What is the Difference Between a Managed Security Service and an MSSP?
Difference Between a Managed Security Service and an MSSP
While it is possible to have a strong internal security team, some organizations prefer to work with an MSSP to handle their 24/7/365 monitoring and threat detection. This enables them to focus on other priority business objectives and also helps ensure compliance with industry regulations that may be difficult for an internal team to keep up with.
A good MSSP will bring a level of expertise and technology that most organizations simply don’t have the resources to provide internally. This can include advanced technologies and specialized expertise in the latest cyber threats, risk analysis and incident response services.
It’s important to understand that an managed security service provider is a service provider and not a cybersecurity software or hardware manufacturer. This is why it is essential to ask the potential vendor for references and case studies.
This will allow you to get a feel for how the vendor operates and the results they have achieved. You should also be sure to understand their pricing models. Many MSSPs have subscription-based models while others operate on a usage-based model. Some also offer hybrid models that mix aspects of both.
You should also be sure to learn what security technologies the MSSP is using and their approach to leveraging those solutions. This is important because you want to make sure they are able to meet your needs in the face of ever-changing cyber threats.
What is the Difference Between a Managed Security Service and an MSSP?
A good MSSP will also have a security operations center (SOC) that provides security monitoring, threat hunting and other response services. Ideally, this will be fully integrated with the client’s IT infrastructure to help them provide more comprehensive protection. Many SOCs are operated by large IT services companies that offer managed security service provider. These providers are often able to offer SOC-as-a-Service or MDR on a more affordable basis than an in-house team. While this model can be cost effective, there are some drawbacks.
The SOC will perform a range of other functions, including monitoring the network for suspicious activity, managing the firewall to establish clear policy rules and identify intruders, performing penetration testing (Pentests) and providing other vulnerability assessments and risk remediation services. In the event of a breach or other security incident, the SOC will be able to quickly detect and respond to the issue.
A quality MSSP will be eager and responsive to customer requests. This is particularly true when it comes to responding to a cyber incident or addressing a new threat. It’s also important to look at how an MSSP communicates with their clients, such as how frequently they update them on their status, what types of reports are provided and what they’re doing to help protect the client’s systems.
Finally, you should ask potential MSSPs for information on their cybersecurity training and certifications. This can give you a sense of their experience and capabilities and whether they have the necessary skills to address the most complex threats. It’s also worth asking about any additional qualifications or certifications that they have, such as compliance with a particular regulation (e.g. GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS).