MSSP vs MSP: What's the Difference?
Many businesses don't realize they have a gap between their IT support and their cybersecurity protection. Understanding the difference between an MSP and an MSSP is the first step to closing that gap.
Direct Answer
An MSP (Managed Service Provider) manages your IT infrastructure — devices, servers, software, helpdesk support, and uptime monitoring.
An MSSP (Managed Security Service Provider) focuses specifically on cybersecurity — threat detection, SOC monitoring, incident response, and security hardening.
Why It Matters
| Capability | MSP | MSSP |
|---|---|---|
| IT helpdesk & support | ✓ | — |
| 24/7 SOC monitoring | — | ✓ |
| Threat detection & response | — | ✓ |
| Email security | Partial | ✓ |
| EDR endpoint protection | Partial | ✓ |
⚠️ Risks If Ignored
- ▸Breaches go undetected for weeks or months (avg detection time is 197 days)
- ▸Ransomware encrypts entire networks before anyone notices
- ▸Cyber insurance claims denied due to lack of security controls
How Advanced Networks Solves This
- ✓One vendor, one team, one bill
- ✓24/7 SOC monitoring via Blackpoint Cyber
- ✓Proofpoint email security and phishing protection
- ✓EDR on every managed endpoint
- ✓Incident response and containment
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
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