From MSP to MSSP – Is it that simple?

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are addressing the changing needs of IT and their customers by becoming Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs).  How easy is this transition, and what should both the MSPs and their client base keep in mind?

There are a multitude of tools out there that claim by purchasing them, the MSP is now an MSSP.  But as this article warned, just as buying a hammer doesn’t make you a master carpenter, simply purchasing an MSSP tool to resell does NOT make you an MSSP.  You will need to configure the tool properly, provide ongoing tuning, threat analysis, communication with your clients about what you are seeing, and assist them with response if something is detected. These are very different skill sets than a typical MSP who focuses on implementing and supporting technology.

The MSSP tool is also critical.  Does the tool you are considering support multi-tenancy, or will you need to sign in to a different portal to view the alerts for each client?  Is the upfront cost of the tool cost-prohibitive as you start building an MSSP practice and need time to ramp up your pipeline?  On the other hand, can the tool grow with you and support your larger clients – providing customized rule sets, change control, portal access, and other functions that are critical for them?

What about the other aspects that clients expect from an MSSP, such as assistance with meeting compliance requirements and providing true incident response?  How will you handle these needs?

We designed our Reseller program will all of this in mind.  We provide access to our proprietary ProVision MSSP solution that includes a cloud-based SIEM tool that can be custom tuned by client with full multi-tenant access for both MSPs and the customer.  Our SOC team covers the 24/7/365 monitoring and analysis, investigating and ruling out false positives as well as communicating with MSPs and the end clients both as needed and on a scheduled monthly or quarterly review call.  And we have a full staff of cybersecurity assessors, compliance auditors, and incident responders at the ready.

If you are an MSP looking to make this shift, check out our Reseller Program overview.

 

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