An MSP (Managed Service Provider) handles broad IT operations — helpdesk, infrastructure, cloud, backup. An MSSP (Managed Security Service Provider) specializes in cybersecurity — SOC operations, threat detection, incident response. Many organizations need both, often from one vendor.
The acronyms get used interchangeably, which is confusing. Here's the clean distinction:
Scope: Broad IT operations. Helpdesk, patch management, endpoint management, infrastructure, cloud, backup, networking, basic security tooling. The day-to-day "keep IT running" work.
Tooling: RMM (Kaseya, NinjaOne, ConnectWise), PSA (ticketing), basic EDR, M365 administration.
Pricing: Usually per-user managed services agreement, $100-$300/user/month.
Scope: Cybersecurity-specific operations. SOC monitoring, EDR/MDR/XDR management, threat hunting, incident response, vulnerability management, SIEM operation, compliance management.
Tooling: SIEM (Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, Sumo Logic), EDR (CrowdStrike, SentinelOne), threat intelligence, SOAR platforms.
Pricing: Either per-user security premium ($25-$80/user/month) on top of MSP, or standalone MSSP relationship for organizations with internal IT.
Modern MSPs increasingly include security capabilities (especially MDR services) because clients demand it. Many "MSPs" today are technically MSP+MSSP hybrids. Maverick falls in this category — we deliver MSP scope with strong MSSP capabilities included in our higher tiers (Watch Plus and Watch Pro both include EDR and 24/7 monitoring; Watch Pro adds MDR with SOC, threat hunting, and compliance work).
For most SMBs (under 500 employees), an MSP with strong security capabilities is simpler and cheaper than two separate vendors. Communication is faster, incident response is more coordinated, and there's no finger-pointing about who owns what when something breaks.
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