Why This Distinction Matters More Than Ever
Businesses face mounting pressure to stay secure, stay connected, and stay efficient. That means turning to expert IT support, but what kind of support is right for your business? If you’ve started researching your options, you’ve probably come across the terms Managed Service Provider (MSP) and Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP). While they sound similar, the difference between MSP and MSSP is significant and understanding that difference could impact everything from your day-to-day operations to your cybersecurity posture.
Small and mid-sized businesses, especially those without large in-house IT departments, often seek external help to manage their technology. But choosing between an MSP and MSSP isn’t just about outsourcing IT tasks, it’s about making a strategic decision that aligns with your specific needs, goals, and risk exposure.
The Increasing Importance of IT and Cybersecurity
As remote work, cloud applications, and digital collaboration tools become more ingrained in business workflows, IT infrastructure has become more complex and harder to manage internally. With cyber threats growing just as fast, and often targeting smaller businesses due to perceived vulnerabilities, the demand for outsourced technology services has split into two primary tracks:
- MSPs are typically focused on managing the broader IT environment — keeping systems running smoothly, maintaining cloud infrastructure, handling software updates, and providing help desk support.
- MSSPs, on the other hand, specialize in security-first services. These providers continuously monitor for threats, conduct vulnerability assessments, and deploy real-time responses to potential breaches.
While both types of providers can play a role in protecting your business and improving IT efficiency, they are not interchangeable.
Key Drivers Behind the MSP vs MSSP Decision
So, should your business use an MSP or MSSP? That depends on a few core factors:
- Your current IT maturity – Do you have existing internal IT support, or are you looking to fully outsource?
- Your industry’s compliance requirements – Are you subject to regulations like HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or CMMC?
- Your cybersecurity risk level – Have you experienced breaches, or do you handle sensitive customer data?
- Your strategic goals – Are you scaling quickly, migrating to the cloud, or transforming how your employees work?
SORA Technologies often encounters businesses that start with Managed IT Solutions, cloud optimization, user support, and infrastructure management, but eventually need more targeted security offerings. That’s where tools like employee phishing simulations, endpoint monitoring, and layered protection plans come into play.
Understanding the Scope: Managed Security Service Provider vs Managed Service Provider
At the core of the MSP vs MSSP debate is scope:
- MSPs are generalists in IT management, offering a wide array of services such as network monitoring, software patching, and cloud migration.
- MSSPs are specialists focused entirely on security — threat intelligence, firewall management, SIEM (Security Information and Event Management), and incident response.
That’s not to say businesses must choose one or the other. Some find a hybrid approach, leveraging the All-In-One IT Solutions model, to be the most practical, allowing them to meet their immediate operational needs while also strengthening long-term security.
What Does a Managed Service Provider (MSP) Do?
A Closer Look at MSP Services
Now that we’ve introduced the differences between MSPs and MSSPs, let’s take a closer look at what a Managed Service Provider really does. While an MSSP is focused almost entirely on security, an MSP is your day-to-day technology partner, keeping your business systems running, reducing IT headaches, and improving operational efficiency. If your business relies on technology (and whose doesn’t?), working with an MSP can be the foundation of a smart, scalable IT strategy.
MSPs typically offer comprehensive IT support designed to either complement your internal IT staff or serve as a fully outsourced department. In fact, many small and mid-sized businesses find that an MSP gives them access to enterprise-level technology support without the cost or complexity of hiring and training in-house experts.
Here are a few core services MSPs usually provide:
- Proactive Monitoring and Maintenance – Instead of reacting to problems after they happen, MSPs continuously monitor your systems to prevent downtime and fix issues before they escalate.
- Cloud Infrastructure and Migration Support – Whether you’re already in the cloud or planning to move, MSPs can help optimize your cloud setup, control costs, and secure access.
- Help Desk and User Support – From password resets to software troubleshooting, MSPs offer frontline support for your employees.
- Device and Network Management – MSPs manage the hardware and software that keeps your business running including desktops, servers, routers, and printers.
- IT Strategy and Roadmapping – Good MSPs go beyond basic maintenance. They help you plan ahead, adopt new technologies, and align IT with your business goals.
