Cybersecurity remains a top concern for businesses of all sizes. In 2021, the average number of cyber-attacks and data breaches increased by 15.1% from the previous year, and this number is expected to continue to rise as social engineering and ransomware attacks grow more sophisticated.
Despite this unsettling reality, many businesses choose to operate without hiring professional IT staff or contracting outside help when it comes to managing their data and security safeguards.
It’s important to understand the differences between managed security services and managed IT services before making a decision about which one is right for your business.
What are managed services?
Managed services are a form of outsourcing where a third-party company, called a managed service provider (MSP) or managed service company (MSC), takes on the responsibility of managing many aspects of your IT environment, including technical support and system administration.
Managed services come in many different forms and can vary widely in terms of scope and cost. Most of them offer basic services, including:
- Remote monitoring and management
- Help desk support
- IT infrastructure management
- IT strategy services
- Cloud computing services
- Cybersecurity services
However, some MSPs specialize in providing advanced IT services, such as:
- Business VoIP
- Database management
- Microsoft Office 365 management
- IT staff resourcing
Those managed service providers that specialize in cybersecurity solutions and support are generally called managed security service providers (MSSP).
What are managed security services?
Gartner defines managed security services, or MSSPs, as third-party providers who offer IT security management and maintenance to the devices and systems of other businesses. Managed security services are often used to secure and protect data, networks, and systems against cyber-attacks and malicious threats. They are often coupled with safeguards and protocols, such as cybersecurity policies and procedures, incident response plans, data encryption, and more, to help reduce the risk of cyber threats and data breaches.
They offer services such as:
- Network incident response
- Employee security training
- Data breach response planning
- Data backup and disaster recovery
- Managed firewalls
- Intrusion detection systems
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solutions
- Compliance support
An MSSP can offer a wide range of services depending on the size, scope, and needs of the client. A small or medium-sized business (SMB) might only need basic IT security monitoring, while a larger organization might need a dedicated IT security team with 24/7 network monitoring and management.
MSPs are primarily focused on IT and administration
MSPs have become increasingly popular as technology becomes more important in every industry. Customers can take advantage of the MSP’s expertise in IT to achieve better efficiency and lower costs. They are also helpful when it comes to setting up and managing servers and networks.
Managed IT is designed to alleviate the difficulties of dealing with technology and your IT infrastructure by yourself. This can be particularly difficult and time-consuming for businesses with no in-house IT team; by simply outsourcing basic IT needs, you can ensure your systems are maintained for maximum uptime, while freeing up time and resources for your employees to focus on their own work.
MSSPs are focused on data security and risk mitigation
Managed security providers will only provide you with cybersecurity services and support, rather than a wide range of holistic IT services. Unlike traditional IT departments, which are generally focused on managing systems and networks, MSSPs are more concerned with risk management. This includes everything from threat assessment to ongoing monitoring and threat mitigation.
They are focused on improving the overall data security posture of their clients and helping them to implement a variety of best practices. They can also help their clients to implement policies and procedures that will help to reduce the risk of a data breach.
Which is better for your business?
For many businesses, the decision of whether to use managed services or managed security services is a difficult one. The answer is different for every business. But there are some factors that should be considered when making this decision:
- Do you keep sensitive information, e.g. financial records or banking details?
- Do you need to comply to strict regulations, e.g. HIPAA?
- The level of risk your business faces
However, if your business does not fall into any of these categories and you only need basic IT support, such as network monitoring, managed services will keep your infrastructure running smoothly.
In addition, managed service providers often have extensive experience with a range of technologies and IT solutions. This can make it easier for them to troubleshoot problems, whether they be technical or performance issues, as well as provide a broader range of IT support than MSSPs.
Get the right IT services from the experts
When outsourcing your IT needs, it’s important to choose the right type of service. Managed security services are designed to help businesses meet compliance requirements, while managed services are designed to support the day-to-day operations of your business and improve productivity and efficiency.
The IT experts at Technology Solutions can provide you with advanced cybersecurity services to protect your critical digital assets, as well as general IT support for your day-to-day operations. Talk to them today and discover how your business can increase its security against the ever-growing cyber threats.
I don’t think I understood. Managed security services or MSSPs don’t take care of the things that managed services do? Or do MSSPs do everything needed for a business to run smoothly from support and database management to cybersecurity?
No need to comply with any strict regulations but we need cybersecurity as we do have some sensitive information at hand. Which services do we need?