Choosing Between MSP and MSSP: What Your Business Needs to Know  

Your business relies on technology every single day—but when something breaks, who do you call? If your network goes down, emails stop working, or cloud services crash, a Managed IT Services Provider (MSP) is your go-to solution. 

It’s clear that organizations need IT support, but with various IT providers out there how do you know which types are the best? In this blog we will uncover the essentials of IT managed service providers (MSP) and managed security services providers (MSSP) and the differences between the two.  

Choosing the wrong type of provider can lead to serious drawbacks, such as security vulnerabilities if critical protections are overlooked, or added complexity and cost if you invest in an MSSP when a standard MSP would suffice. Understanding the differences between these services is key to making an informed decision that fits your business’s actual needs. 

Let’s explore this further. 

Table of Contents:

• What is an MSP?
• What is an MSSP?
• Key Differences Between an MSP and MSSP
• When Should A Business Choose an MSP vs an MSSP
• The Future of MSPs and MSSPs

What is an MSP? (Managed IT Service Provider) 

An IT MSP (Managed Service Provider) is an outsourced team that manages a company’s IT infrastructure, security, and offers support to ensure smooth operations and prevent issues. 

Typical Services Provided by an IT MSP: 

• Cloud Solutions: Assisting businesses with cloud migration, management, and optimization to enhance their IT infrastructure. 

• Software Updates: Ensuring systems and applications are up to date with the latest patches and upgrades to maintain security and functionality. 

• IT Helpdesk Support: Providing 24/7 technical support to resolve any IT-related issues promptly and efficiently. 

• Data Backup: Implementing automated and secure backup solutions to protect against data loss. 

• Disaster Recovery: Developing and maintaining plans to quickly restore operations and data in the event of a disruptive incident. 

Learn more about our Canadian managed IT services. 

Who Needs an MSP? 

If your business is in dire need of IT support, you have network issues, need cloud services or is missing in-house IT expertise, you may be a great candidate for IT MSP services. Through a partnership with an IT-MSP provider, organizations gain quick access to professional IT support and the latest technologies without the overhead costs of maintaining an in-house team. 

Limitations of MSPs 

While MSPs offer essential IT services, they may not provide the latest and most advanced data and information security measures beyond basic solutions like firewalls and antivirus software. For higher-level protection against sophisticated cyber threats, you may need look for more specialized cybersecurity services that go beyond the scope of most IT MSPs. 

This is where IT MSSPs come in! 

What is an MSSP? (Managed Security Service Provider) 

Imagine having a 24/7 team of cybersecurity experts monitoring your network for threats before they can cause damage. That’s exactly what a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) does. 

Managed Security Services Providers (MSSPs) specialize in delivering advanced cybersecurity and IT security solutions. Beyond just protecting digital assets, they offer continuous threat detection, incident response, network and endpoint security, cloud security, and data protection services. These solutions are configured to the unique infrastructure, compliance requirements, and risk profiles of each client, ensuring complete protection across all digital environments. 

Typical Services Provided by an IT MSSP : 

• SIEM (Security Information & Event Management): MSSPs use SIEM tools to collect, analyze, and act upon log data from various sources to provide actionable live insights into security incidents, ensuring prompt threat detection and response times. 

• Threat Intelligence: IT MSSPs offer threat intelligence solutions that keep you informed on the latest cyber threats and vulnerabilities, allowing you to proactively defend against cyber-attacks. 

• 24/7 Monitoring: With around-the-clock monitoring, MSSPs such as DNSnetworks ensure continuous monitoring over your organization’s IT environment, quickly mitigating any suspicious activities or security breaches. 

• Incident Response: MSSPs provide incident response services to quickly reduce the impact of security incidents, minimizing downtime and damage to the organization. 

• Compliance Solutions: MSSPs help organizations meet regulatory requirements by implementing and managing compliance frameworks, ensuring that security practices align with relevant industry standards and legal obligations.  Learn more about IT Governance.

Who Needs an MSSP? 

