What Is a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP)?
Cybersecurity has become too complex for many businesses to manage with basic antivirus software, a firewall and occasional IT support. Modern organizations have users working remotely, cloud applications, Microsoft 365 environments, mobile devices, servers, SaaS applications and increasingly sophisticated cyber threats targeting their data.
This is where a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) can play an important role.
An MSSP is a technology company that provides ongoing cybersecurity management, monitoring, threat detection and security response for businesses. Instead of relying entirely on an internal IT department to identify and respond to security threats, an organization can work with an MSSP that provides specialized cybersecurity expertise and security operations.
An MSSP may provide services such as:
- 24/7 security monitoring
- Security Operations Center (SOC) services
- Managed Detection and Response (MDR)
- Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
- Extended Detection and Response (XDR)
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
- Vulnerability management
- Threat detection
- Incident response
- Ransomware protection
- Email security
- Microsoft 365 security
- Cloud security
- Firewall management
- Network security monitoring
- Identity and access management
- Multi-factor authentication management
- Security awareness
- Compliance support
- Cybersecurity assessments
- Security reporting
The exact services provided vary between MSSPs, which is why businesses should look beyond the label and evaluate exactly what is included.
NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 provides a useful foundation for understanding cybersecurity as an ongoing risk-management process rather than simply purchasing a security product. The framework organizes cybersecurity around Govern, Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond and Recover.
MSSP vs. MSP: What Is the Difference?
One of the most common questions businesses ask is:
What is the difference between an MSP and an MSSP?
An MSP, or Managed Service Provider, generally manages an organization’s IT environment.
This can include:
- Help desk support
- Computer management
- Server management
- Microsoft 365 administration
- Network management
- Cloud services
- Backup
- Software updates
- Hardware
- IT infrastructure
An MSSP, or Managed Security Services Provider, focuses specifically on cybersecurity.
The distinction is important because keeping computers operational is not the same thing as actively detecting and responding to cyber threats.
For example, an MSP may make sure a laptop is patched and functioning properly. An MSSP may monitor that laptop for suspicious PowerShell activity, credential theft, ransomware behavior or other indicators of compromise.
Many organizations benefit from having their IT operations and cybersecurity coordinated. Others may use a dedicated MSSP alongside an existing IT provider.
Why Businesses Are Turning to MSSPs
Cybersecurity requires continuous attention.
A business can have a firewall, endpoint protection, MFA and backups and still experience a security incident.
The problem is often not the absence of security technology. It is the absence of continuous monitoring, skilled analysis and rapid response.
Security tools generate alerts. Someone has to determine which alerts matter.
That is one of the central reasons businesses use an MSSP.
An MSSP can continuously monitor security events and investigate suspicious activity rather than leaving the organization’s internal IT team responsible for watching security dashboards around the clock.
CISA specifically recommends organizations implement monitoring and logging, endpoint detection capabilities and strong controls around remote access and MFA.
What Does an MSSP Actually Monitor?
A professional MSSP may monitor multiple layers of an organization’s technology environment.
Endpoints
Endpoints include:
- Desktop computers
- Laptops
- Servers
- Workstations
- Mobile devices
EDR technology can collect security telemetry from endpoints and help identify suspicious behavior.
Identity
Identity has become a major cybersecurity control.
An MSSP may monitor:
- Failed login attempts
- Impossible travel
- Privilege escalation
- Suspicious administrator activity
- New accounts
- MFA events
- Password attacks
- Credential abuse
Email remains a major attack vector.
Security monitoring may identify:
- Phishing
- Malicious attachments
- Suspicious links
- Account takeover
- Business email compromise
- Spoofing
- Malicious forwarding rules
Network
Network monitoring can identify unusual traffic, unauthorized connections and suspicious behavior between systems.
Cloud
Modern organizations may use:
- Microsoft Azure
- Microsoft 365
- AWS
- Google Cloud
- SaaS applications
Cloud security therefore needs to be included in the overall cybersecurity strategy.
What Is a SOC?
A Security Operations Center (SOC) is a team or operational function responsible for monitoring and responding to cybersecurity events.
When an MSSP says it provides 24/7 SOC monitoring, businesses should ask what that actually means.
Important questions include:
- Is the SOC staffed by security analysts?
- Is monitoring actually performed 24/7?
- What technologies are monitored?
- Who investigates alerts?
- What happens when a threat is detected?
- Can the MSSP isolate an endpoint?
- Can the provider disable a compromised account?
- How quickly does escalation occur?
- Is incident response included?
- Are there additional fees for incident response?
A dashboard alone is not the same thing as a managed security service.
MSSP and Managed Detection and Response
Managed Detection and Response (MDR) is another term buyers frequently encounter.
MDR focuses on detecting threats and responding to them.
An MSSP can provide MDR as part of a broader managed security program.
For example, an MSSP might combine:
EDR + SIEM + SOC monitoring + threat intelligence + human analysis + incident response
This creates a more complete security operation than simply installing endpoint protection.
What Is SIEM?
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) technology collects and analyzes security events from multiple systems.
Potential data sources include:
- Firewalls
- Servers
- Endpoints
- Microsoft 365
- Identity platforms
- Cloud environments
- Applications
- Network infrastructure
The purpose is to correlate information and identify potentially malicious activity.
However, simply collecting logs does not automatically create security.
Logs need to be configured correctly, retained appropriately and analyzed.
CISA guidance emphasizes centralized logging and security monitoring, while Canadian Centre for Cyber Security guidance recommends businesses understand what logs are collected, how they are reviewed and how long they are retained.
What Should a Business Expect From an MSSP?
A good MSSP should provide more than technology.
Businesses should expect:
Security expertise
Cybersecurity specialists should understand current attack techniques and security controls.
Continuous monitoring
Threats can occur outside business hours. Security monitoring should therefore not stop when the office closes.
Defined response procedures
A business should know what happens when a threat is detected.
Reporting
Management needs understandable reporting, not just thousands of technical alerts.
Risk reduction
The MSSP should identify weaknesses and recommend improvements.
Clear accountability
The customer should understand exactly which responsibilities belong to the MSSP, internal IT and employees.
Who Needs an MSSP?
MSSP services can be valuable for:
- Small businesses
- Medium-sized businesses
- Professional services firms
- Healthcare organizations
- Financial organizations
- Legal firms
- Manufacturing companies
- Construction companies
- Property management companies
- Organizations with remote workers
- Multi-location businesses
- Organizations handling sensitive customer information
- Businesses subject to regulatory requirements
An MSSP is particularly valuable for an organization that does not have the resources to employ a full internal cybersecurity team.
How to Choose an MSSP
Before selecting a provider, ask for a detailed explanation of:
- Security monitoring coverage
- 24/7 availability
- EDR platform
- SIEM capabilities
- MDR capabilities
- Incident response
- Vulnerability management
- Microsoft 365 security
- Cloud security
- Firewall monitoring
- Security reporting
- Compliance support
- Backup and recovery coordination
- Response SLAs
- Pricing and exclusions
The goal is not simply to install more security software. The goal is to create an ongoing process for identifying risks, protecting systems, detecting suspicious activity, responding to incidents and recovering when something goes wrong. For organizations without a large internal security team, an MSSP can provide access to cybersecurity technology, expertise, monitoring and response capabilities without building an entire security operation internally. Businesses evaluating an MSSP should focus on the actual services, people, technology, response procedures and accountability behind the provider’s offering.