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If you are a business leader or IT director trying to figure out who should be managing your technology, you have likely run into two very similar-sounding terms: MSP (Managed Service Provider) and MSSP (Managed Security Service Provider).
At first glance, they seem interchangeable. Both involve outsourcing to an external team to handle your technical and cybersecurity needs. Both promise to make your life easier. Both usually charge a monthly fee. But assuming they are the same thing is a dangerous mistake—one that could leave your organization vulnerable to a cyberattack.
Key takeaways:
Before we dive deep into the technical details, let’s look at the big picture. The primary conflict here isn't about which service is "better." It is about understanding that they solve different problems.
The key takeaway is that IT administration and cybersecurity are two different disciplines. Being good at fixing a printer or migrating email to the cloud does not automatically make someone an expert in hunting down Russian hackers inside a network.
Here is what you need to remember:
The core focus: MSPs focus on IT administration, performance, and usability. Their job is to make sure your technology works. MSSPs focus strictly on security monitoring, incident response, and data protection. Their job is to make sure your technology is not compromised.
Complementary, not competitive: These aren't mutually exclusive. Many organizations use both. An MSP keeps the systems running, while an MSSP ensures those systems are defended against sophisticated threats.
The shift: Modern MSPs are increasingly adopting a "security-first" mindset. However, achieving true MSSP status requires a 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC) and specialized compliance expertise, which is expensive to build in-house.
Platform empowerment: Cybersecurity platforms like Huntress allow standard MSPs to bridge the gap. By using a managed security platform, an MSP can provide MSSP-level detection and response without the massive overhead of building their own SOC from scratch.
What is a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP)?
Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) are third-party outsourced companies that specialize in providing top-notch cybersecurity services. Basically, a cybersecurity superhero. Their goal is to help organizations stay secure against emerging cyber threats by providing managed, proactive monitoring and incident response services.
Imagine you have a 24/7 team of experts who specialize in stopping threat actors, preventing data breaches, and keeping an eye on all suspicious activity in your network. That’s exactly what MSSPs do. They act as an extension of your company, equipping you with the tools and support you need to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.
But be warned—not all MSSPs are created equal, so working with a reputable one is key. A good MSSP doesn’t just sell you fancy software. They actively monitor, respond to, and mitigate risks before they become full-blown tragedies.
What does an MSP Do?
An MSP is essentially an outsourced IT department. For small to mid-sized organizations that cannot afford a full internal team of technicians, an MSP is the lifeline that keeps the business running.
Their primary goal is operational efficiency. They want to ensure your technology is functional, your software is up to date, and your employees are productive. If your email goes down, your internet is slow, or you need to set up a new laptop for a hire, you call your MSP.
Scope of services
An MSP generally covers a broad range of "keep the lights on" activities:
Help desk support: Answering user tickets for password resets, printer issues, and software glitches.
Network configuration: Setting up Wi-Fi, firewalls, and switches to ensure connectivity.
Software management: Handling licenses for Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and other SaaS products.
Hardware maintenance: Procuring, setting up, and retiring computers and servers.
Backup and disaster recovery: Ensuring data is backed up (though the security of that backup often falls into a grey area).
What does a Managed Security Service provider do?
Now you might be wondering—what exactly does an MSSP do, and why should this be part of your monthly technology budget? We are here to break it down.
1. 24/7 threat detection and monitoring
Think of MSSPs as round-the-clock security guards. They monitor your systems 24/7, viewing your network traffic, endpoints, and systems for any weird or suspicious activities. If anything suspicious happens on their watch, such as an attempted data breach or unauthorized login, they’ll send you alerts or deal with it directly in real-time.
2. Incident response and resolution
If a security incident happens (like a ransomware attack), MSSPs don’t just inform you about the problem. They jump into action. Whether it’s containing the attack or helping with recovery, their goal is to fix the issue with minimal downtime.
3. Vulnerability management
Software vulnerabilities are one of the most common ways hackers break in. MSSPs regularly scan your systems and apps for weaknesses, patching those vulnerabilities before someone exploits them.
4. Firewall and network management
Firewalls are like the bouncers at the nightclub of your network, deciding who gets in and who doesn’t. MSSPs manage these firewalls to ensure only the good guys get through, while the bad ones are denied entry.
5. Compliance reporting and support
If your business operates in a regulated industry like finance, healthcare, or retail, staying compliant is non-negotiable. MSSPs are experts in industry regulations and can help ensure your business meets compliance standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, CMMC).
MSSP vs. MSP: What is the difference?
Here's where people sometimes get confused. You’ve probably also heard of Managed Service Providers (MSPs). While they sound similar to MSSPs, they’re not the same thing.
Key differences: MSP vs. MSSP
Feature | Managed Service Provider (MSP) | Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) |
Primary Goal | Operational efficiency and uptime. | Security and risk mitigation. |
Core Services | Help desk, connectivity, IT administration. | 24/7 SOC, threat hunting, incident response. |
Focus Area | Network performance and usability. | Data protection and threat landscape. |
Tools Used | RMM (Remote Monitoring & Management), PSA. | SIEM, MDR, EDR, Vulnerability Scanners. |
Compliance | Focuses on technical implementation. | Focuses on regulatory adherence and auditing. |
Reactive vs Proactive | Reactive (fixing broken tech) & Proactive (updates). | Aggressively Proactive (hunting for hidden threats). |
Can an MSP be an MSSP?
This is the most common question in the industry right now. The short answer is yes, but it is a significant evolution that requires more than just buying a new software tool.
For years, MSPs have provided basic security: antivirus, firewalls, and spam filters. But in the current threat landscape, that is no longer enough. Bad threat actors don't just smash through firewalls anymore. They log in with stolen credentials. They bypass antivirus software by using "living off the land" techniques (using legitimate administrative tools for malicious purposes).
To become a true MSSP, an MSP must move beyond reselling basic prevention tools. It requires:
A Dedicated SOC: You cannot offer 24/7 security if your team goes home at 5:00 PM. Building a SOC requires staffing shifts around the clock.
Specialized Talent: Security engineers command higher salaries and have different skill sets than help desk technicians.
Proactive Threat Hunting: Instead of waiting for an alert, an MSSP actively looks for threats that might have slipped past the automated defenses.
The hybrid approach
Building a full MSSP practice from scratch is incredibly expensive and difficult. This has led to a hybrid model. Many innovative MSPs effectively become MSSPs by partnering with platforms that provide the backend security operations.
For example, an MSP might manage the client relationship and the IT infrastructure, but they partner with a cybersecurity solution like Huntress. Huntress provides the 24/7 threat hunting and incident response capabilities that a traditional MSSP would offer. This allows the MSP to deliver high-level security without having to hire a dozen security analysts and build a physical SOC.
How to know if your business needs an MSP vs. an MSSP?
Deciding between these technology providers—or deciding if you need both—depends entirely on your risk profile, your industry, and your internal capabilities.
When to outsource to an MSP
You should look for an IT partner if your primary pain points are operational.
You lack an IT department: You need someone to be the "go-to" for all computer issues.
Growth challenges: You are hiring fast and need help onboarding employees and setting up workstations.
Cloud migration: You want to move from on-premise servers to the cloud and need an architect to manage the move.
Day-to-day maintenance: You need someone to handle patching, updates, and backups.
When to outsource to an MSSP
You should look for a Managed Security Service Provider (or an MSP with a strong security partnership) if your concerns are risk-based.
Regulated Industries: You work in healthcare, finance, or defense and must adhere to strict compliance laws (HIPAA, FINRA, CMMC).
Sensitive Data: You hold personally identifiable information (PII), intellectual property, or financial records that would be catastrophic if stolen.
24/7 Requirements: You need eyes on your network nights, weekends, and holidays.
Past Breaches: You have been hit by a cyberattack before and need to ensure it doesn't happen again.
The "Hybrid" Need
The reality is that most modern businesses need the services of both. You cannot have security without IT operations, and you cannot have IT operations without security.
For many SMBs, hiring two separate vendors is too complex and costly. This is why the market is shifting toward MSPs who leverage managed security platforms. It offers the best of both worlds: the personal, operational support of a local MSP, backed by the heavy-hitting security capabilities of a dedicated threat ops team.
How the Huntress Cybersecurity Platform empowers MSPs and MSSPs
The divide between IT management and security is shrinking, largely thanks to platforms designed to bridge the gap. Huntress acts as a "force multiplier" for service providers, regardless of which label they use.
For MSPs: Elevating the security posture
For an MSP, Huntress provides the capabilities needed to offer MSSP-grade security. By deploying the Huntress agent, an MSP gains access to a 24/7 team of human threat hunters who review suspicious activity.
If a hacker bypasses the antivirus (which happens frequently), Huntress Managed EDR detects the persistence mechanism—the foothold the hacker establishes to stay in the network. The Huntress team then provides the MSP with an actionable report, or "Step-by-Step Remediation," telling the MSP exactly how to kick the hacker out.
This allows an MSP to say, "Yes, we provide 24/7 threat hunting and incident response," without lying and without bankruptcy. It turns a generalist IT provider into a formidable security defender.
For MSSPs: Streamlining detection
For established MSSPs who already have a SOC, Huntress is equally valuable. Security analysts in a SOC often suffer from "alert fatigue." They are bombarded by thousands of alerts from SIEM tools, many of which are false positives.
Huntress provides a high-fidelity layer of detection. It cuts through the noise. Because Huntress focuses on persistence—unauthorized code trying to start up automatically—it catches the sophisticated threats that other tools miss. This allows the MSSP's high-level analysts to focus on strategy and complex remediation rather than chasing ghosts in the logs.
Conclusion
The distinction between MSP and MSSP is important, but for the end client, the desired outcome is the same: technology that works and technology that is safe.
If you are a business leader, ensure you ask your provider specifically about their security stack. Do not assume that "managed services" includes "managed security." Ask them how they hunt for threats, who watches the network at 2:00 AM, and what happens if a hacker gets past the antivirus.
If you are an MSP, recognize that the days of just managing printers and firewalls are over. Your clients expect you to protect them. You do not need to build a SOC to do it, but you do need to partner with platforms that provide that level of vigilance.
Whether you choose an MSP, an MSSP, or a hybrid of both, the goal is to build a defense that is resilient, responsive, and ready for the modern threat landscape.
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