Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the challenges MSPs face when it comes to security. It’s something I’ve wrestled with personally—coming from an MSSP background and stepping into the MSP world, I saw firsthand how difficult it is to merge the two disciplines. On the surface, IT management and cybersecurity seem like they should naturally fit together, but in reality, they require completely different mindsets, priorities, and investments.
As I’ve watched MSPs try to build security offerings from scratch, I’ve seen the hurdles they encounter—finding the right talent, keeping up with a rapidly evolving threat landscape, and managing the significant costs of a full-fledged security practice. On the flip side, I’ve also seen the power of partnerships, where an MSP leverages an MSSP’s expertise to deliver top-tier security without stretching themselves too thin.
So, that’s what I want to explore here. Should MSPs take on security themselves, or is partnering with an MSSP the more intelligent move? Based on my experience leading security companies, running SOCs, and navigating these challenges firsthand, the MSSP model is the better approach. Let’s break down why.
The Challenge of Merging Two Worlds
Having worked in both MSSP and MSP environments, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to merge these two distinct worlds. Security and IT management may seem like natural partners, but in reality, their cultures, priorities, and operating models are vastly different.
In an MSSP, everything revolves around threat detection, rapid response, and staying ahead of attackers. The mindset is highly proactive—constantly analyzing logs, fine-tuning defenses, and reacting to incidents 24/7. MSPs, on the other hand, are built around stability, uptime, and efficiency. Their teams focus on keeping IT environments running smoothly and minimizing disruptions.
When an MSP tries to build out a security practice internally, it often faces a culture clash. The security team needs constant investment, specialized training, and the ability to make quick decisions based on risk—not just efficiency. But in many MSPs, security ends up playing second fiddle to core IT services, creating gaps in protection and leaving clients more vulnerable than they realize.
Security is a Whole Different Game
MSSPs are built for security—plain and simple. Their teams live and breathe cybersecurity, constantly tracking new threats, staying ahead of regulations, and using the best security tools out there. MSPs, on the other hand, specialize in IT infrastructure and keeping businesses running smoothly. Security requires a different mindset—one that’s always on, 24/7, ready to detect and respond to threats in real time.
MSPs who try to build security services internally often find themselves stretched too thin. Managing IT is already a big job—adding security on top of that can lead to gaps in coverage, slower response times, and increased risks for their clients.
Our leadership team at DotStar has seen both sides of this equation. We’ve built security practices within MSPs and led successful security-focused companies and Security Operations Centers (SOCs). And here’s what they’ve learned: while an MSP can grow its security services, it’s a tough road. Significant challenges are finding and keeping security talent, staying ahead of evolving threats, and scaling efficiently. Partnering with an MSSP is often the more thoughtful, more scalable choice. DotStar has helped countless MSPs navigate this space, ensuring they deliver world-class security without overwhelming their teams.
The Role of DevOps, Automation, and AI in Modern SOCs
Over the past few years, one of the most significant shifts in cybersecurity is the increasing reliance on DevOps skill sets within security operations. In the past, security teams relied heavily on alerts and manual response processes, but that approach isn’t scalable. A modern SOC can’t afford to drown in a flood of alarms and an unmanageable ticket load—it needs automation, integration, and AI-driven decision-making to operate effectively.
Security teams today require expertise in:
- Development and scripting to create automation workflows that streamline threat detection and response.
- Infrastructure as Code (IaC) to deploy and manage security tools at scale.
- AI and machine learning to filter out noise, prioritize real threats and reduce manual intervention.
- Security orchestration and automation (SOAR) to connect disparate tools and automate repetitive tasks.
Many MSPs don’t have this expertise internally because DevOps and security automation are specialized disciplines. MSSPs, on the other hand, have entire teams dedicated to improving security operations through technology and process automation. By partnering with an MSSP, MSPs can provide their clients with security services that are scalable, efficient, and able to keep pace with modern threats—without needing to build and maintain these skill sets in-house.
Costs and Scalability: The Hidden Challenges
Building an internal security practice isn’t just challenging—it’s expensive. A serious security operation requires the following:
- Hiring and retaining top-tier security professionals (who are both expensive and in high demand)
- Investing in advanced security tools and platforms
- Ongoing training and certifications to stay ahead of evolving threats
- Running a 24/7 SOC with rapid incident response capabilities
- Developing automation and AI-driven solutions to keep operations scalable
For many MSPs, these costs add up quickly, and scaling security services over time makes it more challenging. An MSSP has already made these investments, allowing MSPs to offer high-quality security services without the enormous upfront and ongoing expenses.
Keeping Up with the Threat Landscape
Cyber threats evolve every day. Hackers constantly find new ways to exploit systems, and staying ahead of them requires relentless research, innovation, and adaptation. MSSPs dedicate themselves to this fight, continually improving defense strategies and ensuring compliance with ever-changing regulations. MSPs trying to handle security in-house often struggle to keep up, leaving their clients more vulnerable than they realize.
By working with an MSSP, MSPs can offer cutting-edge security without having to chase every new threat themselves. It’s a win-win: MSPs stay focused on IT, while their MSSP partner ensures clients get the best security possible.
Building Trust and Retaining Clients
Clients expect their MSP to handle IT, but security is now just as important—if not more so. When an MSP teams up with an MSSP, they can deliver enterprise-level protection, making their clients feel safer and more confident in their services. This helps with customer retention and can be a big selling point for attracting new business.
Instead of seeing MSSPs as competition, MSPs should view them as strategic partners. A strong MSSP relationship enhances an MSP’s offerings, strengthens client trust, and helps them stand out in an increasingly crowded market.
The Bottom Line
MSPs are great at managing IT infrastructure, optimizing networks, and ensuring business continuity. But cybersecurity is a different beast. The risks are too high to take a halfway approach. Partnering with an MSSP allows MSPs to deliver top-notch security without losing focus on their core strengths.
By leveraging an MSSP’s deep expertise—including its proficiency in DevOps, automation, and AI—, MSPs can improve client security outcomes, increase efficiency, and stay competitive in a world where cybersecurity is more critical than ever. Ultimately, it’s not about competition—it’s about collaboration. And when MSPs and MSSPs work together, everyone wins.
By Rob Frickel – DotStar
