MSSP vs. MSP<\/h2>\n
While MSPs<\/a> typically adhere to security best practices when deploying IT services, they don\u2019t really offer security as a managed offering. MSSPs, on the other hand, actively provide clients with active threat detection, response, and remediation services.<\/p>\n With growing demands for managed security services, MSPs should review their business model and capacity to see if they can fill this market gap. Although the specialized nature of security services makes it difficult for most MSPs to deliver MSSP offerings, the rewards are well worth it. Your clients only have to interface with one IT provider (one-stop shopping for all their IT needs) while you benefit from the additional revenue and improved customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n Keep in mind that adding security-focused services to your suite of MSP offerings isn\u2019t a walk in the park. Your team should be made up of technicians with years of experience in delivering core MSSP services as well as complementary security offerings such as monitoring and incident response. Some MSPs already offer MSSP-like services to their clients without realizing it. As such, all they need do is rebrand their identity and expand their resources to deliver a full suite of MSSP services to a larger client base.<\/p>\n On the other hand, traditional MSPs will have to bring onboard security analysts or cybersecurity consultants, set up SOCs, and invest in the technologies required for real-time monitoring of clients' IT infrastructure. Let\u2019s take a look at the three major ways you can transition to an MSSP.<\/p>\n If you provide IT infrastructure deployment\/maintenance, storage configuration, and network management services as an MSP, you can offer managed security services in these areas. To do this, you\u2019ll need to build your MSSP operations from the ground up and this involves<\/p>\n Purchasing the right tools<\/p>\n Some MSPs think that purchasing an MSSP tool and reselling them to clients is all it takes to become an MSSP. The transition isn\u2019t quite that easy because security isn\u2019t a product or just any other kind of managed IT service.<\/p>\n Although you must undertake extensive due diligence before choosing an MSSP tool to assist you on your journey towards offering managed security services, this is just the first step.<\/p>\n Acquire security skillsets<\/p>\n Aside from choosing the right tool for your client\u2019s unique business needs, your team must have the skills and expertise to properly configure the tool, continuously monitor logs, conduct threat analysis, identify anomalies, escalate issues<\/a>, remediate active threats, and execute the right responses to mitigate fallout in the event of a successful breach.<\/p>\n As such, you\u2019ll need to acquire new skill sets and knowledge...particularly in the areas of incident response and remediation, penetration testing, forensics, and threat mitigation.<\/p>\n Build a security operations center<\/p>\n As an MSSP, you\u2019ll also need to set up high-availability security operation centers to provide round-the-clock security of your clients\u2019 IT devices, systems, and infrastructure. Also known as a security analytics center (SAC), a SOC is a combination of people, processes, and technologies that handle the task of protecting clients\u2019 networks, data centers, servers, databases, applications, websites, endpoints, and other technologies.<\/p>\n Other resources you\u2019ll need include<\/p>\n Building an in-house security operations capability is a great way to offer MSSP services. However, it is time-consuming for MSPs that lack the skill sets, processes, and operational maturity required to provide effective managed security offerings. Buying an MSSP is a viable option for MSPs that don\u2019t want to take the time to build an in-house security operations environment from scratch.<\/p>\n Although it can be very costly to buy an MSSP that is operationally mature enough to complement MSP offerings, it\u2019s a good option for large, successful MSPs<\/a> or those with investors willing to cough up the cash.<\/p>\n An easy way to offer managed security offerings is by partnering with a well-established MSSP. Managed Security Services Providers focus on one thing, and one thing alone: Security.\u00a0 With this option, you don\u2019t need to come up with the capital outlay for building, running, and maintaining a SOC center and SIEM solution.<\/p>\n By partnering with a reliable MSSP company, you gain access to the experience, intellectual talent, enterprise-grade tools, and all the resources you need to provide managed security services to your client base.<\/p>\n However, care should be taken when choosing an MSSP to partner with. Partnering with an MSSP that requires you to redesign your business processes and replace technology investments is a no-no. Ensure you choose an MSSP that fits your environment and provides flexible options (not pre-built packages) that integrates your organization\u2019s offerings with the MSSP\u2019s team and processes.<\/p>\n
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<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nHow to Transition from MSP to MSSP<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Build an MSSP<\/h3>\n
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If you poorly deploy or configure a router, the fallout is limited to unstable connectivity. A misconfigured server means that your client may temporarily lose access to files. However, if you don\u2019t properly secure your client\u2019s IT infrastructure, they could lose everything and be legally liable for any repercussions.<\/q><\/p>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBuy an MSSP<\/h3>\n
Partner with an MSSP<\/h3>\n