What’s the Difference Between an MSP and an MSSP?
- kwanjira2
- 8 minutes ago
- 2 min read
What Is an MSP?
A Managed Service Provider (MSP) is a company that takes full responsibility for managing, maintaining, and supporting a client’s IT environment according to an agreed-upon scope of work. MSP services typically include
Network management
Application support
Infrastructure administration
Ongoing security upkeep
These services may be delivered on on-premises servers at the customer’s site, in the MSP’s own data center, or in third-party cloud environments. MSPs often integrate their offerings with other cloud or managed services. While MSPs originally focused on hardware and infrastructure, today they provide scheduled, SLA-backed oversight to ensure systems run smoothly, reliably, and securely at all times.
Common MSP Tools
RMM (Remote Monitoring & Management): Enables continuous, remote health checks of servers and endpoints, allowing technicians to diagnose and remediate issues without needing to be onsite.
Patch Management: Automates deployment of software updates and security patches to close vulnerabilities and keep systems compliant.
Backup Solutions: Provides reliable data backups to protect against data loss, ensuring rapid recovery in the event of hardware failure or other incidents.
Network Management: Monitors connectivity, bandwidth utilization, and network health to optimize performance and security.
Cloud Infrastructure Management: Manages provisioning, maintenance, and monitoring of cloud resources to ensure availability, performance, and cost-efficiency.
What Is an MSSP?
A Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) specializes in cybersecurity. Through a dedicated 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC), an MSSP continuously monitors, detects, and responds to threats across an organization’s systems and critical assets. By outsourcing to an MSSP, organizations avoid the cost and complexity of hiring, training, and retaining in-house security experts, while maintaining robust, standards-based protection.
Common MSSP Tools
SIEM (Security Information and Event Management): Aggregates and analyzes logs from servers, networks, and devices to identify anomalies and generate timely alerts.
SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation & Response): Automates threat response workflows—e.g., blocking malicious IPs or isolating compromised endpoints—to accelerate incident handling and reduce manual effort.
Vulnerability Scanning: Continuously scans servers, applications, and network devices to prioritize and remediate the most critical security gaps.
Threat Intelligence: Collects and correlates threat data from multiple sources (websites, forums, feeds) to produce proactive alerts about emerging risks.
Forensics & Malware Analysis: Examines compromised systems and malicious files to determine attack vectors, trace threat actor techniques, and guide recovery and hardening efforts.
Hybrid MSP + MSSP Model
Many organizations adopt a hybrid approach—using an MSP to handle foundational IT operations while engaging an MSSP for specialized security monitoring and response. This ensures comprehensive coverage of both IT management and cybersecurity.
How to Choose the Right Provider
When evaluating MSP/MSSP partners, consider:
Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Response times, uptime guarantees, and penalty clauses.
Scope of Work: Precisely what systems, tools, and activities are covered.
Team Expertise: Certifications, industry experience, and vendor partnerships.
Customer References: Testimonials and case studies demonstrating real-world performance.
Why BMSP?
At BMSP (Bangkok MSP Company Limited), we offer end-to-end MSP and MSSP services:
One-Stop Service: From consulting and design to implementation, ongoing support, and proactive optimization.
24/7 SOC Monitoring & Response by our in-house Thai team.
Transparent SLAs: Clear reporting and measurable outcomes.
Interested in our solutions?
Email us at marketing@bangkokmsp.com
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