Cybersecurity is a term that is thrown around on a daily basis for good reason — any company with an online presence or networked devices needs to be aware of possible threats to their business. Every organization, from behemoths like Lockheed Martin, Disney, and Walmart that receive thousands of intrusion attempts a day to your local take-out restaurant that now offers online ordering, needs protection from online criminals.
But larger organizations have the financial and human capital to manage cybersecurity methods in-house, whereas small to midsize companies have to decide on other, more affordable approaches, like MSPs and MSSPs, that work best for them.
MSP stands for managed service provider and can provide a lot for an organization regarding IT system operations. A managed security service provider, or MSSP, offers cyber security as a service, ensuring personnel and systems are safe, secure, and compliant. Both of these services can be very valuable to an organization’s IT components and services — even SME and EDU institutions can benefit due to the low cost and high reward of using providers like these.
So, how do you choose an MSP or MSSP for your business? Learn more about each in this quick guide.
Defining MSP and MSSP
The need for third-party security is becoming increasingly prevalent for smaller businesses that don’t have large IT departments who can monitor and manage threats and processes on their own. Depending on the specific needs of an organization, a company may need an MSP, MSSP, or both.
Some companies may need an MSP for certain general management and technical support needs and an MSSP specifically for cybersecurity and company or government security compliance protocols. However, not all businesses will need both, so it’s important to look holistically at your information technology landscape and what you will need to keep it in the best shape possible.
What is an MSP?
An MSP, which again stands for "managed service provider", is an information technology manager that focuses on managing an enterprise’s overall IT operations.
Specifically, an MSP:
- Manages a defined set of services (like IT support and device management)
- Ensures that the network is updated and maintained
- Monitors the health of the system to keep IT systems running smoothly
- It is designed to meet business objectives
What is an MSSP?
An MSSP, or managed security service provider, on the other hand, is a manager that monitors security devices and systems. An MSSP is first and foremost focused on managing an enterprise’s IT security.
Specifically, an MSSP:
- Protects against continually evolving threats
- Constantly oversees security systems
- Monitors security to make sure that the system is guarded at all times
- It is designed to meet compliance and security goals
Imagine that an MSP is your auto mechanic who gives your car tune-ups and makes sure it stays drivable on the road. The MSSP is the set of cameras, motion-detector lights, and locks that make sure no unauthorized person can take the car out of the garage. MSSPs exist (and are becoming increasingly popular) because cybersecurity has become such a concern to modern businesses. IT service providers now deem it necessary to offer security as a dedicated managed service to small and midsize businesses.
| Aspect | MSP | MSSP |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | IT operations & infrastructure management | Cybersecurity monitoring & threat response |
| Core services | Network management, help desk, cloud services, backups, device management | SIEM, threat detection, incident response, vulnerability management, compliance |
| Security depth | Basic (firewall, antivirus, patching) | Advanced (SOC, threat hunting, forensics) |
| Monitoring | System health & uptime | 24/7 security event monitoring |
| Compliance support | Limited (depends on provider) | Core offering (HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOC 2, GDPR) |
| Incident response | IT troubleshooting & remediation | Security incident containment & forensics |
| Ideal for | Organizations needing day-to-day IT management | Organizations with high security or compliance requirements |
| Cost model | Per-device or per-user monthly fee | Per-device or tiered security packages |
The role of MSPs and MSSPs in the future of cybersecurity
Like everything else in the world of information technology, MSPs and MSSPs have both had to evolve in order to provide the needed operational support and security for companies across a wide spectrum of industries.
No matter whether you choose MSP or MSSP protection for your company, each service needs to properly protect your organization’s people and assets. For example, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, recommends that MSPs do the following and should continue to improve in these areas:
- Improve the security of vulnerable devices
- Protect internet-facing services
- Defend against brute force and password spraying
- Defend against phishing
Specific to the evolution of MSSPs, SecurityWeek took a broader look ahead and pointed to the following:
- Speed: accelerating the time to detect an attack is the true indicator of security effectiveness
- Accuracy: to consistently detect serious threats requires ongoing visibility, additional data and context, and rapid analysis
- Focus: instead of focusing on generating tickets, MDR service providers focus on finding high-fidelity tickets that reduce false positives and correspond to evidence of malfeasance
MSPs and MSSPs must be well-equipped to handle various types of attacks and intrusions, including but not limited to:
- Ransomware threats
- Social engineering
- Distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks
- Risks associated with remote work
- Data breaches
MSP and MSSP providers should offer products and services that address the increasing adoption and use of various technologies, including:
- Cloud-based computing services
- Artificial intelligence (AI) solutions that are specifically tailored for IT infrastructure and security purposes
- Machine learning tools that can help automate threat detection and response
- Digital supply chain solutions that can protect the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive data
- WiFi-based business networks that require specialized security measures
Additionally, MSPs should provide a range of IT management software, such as cloud management, enterprise architecture software, EMM (Enterprise Mobility Management), UEM (Unified Endpoint Management), and service desk software, among others.
Finally, an MSP or MSSP should assist a client company with new cybersecurity regulations, which means not only working within the IT parameters, protocols, and regulations for that industry but also adjusting to changes made at different levels of governance for cybersecurity down the road.
