- IT infrastructure management
- Network monitoring
- Hardware and software support
- Data backup and recovery
- And more
- Threat detection
- Intrusion detection and prevention
- Firewall management
- Vulnerability assessments and security audits
- Security monitoring
- Incident response
- And more
- Advanced threat detection
- Continuous network monitoring
- Incident analysis and incident response
- Threat hunting
- Forensic analysis and investigation
- And more
Understanding MSPs
Managed service providers (MSPs) provide technology services to organizations, including general network and IT support, hardware and software maintenance, and infrastructure management. They also provide basic security solutions, like malware detection and threat monitoring. However, their scope doesn't extend to deeper security functions, such as vulnerability management, risk assessment, threat detection, and incident response.
Understanding MSSPs
On the other hand, managed security service providers (MSSPs) primarily focus on security services, providing constant monitoring, threat detection, incident response, and compliance management to ensure a robust defense against cyberthreats. While MSPs and MSSPs are both third-party organizations, MSPs typically work out of network operation centers (NOCs), whereas MSSPs establish security operation centers (SOCs).
Understanding MDR providers
Managed detection and response (MDR) is a subset within the MSSP domain. MDR's primary focus is threat detection and response, including malware detection, identifying unusual network activities, and detecting unauthorized access attempts. MDR teams analyze the situation, then provide remediation measures and recommendations to reduce the potential damage caused when a threat is detected.
In essence, while MSPs provide comprehensive IT management and support, MSSPs specialize in a wide range of security services solutions. MDR focuses on threat detection and incident response within the cybersecurity front.
What is the difference between MSPs, MSSPs, and MDR?
Here's a tabular representation of the differences between these categories.
| Aspect | MSP | MSSP | MDR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Specializes in general IT management and support services | Specializes in cybersecurity services | Specializes in threat detection and incident response |
| Services offered |
|
|
|
| Cybersecurity emphasis | Basic security services might be included but are not the primary focus | Mainly focused on cybersecurity solutions and services | Highly focused on proactive threat detection and rapid incident response |
| Expertise | IT management and support | Cybersecurity and specialized security tools | Cybersecurity with threat detection and incident response as the primary focus |
| Target audience | Organizations seeking overall IT management and support | Organizations looking for comprehensive cybersecurity solutions | Organizations concerned about advanced cyberthreats and rapid response |
| Approach to security | More reactive approach to security | Both proactive and reactive approaches to security | Highly proactive approach to identifying and mitigating threats |
| Security monitoring | Basic security monitoring might be included. | Offers continuous security monitoring | Intensive security monitoring and threat hunting for early detection |
| Incident Response | May not offer specialized incident response services | Offers incident response as part of the package | Specializes in incident response, with rapid action and remediation |
| Pricing | MSPs charge a recurring fee based on the services provided and the size of the organization. | MSSPs also charge a recurring fee based on the services provided and the size of the organization. | MDR services are typically more expensive than MSSP or MSP services due to their specialized focus and advanced capabilities. |
Each of these services is unique and has its own merits and demerits. The role that they play in the cybersecurity space is highly subjective. However, what if clients are looking for specific security services, like SIEM? What is the SIEM landscape like, and what is its scope?
What is SIEM?
Security incident and event management, or SIEM, is a solution that SOCs use to collect, analyze, and manage organizational security data from various sources to detect and respond to security incidents. SIEM effectively provides real-time analysis of the network security alerts generated by databases, servers, applications, and network hardware. A SIEM solution could be a data hub, acting as a central system for an
SIEM vs. an MSSP
The best way to look at an MSSP is as a hired security team for an organization, while a SIEM solution is a tool that can be used to monitor data, analyze threats, and generate security alerts. It’s possible and advisable for an organization to employ both. This is famously referred to as a hybrid SOC model.
For large organizations with internal security teams, a SIEM solution can suffice in meeting their security needs and empower analysts to identify and respond to threats. However, organizations that are large enough to have multiple data centers might need distributed versions of SIEM solutions; in this case, MSSP versions of SIEM solutions can be deployed in different centers to be monitored by an outsourced or internal team.
For smaller organizations with limited IT resources, an MSSP might be a better fit in terms of cost-effectiveness and give them a way to gain expert security oversight without building their own teams.
Organizations that want an extra layer of protection can consider an MDR solution or MDR service teams (which also happen to be a subset of MSSP offerings). This combines the data collection of SIEM with the expert analysis and response of an MSSP, offering a proactive approach to security threats.MDR vs. SIEM
MDR solutions, as mentioned above, do not serve as a substitute for a SIEM solution or an MSSP. Rather, they act as an additional layer that enhances visibility, expands coverage, and improves overall security posture. While a SIEM solution can alert an organization about its potential vulnerabilities, an MDR solution can actively identify vulnerabilities before they are exploited by malicious actors.
