MSP vs MSSP – what’s the difference?
‘Back in the day,’ a Managed Service Provider (MSP) typically focused only on general IT tasks, ensuring that IT systems were operational. A Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) specialized in cybersecurity, offering true security to ensure employees and systems are safe, secure, and compliant. TODAY, there’s significant overlap and many IT providers offer both IT and security services, and subsequently the terms are often used interchangeably.
**NOTE: Throughout this site we use the term “MSP,” but PCGiT is truly a hybrid MSP/MSSP, delivering both IT solution management and full cybersecurity services. **
Why you need an MSP/MSSP & how to select one
Ultimately, IT should support your workflows and improve your efficiency; it shouldn’t slow you down or devour your budget. Although it sounds simple, it’s a challenging feat. That’s where an MSP/MSSP comes in.
An MSP ensures IT technology works by setting up a network and applications to support your business’s goals. They keep IT running smoothly and create a security plan to protect you from cyber threats.
PCGiT leverages decades of experience to help our clients make the most of their IT environments. IT should be simple — we make sure it is.
Benefits of outsourcing or augmenting IT
If you’re looking to replace a current IT provider or simply strengthen and supplement your current IT team with a co-managed partner, an MSSP helps with both. Here are the top benefits of hiring an MSP:
USER ACCESS & CONTROL OF DATA >>
Controlling user permissions and file access and having the right policies in place are critical for protecting your data. A remote workforce makes this even more challenging.
An MSP helps your team access the technology it needs, while keeping your data safe. This includes:
- Remote access/VPN
- User policy and permissions
- Wireless
- Failover ISP
- Cloud
- Web content management
EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY & SUPPORT >>
Your team should have instant support so they can do their jobs and serve your clients. An MSP helps you optimize IT to keep your team productive.
- 24/7 end user help desk support
- Instant access to help in under 5 minutes
- Password resets, email issues, and application support
- Documentation
MORE TIME TO FOCUS ON YOUR BUSINESS >>
When an MSP focuses on your IT, you can focus on what you do best…running your business.
PCG understands that all businesses and IT requirements are different. We offer two levels of service, and customize our offerings so clients get the services and solutions they truly need. You focus on your business and let us handle the tech!
- Network optimization
- Cybersecurity services
- Risk assessment
- Cloud
- Projects
- Procurement
- vCIO/advisory council
- IT budgets and plans
IT AVAILABILITY & BUSINESS CONTINUITY >>
Business continuity can be very complex, but an MSP can help you understand the options and create a disaster recovery plan that meets your company and employee needs. PCG works with your team to establish a recovery time frame and safeguard network uptime.
To maintain uptime, we leverage years of combined expertise with IT disciplines, vendor liaison, and business application support. We proactively monitor your network and address issues before impact. We will:
- Verify network is properly designed and secure from threats
- Establish recovery time objectives (RTO) based on operating needs
- Detect vulnerabilities and automatically patch and remediate systems
- Discover and resolve problems before they impact the network or users
- Test cybersecurity measures and make plans to improve your security position
ENHANCED IT SECURITY TO PREVENT DATA LOSS >>
Cybersecurity attacks and ransomware are at an all-time high. One user mistake can let a bad actor wreak havoc on your network and lock down your data.
To identify vulnerabilities, we provide a risk assessment and cybersecurity score. Then, working with your team, we build a security plan to reduce threats and lower the risks of attack. Finally, we continuously monitor your network and assess new threats.
Our security experts and partners also help meet industry compliance requirements and provide:
- Security training
- Threat awareness training
- Endpoint detection and response
- External vulnerability scans
- SIEM/log management
- Multifactor authentication
- Password management
- Business continuity
ACCESS TO TECHNICAL TALENT TO OPTIMIZE IT >>
To run your business effectively, you need the right technology. In addition, the IT that supports your business gets more complicated by the day. An MSP provides you with the technical talent you need to optimize your IT environment.
PCG provides your business with a host of experts to help with all your IT needs including:
- Network infrastructure
- Servers & virtualization
- Line of Business (LOB) applications
- PCs, notebooks, and operating systems
- Firewalls, DNS, and remote access/VPN
- Wireless and wiring infrastructure
- Cybersecurity solutions
- Business continuity and storage
- Cloud (Azure)
- Remote workforce
- Mobile management/BYOD (bring your own device)
- M365 email and security
- IOT-Internet of Things
- Risk assessments
An MSP can handle all your IT needs, or they can support your internal IT team in specific areas such as 24/7 help desk services, server/PC monitoring and patch management, cybersecurity, and projects outside of your company’s skillset.
Ready to shop for an MSP, MSSP, or co-managed IT provider?
Click below or download the pdf for the key questions to ask a future – or your current! – IT partner.
QUESTIONS TO ASK an MSP/MSSP >>
Company Culture
- How many years have you been in business?
- How many employees are on your technical team?
- What’s the process for your employees’ technical training?
- How many managed clients do you have?
- What is your client retention rate?
- What is your company vision and mission?
Service Plans/Response
- What does your managed services plan include?
- Do you offer 24/7 help desk support?
- What is your normal response time for a help desk ticket request?
- What is your actual response time to mitigate critical network/client issues?
- Do you offer onsite support as part of your agreement?
Security/Cybersecurity
- Is managed security and cybersecurity included in all/most packages?
- Do you offer risk assessments to help with compliance and governance requirements?
- Do you design or help write policies (WISP, remote workforce, email/web usage)?
- Are any of your employee certified in the security space (CISSP, compliance, etc)?
Differentiators
- What differentiates your business from other MSPs?
- What is the average tenure of your employees?
- Do you offer a dedicated lead engineer for our business?
- Do you offer a dedicated client success manager?
- Do you have a standard new employee/PC setup blueprint in place?
- What is your client onboarding process like?
- How do you assess and document each client’s environment for management purposes?
IT Strategy and Planning
- How will you help our company with our IT strategy, budget, and roadmap (vCIO guidance)?
- What is the primary value you can bring to our business?
- Do you offer hardware as a service (HaaS)?
Business Continuity
- Do you offer disaster recovery as a service (DRaaS)?
- What is your DRaaS process? How will it impact our business?
- What solutions do you offer that guarantee Recovery Time and Point Objectives (RTO/RPO) for our data?
- How often do you test a client’s backups?
Microsoft
- Are you a Microsoft partner and do you get preferred support?
- Are you an MS Azure expert? Do you have experience migrating clients to the cloud?
- Do you offer Microsoft training to help our users be more efficient, productive, and aware of cybersecurity threats?
- Is your tech team certified with the necessary competencies?
- Do you have expertise in Microsoft 365 (SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, security)?
- Do you have expertise in VoIP, surveillance, or wireless?
Improve IT & protect data
We’ve been providing IT solutions and support to companies throughout New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts for decades. Our streamlined processes support your success, and we often customize our approach to accommodate a specific need.
Want to improve your IT and protect your data? Reach out today.
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