Which one is right for your business?
Despite the fact that both MSPs and MSSPs offer third-party services to organizations, their objectives are different. An MSSP is solely focused on offering cybersecurity services whereas an MSP offers network, application, database, and other basic IT maintenance and services.
To choose which is right for your organization, consider the following:
- Current IT infrastructure and the need for customer support from a third-party service provider
- Size and complexity of the organization
- Cybersecurity maturity level
The following criteria can be used to not only help decide whether an MSP or MSSP is right for an organization; but also which provider to go with when it comes to choosing a specific product. Types of product offerings include:
- Customized solutions
- Stability
- UX – user experience
- Responsiveness
- Cost-effectiveness
- Organizational effectiveness
- Technology
- Expertise
As you are evaluating outside providers, take a look at their certifications and credentials. For MSPs, those might involve partner certifications from manufacturers (say Cisco or VMware) who offer credentials for their specific environments, or from a group such as MSP Alliance, which offers certifications such as “Cloud Verify,” “GDPR Verify,” and so on. For MSSPs, organizations such as ISACA (formerly the Information Systems Audit and Control Association, but now known only by its acronym) offer credentialing.
MSSPs are specifically for security, so if you have other needs outside of security you may need an MSP to manage a wide range of IT operational areas.
MSPs can manage any of the following (and more):
- Network and Infrastructure: WANs, LANs, managed gateways, and automated network support
- Security Services: antivirus, malware protection, patch management, and security updates
- Support Services: help centers, IT operations management, diagnostics, and remediation
- Data Analytics: data acquisition and analysis as well as AI/ML technologies to provide insights
- Software-as-a-Service: anything from SalesForce to Zoom
- Cloud Infrastructure: cloud-based computing, networks, operating systems, and storage
- Communication and Collaboration: data, video, and voice services over the IP network
- Mobile Communications and Computing: mobile software services that allow your entire team to connect to the network from any location
MSSP implementation, on the other hand, can provide the following:
- automated tasks for existing IT teams, which frees up time for new clients and projects
- compliance monitoring for enterprises in terms of insurance and governmental regulatory requirements, so that layers of protection can kick in if there is a subsequent problem
- selling points to their internal teams, which makes hiring and employee retention easier
Both MSP and MSSP providers service every industry, from national retail brands to leading payment provider services to smaller firms in the medical, manufacturing, hospitality, and automotive supplier industries.
Case studies vary, but specific benefits from MSP implementation often include the removal of pain points and hard cost savings from standardization. With the need for remote workers to access centralized office files, an MSSP can also provide a level of cybersecurity that is unattainable in-house through enhanced security protocols.
How Prey supports MSPs and MSSPs
Whether you’re an MSP managing IT operations or an MSSP focused on security, Prey adds a device security layer that complements your existing stack. With a dedicated MSP portal, Prey is built for providers managing multiple client fleets from a single dashboard.
- Multi-tenant management: Manage all your client accounts from one portal. Add, remove, and organize devices across multiple organizations without switching between dashboards.
- Always-on GPS tracking: Locate any device in real time across your entire client base. Geofencing alerts notify you when devices leave designated areas — critical for compliance-sensitive environments.
- Remote lock, wipe & factory reset: Respond instantly to lost or stolen devices. Protect client data with remote security actions that execute in seconds, not hours.
- Breach monitoring: Prey Breach Monitoring scans the dark web for leaked credentials tied to your clients’ domains. Weekly reports with severity scores help MSPs and MSSPs offer proactive security as a service.
- Hardware & software inventory: Maintain accurate asset inventories across every client. Track OS versions, disk encryption status, and installed software to ensure compliance readiness.
- Multi-OS support: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Chromebook — all managed from one platform. No gaps in coverage regardless of your clients’ device mix.
For MSPs looking to add device security to their service portfolio, Prey offers flexible per-device pricing starting from $1.3/device/month with dedicated partner support. Learn more about Prey for MSPs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an MSP and MSSP?
An MSP (managed service provider) focuses on managing an organization’s overall IT operations — network maintenance, help desk, cloud services, and device management. An MSSP (managed security service provider) specializes in cybersecurity — threat detection, incident response, compliance monitoring, and security event management. Some organizations use both.
Can an MSP provide cybersecurity services?
Many MSPs offer basic security services like firewall management, antivirus, and patch management. However, advanced capabilities like 24/7 threat monitoring, SIEM, and incident forensics typically require an MSSP or a specialized security add-on. Some MSPs partner with MSSPs to offer a combined service.
Do I need both an MSP and an MSSP?
It depends on your organization’s size, industry, and risk profile. Companies in regulated industries (healthcare, finance, education) or those handling sensitive data often benefit from both: an MSP for IT operations and an MSSP for dedicated security monitoring. Smaller organizations may start with an MSP that offers basic security and add MSSP services as they grow.
How much does an MSP or MSSP cost?
MSP pricing typically ranges from $50–$150 per user per month for basic IT management. MSSP services generally cost $100–$300+ per user per month depending on the scope of security monitoring and compliance requirements. Many providers offer tiered packages that scale with your needs.
