“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” This African Proverb has many applications in life and business; and for small businesses, its application can be seen through their growing network of employees, contractors, and technology partners. Specifically in the area of technology, businesses may seek support from a Managed Service Provider or Managed Security Service Provider. Each plays a specific role in supporting a business.
Managed Service Provider (MSP)
An MSP supports a broad range of IT operations and infrastructure needs. They may help with activities such as:
- Technology or help desk support
- Cloud migration
- User management
- Process improvements
- Software management
- Data backups
- Networking support
- Team training
An MSP is primarily focused on technology administration. They will assist with configuring new laptops or granting access to specific systems of software the individual will need to access based on their role and anticipated responsibilities. And, when an employee terms, whether voluntarily or for cause, the MSP will be able to remove their access to business systems and software and collect any business-owned technology. They provide a valuable service that can help bridge the gap for small businesses that may not be in a position to hire a full in-house IT team.
They typically provide a basic or baseline level of cybersecurity support, installing and maintaining anti-virus software on business machines. They lack deep expertise in this area, however, which is why many business owners seek alternative options, such as a Managed Security Service Provider.
Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP)
Unlike an MSP, an MSSP is an expert in network security and cybersecurity. They provide critical support to:
- Minimize risk associated with cyberattack
- Ensure systems are maintained to protect against malicious activities
- Monitor the business’ infrastructure 24/7
- Respond to any network intrusions or suspicious activities
- Provide security awareness training
- Manage access and identity management protocols
An MSSP is hyper-focused on security. They are keenly aware of the latest cybersecurity threats and the safeguards needed to ensure protection at all levels. An MSSP leverages a variety of tools and strategies to proactively defend the business against cyberattacks and breaches. For example, they may use penetration testing, network security monitoring, vulnerability scanning, and more.
In addition, an MSSP is typically well versed in privacy laws and compliance requirements, allowing them to further support businesses in the protection of sensitive data.
GainSide Security Support
While an MSP supports a broad range of IT operations and technical administration, they lack the security expertise needed to ensure employees, systems, and networks remain safe and secure. At GainSide, we offer comprehensive security support that spans variety of essential security protocols:
- Managed firewall: Gainside manages the firewall to detect and block threats in real-time and send alerts regarding suspicious activity.
- Intrusion detection: GainSide protects all devices and systems and ensures they are not used by bad actors to harm other systems inside or outside the organization.
- Virtual private network (VPN): GainSide safeguards the business network and manages VPN access to authorized users only.
- Patch Management: GainSide applies firmware and software updates to improve functionality, close security vulnerabilities, and optimize performance.
- Detection and response: GainSide monitors computers for viruses and addresses any suspicious or malicious activities before it can infect the computer.
- Management of Google Suite or Microsoft 365: GainSide manages business application suites, including email, shared calendars, document storage, and more.
- Public hosted cloud: GainSide manages user access to cloud resources, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” And, if you want to go safely, go with GainSide.
