With the explosion of cloud and digital technology, IT management and security have become a significant challenge. Every piece of equipment, from computers to software to network gear to office equipment, must be managed effectively to avoid costly disruptions and ensure business continuity. For small and midsize businesses (SMBs), the challenge is even greater, as they have fewer resources—both financial and staff-wise—to manage and secure the equipment and systems they use.
Businesses of all sizes are also acutely aware of the importance of cybersecurity. Global cyberattacks increased by 38% in 2022, compared to 2021 and it is predicted to keep climbing as social engineering and ransomware attacks become more and more advanced.
Managed services and managed security services are two of the most popular services available, but what’s the difference between them? Both services offer unique advantages, and it is important to understand the differences between them to determine which one is best for your organization.
What are managed services?
Managed service providers (MSPs) are outsourced businesses that take care of the entire lifecycle of an organization’s equipment, including procurement, maintenance, and disposal. Just like a car needs routine maintenance and repairs, the same applies to the IT equipment that powers a business. When the time comes to replace old computer equipment or upgrade to new models, a managed services provider can manage the entire process, ensuring that the transition goes smoothly.
Managed services are offered in many different forms and vary in range of cost and scope. Most of them offer basic services, including:
- Remote monitoring and management
- Help desk support
- IT infrastructure management
- IT strategy
- Cloud migration
- IT procurement
- Database management
- Microsoft 365 solutions and migrations
- IT staff resourcing
- Cybersecurity services
Managed service providers who have expertise in cybersecurity services and assistance are typically referred to as managed security service providers (MSSP).
What are managed security services?
With the growing complexity of cyber threats and the growing number of security controls, it has become difficult to keep track of all the activities that are required to effectively manage security risks. This is where managed security services come into the picture. Managed services help organizations address the specific security concerns of their business. These concerns may vary from business sector to sector, and so, managed security services will be customized accordingly, which helps you to meet regulatory requirements and avoid the financial costs associated with cybersecurity breaches. MSSPs can also help businesses to assess the effectiveness of their security program and invest in security solutions and resources as needed.
Managed security service providers (MSSPs) offer an outsourced added layer of security for your data and network infrastructure. Unlike managed services, which manage your IT assets, managed security services focus on protecting your assets and data through various security controls, such as:
- Threat hunting and detection
- Network security monitoring
- Employee security awareness training
- Data breach response planning
- Data backup and disaster recovery
- Managed firewalls
- Intrusion detection systems
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solutions
- Compliance support
The type and amount of services provided by a managed security service provider (MSSP) can vary depending on the size, range, and requirements of the customer. A small or medium-sized business (SMB) may only require basic IT security surveillance, while a larger company might need a specialized IT security team with round-the-clock network monitoring and control.
MSPs focus on IT management and administration
As technology becomes more of a factor in all sectors of business, the utilization of managed service providers (MSPs) has grown in popularity. Customers can benefit from the MSP’s specialist knowledge of IT to make their operations more efficient and less expensive. Additionally, MSPs are of great help when it comes to setting up and administering servers and networks.
Managed IT alleviates the stress of handling technology and your IT network on your own. This can be especially burdensome and time-consuming for companies without an internal IT group; by outsourcing basic IT requirements, you can make sure your systems are running optimally while giving your staff additional time and assets to work on their tasks.
If your organization is growing quickly, a managed services provider can help you avoid costly mistakes. IT projects are notorious for overruns, delays, and cost overruns. A managed services provider can help you manage your IT projects by providing ongoing oversight and management.
MSSPs focus on data security and risk mitigation
Unlike an IT department, which concentrates on taking care of networks and systems, managed security providers (MSSPs) specialize in safeguarding against risk. This involves evaluating risk, observing and analyzing activities, and handling any potential hazards. MSSPs offer cybersecurity services and support instead of a wider selection of IT services.
Their priority is to ensure the safety of their customers’ information and equip them with the best methods for doing so. Additionally, they assist their clients in setting up protocols and rules that can reduce the chances of a data security incident.
Managed services vs managed security - which is better?
It can be a challenging choice to figure out whether to go with managed services or managed security services for a lot of companies. What works for one won’t necessarily be the same for another.
However, there are things that should be taken into account when making this call.
- Does your business handle or store sensitive information, such as financial records, customer details, health information, etc?
- Is your business in an industry sector that needs to comply with specific regulations, such as The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) or The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?
- Has your business undertaken a risk assessment and determined the level of risk faced?
For those businesses that do not fit into any of the categories mentioned and only require IT support to keep their IT environment running efficiently, managed services could be the answer.
Moreover, managed service providers typically have a wide experience with a variety of technologies and IT solutions. This makes it simpler for them to identify and address any issues, technical or otherwise, as well as offer more comprehensive IT support than MSSPs.
Businesses that do have those concerns are likely to consider the services of an MSSP as a necessity, to improve overall security posture and ensure that data and business information are never at risk of a cyber breach.
Get the right IT services from the experts
When deciding to outsource IT services, it is essential to select the appropriate type of service. Managed security services are intended to assist companies in satisfying regulatory regulations, while managed services are meant to back up the everyday functioning of the business and boost performance and effectiveness.
ION247’s highly experienced IT professionals offer both managed IT and managed security services to ensure your essential digital resources are kept safe, in addition to providing regular IT assistance for your everyday tasks. Contact ION247 today and find out how your enterprise can reinforce its security against the constantly rising cyber risks and maintain seamless IT operations.
