Why Your MSP and MSSP Should Be the Same Company
Reviewed by Adrian Monges Rodriguez, Founder & CEO
An MSP manages IT services, while an MSSP provides managed security services. A business can use one provider for both, use separate providers, or combine outside support with an internal team. The right model depends on capabilities, accountability, security requirements, and cost.
In brief: A unified provider can simplify coordination and contracting. Separate providers can bring specialist expertise or independent oversight. Either model needs documented responsibilities, response authority, and a tested escalation process.
How do the models compare?
| Consideration | Unified MSP and MSSP | Separate providers |
|---|---|---|
| Coordination | May reduce handoffs between companies | Requires clear coordination between providers |
| Contracts | Often one agreement, with scope and exclusions | Separate agreements can allow specialist choices |
| Oversight | Ask about internal separation of duties and independent review | Can provide independent oversight if responsibilities are designed that way |
| Cost | Depends on scope, licensing and staffing | Depends on scope, overlap and coordination costs |
| Response | Confirm who can act and under what authority | Define who detects, approves, contains and restores |
A single contract does not eliminate all internal handoffs or guarantee faster response. Separate vendors can work effectively when their roles and escalation procedures are clear. Compare actual proposals rather than assuming either model is always cheaper.
Where do responsibilities overlap?
A security team may detect a compromised endpoint while an IT team manages the device and user account. Before an incident, document who reviews the alert, who can isolate the device or revoke access, who communicates with the business, and who restores service. Test these decisions in an exercise and update them when systems or providers change.
Also define who maintains backups, reviews access, applies patches, and produces evidence for any applicable compliance program. The customer remains responsible for its own obligations even when a provider handles part of the work.
What should you ask a provider?
- Which services, systems, hours, and response actions are included?
- Who handles security alerts after hours and what authority do they have?
- What response commitments and exclusions are in the agreement?
- How are backups protected and when was a restore last tested?
- What independent assurance or security testing can the provider share, and what is its scope?
- How are incidents escalated, documented, and handed over during onboarding or exit?
An independent SOC 2 report or penetration test can be useful evidence, but its scope and findings matter. Ask for available assurance and evaluate it against your own requirements.
How can a transition avoid gaps?
Inventory systems and access, document the existing provider's responsibilities, and agree on a cutover plan before ending coverage. Test backups, access, monitoring, and escalation during the transition. Our switching MSPs guide covers the handover process.
AdVran is an Anaheim-based MSP and MSSP offering managed IT and cybersecurity services. Ask for a proposal that defines the services and responsibilities for your environment.
Related reading
Spent years in physical security at Rapid Response Monitoring, first running large help desk and support operations, then training staff and helping keep contracts with major security companies on track. He now runs AdVran's support desk and manages its larger cybersecurity projects.
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