MSP vs MSSP
An MSP runs your technology; an MSSP watches it for attacks. The practical test is what each is accountable for when something breaks: an MSP is measured on uptime and tickets closed, an MSSP on threats detected and escalated. 71 of the 221 providers listed here do both under one contract.
Side by side
| MSP — Managed IT | MSSP — Managed Security | MDR | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core job | Keep technology working | Watch for attacks | Watch, then contain |
| Measured on | Uptime, tickets closed, response time | Threats detected and escalated | Time to contain an incident |
| Typical scope | Help desk, patching, backups, hardware | Log monitoring, alerting, reporting | Investigation, endpoint isolation, forensics |
| At 3am, they | Usually respond to outages only | Send an alert to your team | Act on your behalf |
| Buy it first if | Nobody manages your IT day to day | IT is handled but nobody watches security | An alert would otherwise sit unread |
| Providers here | 221 listed | 72 listed | 8 listed |
Providers offering both
These providers appear in both the managed IT and managed security comparisons. Buying both from one company is simpler to run; whether that outweighs having an independent party reviewing the environment depends on your size and who audits you.
EMPIST
Chicago, IL · Round-the-clock coverage
Net Friends
Durham, NC · Round-the-clock coverage
Petronella Technology Group
Raleigh, NC · Round-the-clock coverage
7tech
San Antonio, TX · Round-the-clock coverage
Centre Technologies, Inc.
Multiple offices · Round-the-clock coverage
Kraft Kennedy
Multiple offices · Round-the-clock coverage
AdRem Systems
Reston, VA · Round-the-clock coverage
B&L PC Solutions
Hauppauge, NY · Round-the-clock coverage
Bytagig
Clackamas, OR · Round-the-clock coverage
CISPOINT
Columbia, MD · Round-the-clock coverage
Corporate Technologies
Eden Prairie, MN · Round-the-clock coverage
Exigent Technologies
Multiple offices · Round-the-clock coverage
Integrated Network Concepts
Avon Lake, OH · Round-the-clock coverage
Internetwork Engineering
Charlotte, NC · Round-the-clock coverage
IP Services
Eugene, OR · Round-the-clock coverage
IT Acceleration
King of Prussia, PA · Round-the-clock coverage
MDL Technology
North Kansas City, MO · Round-the-clock coverage
Nexigen
Newport, KY · Round-the-clock coverage
PGH Networks
Pittsburgh, PA · Round-the-clock coverage
Proper Sky
Abington, PA · Round-the-clock coverage
SecureTech
San Antonio, TX · Round-the-clock coverage
Sigma Information Group
Austin, TX · Round-the-clock coverage
Solution Builders
Bloomington, MN · Round-the-clock coverage
TeknaByte
Indianapolis, IN · Round-the-clock coverage
Thriveon
Eden Prairie, MN · Round-the-clock coverage
Uprite Services, LLC
Multiple offices · Round-the-clock coverage
Upward Technology
Portland, OR · Round-the-clock coverage
Vertilocity
Bridgeville, PA · Round-the-clock coverage
Focus Technology
Boston, MA · Round-the-clock coverage
Accellis Technology Group
Cleveland, OH · Round-the-clock coverage
Amnet
Colorado Springs, CO
Applied Tech
Madison, WI · Round-the-clock coverage
AT-NET Services
Charlotte, NC · Round-the-clock coverage
Blue Light IT
Boca Raton, FL · Round-the-clock coverage
Catapult Tech Solutions
Indianapolis, IN · Round-the-clock coverage
Ceeva
Pittsburgh, PA
CompassMSP
Multiple offices · Round-the-clock coverage
Concept Technology
Nashville, TN · Round-the-clock coverage
CR-T
American Fork, UT · Round-the-clock coverage
Detroit IT
Birmingham, MI · Round-the-clock coverage
Diverse Tech Services
Indianapolis, IN · Round-the-clock coverage
DP Solutions
Columbia, MD · Round-the-clock coverage
Dynamic Computing
Seattle, WA
EasyIT
Dublin, OH · Round-the-clock coverage
Executech
South Jordan, UT · Round-the-clock coverage
Harbour Technology Consulting
Springboro, OH · Round-the-clock coverage
i.t.NOW
Pleasant Grove, UT · Round-the-clock coverage
Intrust IT
Cincinnati, OH · Round-the-clock coverage
ISNY
Multiple offices · Round-the-clock coverage
IT Solutions Consulting
Fort Washington, PA · Round-the-clock coverage
Kloud9 IT
Cleveland, OH
Kotori Technologies
Summerville, SC · Round-the-clock coverage
LEAP Managed IT
Indianapolis, IN · Round-the-clock coverage
Microtech
Fort Lauderdale, FL · Round-the-clock coverage
Mytech Partners
Multiple offices
NetWize
Salt Lake City, UT · Round-the-clock coverage
Network Security Associates
Las Vegas, NV
NexusTek
Greenwood Village, CO · Round-the-clock coverage
NSOCIT
Washington, DC · Round-the-clock coverage
Parachute
Multiple offices · Round-the-clock coverage
PC LAN Services
Milwaukee, WI · Round-the-clock coverage
Powerful IT Systems
Sussex, WI · Round-the-clock coverage
Right Hand Technology Group
Canonsburg, PA
Securafy
Independence, OH · Round-the-clock coverage
Sourcepass
Multiple offices · Round-the-clock coverage
Stasmayer
North Charleston, SC
SubIT
Miami, FL · Round-the-clock coverage
The Scarlett Group
Jacksonville, FL · Round-the-clock coverage
ThrottleNet
St. Louis, MO · Round-the-clock coverage
Vintage IT Services
Austin, TX · Round-the-clock coverage
XPERTECHS
Columbia, MD · Round-the-clock coverage
Common questions
Can one provider be both?
Yes, and many are — 71 of the providers listed here sell both. The question worth asking is whether the security side is a genuine staffed function or an add-on line item. Ask who reviews the alerts and on what schedule.
Is it a problem to buy both from the same company?
It is simpler and usually cheaper. The argument against is independence: the same team that configured the environment is also grading it. Some auditors and cyber insurers prefer separation. For most small businesses the simplicity wins; above roughly 200 staff the independence argument gets stronger.
Where does MDR fit?
MDR is the response half that an MSSP often lacks. If your concern is not "will someone notice" but "will someone act", compare MDR providers instead.
Which do we need first?
Almost always managed IT first. Security monitoring on top of an unmanaged, unpatched estate produces a great many alerts and very little safety. Fix the operational base, then add detection.
Related
Compare managed IT providers · Compare managed security providers · Compare MDR providers · Co-managed IT