If your business is involved with handling sensitive data within strictly regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, and ecommerce, you may need the expertise of IT MSSPs to increase your security posture and be able to quickly address threats and vulnerabilities as they get detected. 

How MSSPs Boosts Your Security Posture 

As cyber threats continue to evolve, MSSPs help businesses stay ahead by proactively identifying and addressing risks, reducing exposure and strengthening overall security. 

Learn more about the benefits of partnering with a Managed IT Security Service Provider

Key Differences Between an MSP and an MSSP 

Features	MSP (Managed IT Service Provider)	MSSP (Managed Security Service Provider)
Primary Focus	IT support & infrastructure	Cybersecurity & risk management
Service Scope	– Network Monitoring   – Helpdesk Support   – Hardware/Software Management   – Cloud Services   – Data Backup and Recovery	– Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)   – Intrusion Detection and Prevention   – Vulnerability Management   – Incident Response   – Compliance Management (GDPR, HIPAA)
Proactive Measures	– Regular system updates   – Patch management   – Performance monitoring	– Real-time threat monitoring   – Advanced threat intelligence   – Security audits and penetration testing
Typical Clients	– Small to Medium-sized Businesses   – Enterprises without dedicated IT departments	– Financial institutions   – Healthcare organizations   – Enterprises with high-value data
Support Focus	– User support   – IT infrastructure reliability   – General IT maintenance	– Incident detection and response   – Data protection   – Regulatory compliance
Risk Management	– Basic antivirus   – Firewall configuration	– Zero-trust security  – Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)   – Comprehensive threat hunting

When Should a Business Choose an MSP vs. an MSSP? 

Signs You Need an MSP	Signs You Need an MSSP
You need IT support but don’t have an in-house IT team.	Your business deals with financial, healthcare, or sensitive data.
Your company requires cloud services and network management.	You need 24/7 cybersecurity monitoring and compliance adherence.
You don’t face high cybersecurity risks but need basic protection.	Your industry is at high risk for cyber threats.

The Future of MSPs and MSSPs in 2025 and Beyond 

Technology is quickly evolving and so is the future of IT MSP and MSSP. Whether you’re dealing with AI-driven attacks, adapting to zero-trust models, or responding to other emerging threats, businesses must continue to innovate to stay secure and competitive Let’s go over some of these: 

Rise of AI and Automation in IT & Security 

AI and automation will continue to disrupt and innovate IT and security. If you’re seeking AI-powered threat detection or predictive analytics, these tools are continuously advancing, enabling MSSPs to deliver faster, more effective threat detection and response through automation that supports real-time action. 

Zero Trust Security & the Role of MSSPs 

MSSPs will be pivotal in implementing zero-trust security frameworks, based on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” This approach means user identities and access is constantly monitored, providing your business with stronger protection against bad actors and security threats 

The Cloud-First Approach 

Businesses will adopt cloud-first strategies led by reputable IT MSPs and MSSPs. These providers will manage and optimize cloud environments, offering increased scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency. 

MSPs and MSSPs Will Work Together More Closely 

In summary, expect to see AI, zero-trust models, cloud adoption, and collaborative efforts between MSPs and MSSPs driving advancements in IT and cybersecurity services. MSPs and MSSPs will collaborate more, integrating IT management and security to improve efficiency and resilience. AI, zero-trust models, and cloud adoption will also shape the future of IT and cybersecurity. 

Not sure if you need an MSP or MSSP services? Contact DNSnetworks for a free consultation today. 

Choosing the right IT partner is not just about keeping your business running, it’s about ensuring that your data, operations, and future are protected. Businesses need to choose an IT partner that aligns with their goals. Start by assessing your needs: if you’re looking for IT management, an MSP is the right choice; for cybersecurity, an MSSP is a better fit. If you require both, consider a hybrid approach 

See the benefits of working with our IT consultants based in Ottawa, Ontario for yourself or get in touch to learn which approach (or a mix a both) is better suited for your business.