A third-party company that remotely manages a customer’s information technology (IT) infrastructure and end-user systems. Instead of a business reacting to problems as they arise (the “break-fix” model), an MSP takes a proactive approach to maintaining, updating, and securing technology environments.
Most MSPs operate on a subscription-based model, providing defined sets of services under a Service Level Agreement (SLA).
Core Service Offerings
While every MSP has a different stack, most provide a combination of the following:
- Network Management: Monitoring and maintaining routers, switches, and firewalls.
- Cybersecurity: Implementation of antivirus, EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response), and threat monitoring.
- Cloud Services: Managing environments in AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
- Backup & Disaster Recovery (BDR): Ensuring data is backed up and can be restored quickly after a failure or cyberattack.
- Help Desk Support: Providing remote assistance for end-users experiencing technical issues.
Why Businesses Use MSPs
- Predictable Costs: Converting unpredictable IT repair bills into a fixed monthly operating expense (OpEx).
- Expertise on Tap: Small and medium-sized businesses gain access to high-level engineers they couldn’t afford to hire full-time.
- Proactive Maintenance: Catching a failing hard drive or a security vulnerability before it leads to downtime.
- Scalability: MSPs can easily add or remove licenses and support as a company grows or shrinks.
MSP vs. MSSP
It is important to distinguish between a standard MSP and a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP). While a standard MSP focuses on administration and keeping the lights on, an MSSP focuses exclusively on high-level security monitoring, incident response, and compliance.
The “Co-Managed” Trend: Many modern enterprises use Co-Managed IT, where an MSP works alongside an internal IT team to handle mundane tasks, freeing up the internal team for high-level strategic projects.
Additional Acronyms for MSP
- MSP - Managing Successful Programmes
