A Simple Guide To Providing Managed Security Services

So you're an MSP looking to expand your services. Perhaps you're beginning a new managed services company and want to focus on security right away - in which case, and you'd be a managed security services provider or MSSP. In either case, providing managed security services will necessitate making the correct choices in terms of tools, processes, staff, and price. This short article will give you a high-level overview of what you'll need to know, as well as links to other resources that go further into the issues discussed below.

What Are Managed Security Services, and How Do They Work? 

Security-as-a-Service (SECaaS), managed security services, and Service Desk Services are various terms for a business model in which corporations outsource their IT security operations to a security provider. Managed security services minimize the need for businesses to maintain in-house security personnel and software and the necessity to stay current on the latest security risks. 

Moving from MSP to MSSP:

Suppose you already run an MSP firm that offers other sorts of managed services such as IT Managed Services or Vulnerability Management Services. In that case, you can take a few steps to add managed security services to your menu of services, thus turning yourself into an MSSP and an MSP, which are as follow: 

The most simple — but also the most time-consuming — approach is to start from scratch with an MSSP operation. This would necessitate the acquisition of the numerous software tools required to provide managed security services. You'll almost certainly need to engage people to aid with the managed security services. You may also need to upgrade your expertise and the skillsets of existing employees to ensure that you are conscious of and can respond to modern security threats. 

Another option is to buy an established MSSP company. This is usually expensive. However, if you're a larger MSP with a well-established business of your own and the cash to buy another one, purchasing a successful MSSP is a simple way to expand your array of services to include SECaaS. 

Partnering with an MSSP is a third possibility. This method does not necessitate significant capital investments, and it yet gives you the tools and experience you need to provide SECaaS to your customers. However, you should ensure that the MSSP you choose is well-equipped to work alongside your existing MSP organization. A partnership with others that requires you to retool your business or shift your focus to a new vertical is undoubtedly a bad idea.