your data.

This company checks for vulnerabilities, outdated software and hardware, encrypts your information, and more. They’re your digital army that ensures nobody can steal what’s yours. They also work around the clock to protect your clients and employees from digital harm.

However, they’re not there to set up your servers or help your workflow. Their sole focus is on cybersecurity and cyberattacks.

MSSP Characteristics

• Emphasis on Safety. An MSSP will check your software and hardware, not to ensure efficiency but to ensure safety instead. They want to prevent threat actors from exploiting vulnerabilities they may find in outdated systems, so they do everything they can to prevent that. Changing pieces in your infrastructure may be requested if they deem it unsecure.
• Knowledge of Rules and Regulations. Companies that handle sensitive data must follow certain rules and regulations to avoid having trouble with the law. Several MSSPs know about these guidelines, helping companies who may have suffered from a breach to recover without having to clash with authorities.
• Customer Protection. An MSSP takes the role of a guardian: they protect your information, your company, and your customers. They do so because it’s their job – and to prevent data breaches from happening, which could easily bankrupt your business. At the same time, they also ensure employees are safe from harm to avoid having them become the weak link in a network.

Who Needs To Hire an MSSP?

Companies under attack, that went through a breach, or dealt with incredibly sensitive information should hire an MSSP. Those who can’t afford or want to downsize their cybersecurity department should consider this opportunity too. Businesses having bad luck with malware infections may also want to consider hiring an MSSP.

Ask yourself these questions to figure out if you need to hire an MSP:

• Do you suspect there’s an insider threat causing damage to your company?
• Have you suffered plenty of successful cyberattacks in the past?
• Are you having trouble with employees falling for scams and malware?

You shouldn’t disregard these issues. Hiring an MSSP will sort them out.

Is MSP or MSSP Better?

MSPs and MSSPs are different, though neither is better than the other. That means your company will be better suited to hire one or the other (or both). Whether you need to hire either one depends on what your company needs to work on.

MSPs provide infrastructure. They’ll give a place for your company to store data efficiently. That way, your employees will have an easier time with their workload. Your clients will be happier customers thanks to a better delivery rate.

MSSPs provide security. They’ll protect your IT infrastructure by fending off cyberattacks. Your clients’ and employees’ information will be safe from harm that way, making sure you don’t have catastrophic money losses after a data breach.

6 Differences Between MSP and MSSP

1. MSP Is About Data Delivery and Efficiency

Companies are good as long as they are efficient: in today’s fast-paced world, one second late is too late. For that reason, having a powerful infrastructure is a must to compete in the modern market.

An MSP can help you with that. They’ll provide the perfect infrastructure for your company, helping you focus on your business. At the same time, they’ll work 24/7 to ensure your servers are running smoothly.

This provider will also take care of data backups in case something goes wrong. They’ll also take care of any endpoints you may not know to prevent leaks.

2. MSSP Is About Data Security and Safety

The entire emphasis of an MSSP is on cybersecurity. They care about infrastructure as long as they have to protect it from hackers, though don’t expect them to set your servers up.

For example, they’ll worry about downtime if an attacker tries to perform a DDoS attack on your servers – but it’s not their business if an employee inputs the wrong command, shutting down your website.

Data loss works the same way. They’ll prevent hackers from stealing your information, causing a data breach. However, they can’t do much if your servers malfunction and lose data.

3. MSP Provides Basic Cybersecurity Protection

MSPs are more of a full package kind of deal than MSSPs: they’ll provide plenty of services to ensure you have the perfect IT infrastructure for your business, and on top of that, they’ll provide basic cybersecurity services to protect it.

However, basic cybersecurity isn’t enough to stop modern threat actors. It’ll fend off certain attacks, though one is bound to slip through the cracks unless you make a real effort to defend yourself.

An MSP is perfect for a company early on. You’ll have more sensitive data in storage as time goes on, meaning you’ll have to make more of an effort to protect it.

4. MSSP Provides Full Protection (But Lacks in Other Areas)

Do you want to build a fortress around your company? It’s the best way to have hackers fail every time they try to attack you. MSSPs are perfect for anyone who’s looking for something like that.

However, MSSPs are not for your business if you lack in other areas or resources. A fortress is no good if it has nothing to safeguard. In other words, what will an MSSP protect if you have no infrastructure in the first place?

MSSPs secure your digital work environment. However, if you need a proper environment in the first place, you should research MSPs first.

5. MSP Ensures Your Employees Have What They Need

MSPs focus on data and infrastructure. They’ll set up the most efficient way to store and manage your data. At the same time, they’ll monitor their software and hardware to ensure you have access to your information around the clock.

That means your employees can focus on their tasks instead of fighting against an aging system that prevents them from working. Employee burnout is real, so making sure your workers have everything they need to do their tasks is a must.

Preventing downtime is also important. You can lose plenty of money if you can’t access your data in real time. However, a data breach could also be costly.

6. MSSP Ensures Your Clients Are Safe From Harm

MSSPs are simple to understand: they’ll do everything they can to keep threat actors away from your data. One data breach could bankrupt your business, so spending money to hire this service seems a small cost to pay to prevent that from happening.

At the same time, your clients will rest easy knowing you’re taking measures to protect their information. That’s right: customers care about what happens to their personal information, credit card numbers, and other sensitive data.

For that reason, hiring an MSSP is never a bad idea, especially if you don’t have the money or manpower to have a dedicated cybersecurity department.

Do You Need Both MSP and MSSP?

Whether you should hire an MSP or MSSP depends on your needs and priorities. Certain companies may need to hire a business that provides both services, though one of them is often enough.

Companies that need to hire an MSP lack IT infrastructure. They have no way to store, transfer, and manage data independently. In other words, they need someone to help them from the ground up. In that scenario, cybersecurity is not a concern yet – so an MSSP isn’t necessary.

An MSSP is perfect for companies starting to think about cyberattacks – or may have suffered one in the past. Certain businesses offer a full package (a combination of MSP and MSSP services), and you may want to consider that once your company is big enough.

Conclusion

MSP deals in infrastructure and basic cybersecurity services. It’s perfect for small companies who want a competitive choice to kickstart their data storage efforts. An MSSP provides an in-depth cybersecurity approach and is better suited for companies that already have their basic IT needs figured out.

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