The IT world has changed drastically over the years, and businesses often find themselves navigating the complex landscape of Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs). While they both play essential roles in maintaining and securing IT infrastructure, understanding their differences and benefits is key to help your business thrive. Today, we’re looking at what they are, how they differ, and why you need one (or both) to support your operations.
What is an MSP?
Managed Service Providers (MSPs) offer a broad range of services to handle the day-to-day management of your IT infrastructure, including network management, data backup, cloud services, hardware maintenance, and IT helpdesk support. They become part of your team and act as an outsourced IT department, ensuring your business’ technology runs smoothly and efficiently. They’re particularly beneficial for small to medium sized businesses (SMBs) who don’t have the resources to maintain an in-house team.
How Do MSPs Benefit Your Business?
When you work with an MSP, you receive consistent support and services for a fixed monthly fee. This reduces downtime with a proactive approach and simplifies budgeting. MSP services also scale with your business, ensuring they can support your evolution and growth. You can count on stability, reliability, and peace of mind.
What is an MSSP?
While MSPs excel at managing IT operations, they aren’t always equipped to handle the complex world of cyber security. This includes ransomware attacks and phishing scams, which are now becoming more intricate with the help of AI. MSPs can offer basic security services, like antivirus management or firewall monitoring, but that’s often as far as it goes. MSSPs provide robust cyber security tools and comprehensive solutions, such as threat monitoring, incident response, and vulnerability management. They provide advanced solutions, and are essential for businesses looking to protect their data and systems against cyber threats. A MSSP is often an expert in Cyber GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance), enabling them to use industry-recognised frameworks to assist businesses in identifying and implementing the most effective strategies for mitigating risk
How Do MSSPs Benefit Your Business?
You can rely on MSSPs to monitor your systems around the clock, look for signs of suspicious activities, and respond to potential breaches in real time. They also support you to meet regulatory requirements, which is especially important if you handle sensitive data (including customer data).
The Cost of Neglecting Security
Technology is critical to run your business, but today cyber security is also non-negotiable as threats evolve at an alarming rate. As AI-driven attacks and social engineering tactics become the norm, navigating these risks is only going to become more difficult. In Australia, the average cost of a data breach has reached a staggering 4.26 million. Beyond the immediate costs, recovery can span months or years, and reputational damage can be devastating. For most businesses, a single breach could be enough to close their doors for good.
Businesses that don’t focus on security are being left behind, and an example of this is the cyber breach that targeted the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research in Perth. This ransomware attack was conducted by the Medusa group, who claim to have stolen over four terabytes of data. This underscores the importance of working with an MSSP and implementing proactive and robust cyber security measures.
Do You Need an MSP, MSSP, or Both?
Working with an MSP and an MSSP can provide the best of both worlds, delivering a comprehensive solution for your business that ensures IT infrastructure is well managed and secure. Some IT providers, like Ever Nimble (that’s us), even combine these offerings to improve convenience and efficiency for clients. This combined approach forms the foundation of our offering, alongside a commitment to providing affordable and accessible cyber security solutions for SMBs who often struggle with the cost and complexity of these measures.
Choosing the Right Provider
Remember, not all IT providers are made equal – so don’t pick the first name that pops up on Google. It’s about finding a partner who understands your business, unique needs, and can support your goals. When considering your options, look for a provider who has experience working with your industry, supports scalability, and has a good reputation (look for stellar client testimonials and Google reviews).
For Perth-based SMBs, Ever Nimble is an ideal choice (if we say so ourselves). When you work with our award-winning and local team, you benefit from hands-on support, global expertise, and industry-leading solutions thanks to partnerships with top vendors like Fortinet, CrowdStrike, and Cisco. We can also support you to enhance cyber resilience and stay ahead with a compliance focus, which is essential as the cyber security and regulatory landscapes continue to change. This includes the SMB1001 framework (which has been designed for SMBs) and the Essential Eight. The SMB1001 can act as a stepping stone to ISO27001, and ensures you’re well equipped to protect data and systems.
How Ever Nimble Can Help
As an MSP and MSSP, Ever Nimble ensures you’ve got the right solutions and can focus on what matters most – your business. If you want to learn more about our managed IT and cyber security services, get in touch with us today at connect@evernimble.com.