At SORA Technologies, for example, this kind of support is at the heart of our Managed IT Solutions.
When an MSP Is the Right Fit
So how do you know if your business should lean on an MSP instead of an MSSP?
You’re likely a good candidate for an MSP if:
- You need ongoing IT support but don’t have the budget or need for a full-time internal IT team.
- Your main goal is to keep systems running smoothly rather than focus entirely on cyber threats.
- You’re planning a cloud migration or need help optimizing your current infrastructure.
- You want help desk support that keeps your employees productive.
In many cases, MSPs also include basic security services, such as antivirus software, patch management, and firewall monitoring. These provide a foundation of protection, though they aren’t a replacement for the advanced threat detection offered by a dedicated Managed Security Service Provider.
That’s why understanding the difference between MSP and MSSP is so important. If your business primarily needs performance, uptime, and cloud agility, an MSP can handle your daily IT needs. If you need full-scale cybersecurity defenses, you may need to pair an MSP with an MSSP, or work with a provider that integrates both.
What Is an MSSP and When Do You Need One?
A Deeper Dive into Managed Security Service Providers
Now that we’ve outlined the general responsibilities of a Managed Service Provider, it’s time to look at the security side of the equation: the Managed Security Service Provider, or MSSP. If you’ve ever asked, “What is an MSSP, and how is it different from an MSP?”, you’re not alone. The distinction becomes clearer when you consider the level of security responsibility and the types of threats each provider is designed to handle.
Where MSPs manage and maintain your core IT infrastructure, MSSPs specialize in cybersecurity. Their primary goal is to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats that could disrupt operations, compromise data, or damage your reputation. This is increasingly important as small and mid-sized businesses become bigger targets for cyberattacks, often because they lack dedicated security resources.
MSSP Capabilities: More Than Just Antivirus
An MSSP does much more than install antivirus software or run occasional scans. These providers offer around-the-clock monitoring and advanced security tools typically used by large enterprises. Key services provided by MSSPs include:
- Threat Detection and Incident Response – MSSPs use tools like SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) systems to detect abnormal activity and respond quickly to potential breaches.
- Firewall and Endpoint Management – MSSPs configure, monitor, and update firewalls and endpoint protection tools to minimize vulnerabilities across all devices.
- Vulnerability Scanning and Risk Assessments – They regularly assess your environment for weak points, helping you prioritize fixes and stay ahead of evolving threats.
- Compliance Support – Businesses in regulated industries (e.g., healthcare, finance) often work with MSSPs to maintain compliance with frameworks like HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or SOC 2.
- Phishing Simulation and Employee Training – A good MSSP won’t just defend your systems, they’ll also help train your team to become your first line of defense against attacks. (SORA’s “Think Before You Click” program is a great example.)
While MSPs often offer basic or bundled security services, MSSPs focus entirely on deep cybersecurity protections and can often act as a virtual Security Operations Center (SOC) for your business.
Should Your Business Use an MSP or MSSP?
Deciding between a managed security service provider vs managed service provider depends on your unique risk profile and operational needs. Some businesses, particularly startups or companies without regulatory concerns, may be fine with an MSP’s basic security protections. But for organizations that:
- Handle sensitive or regulated data
- Face elevated risks due to remote work environments
- Have already experienced a cybersecurity incident
- Must meet compliance standards
…an MSSP may not just be helpful, it could be essential.
It’s worth noting that many businesses today use both. They rely on an MSP for infrastructure and user support, and bring in an MSSP for deep threat management and cybersecurity governance. Some providers, like SORA Technologies, offer bundled or collaborative options that make this easier to manage without juggling multiple contracts.
Conclusion
Partnering with SORA Technologies means choosing a proactive, trusted ally in managing your IT and cybersecurity needs. With comprehensive services spanning Managed IT Solutions, cutting-edge Cyber Security, and cloud expertise, SORA tailors solutions that grow with your business. Their commitment to customer satisfaction ensures you’re never alone in navigating complex technology challenges. Whether you need day-to-day IT support or advanced security protection, SORA Technologies delivers peace of mind and real results. Discover how a partnership with SORA can empower your business to stay secure, efficient, and ahead of the curve.