If you run a business in Australia, someone probably looks after your IT. But who looks after your security? Many business owners assume they are the same thing. They are not.
In this guide, we break down the MSP vs MSSP question in plain English. We also cover two newer options, cyber advisory and Cybersecurity as a Service (CSaaS). You will learn the pros and cons of each, which suits your business size, and why the smartest organisations often use more than one.
What is an MSP?
A Managed Service Provider (MSP) is your outsourced IT department. They keep your technology running day to day. Think hardware supply, helpdesk support, email issues, slow computers, printers, networks and software updates.
Most MSPs also bundle in security tools. These often include antivirus, firewalls, patching, remote monitoring (RMM) and managed detection and response (MDR).
Pros:
- One provider for all your everyday IT needs
- Fast response to user problems
- Predictable monthly pricing
- Handles hardware, licensing and vendor management
Cons:
- Security is a side offering, not the core focus
- Heavily reliant on vendor tools rather than security expertise
- Reactive by nature, driven by support tickets
- Limited time and skills for proactive security work
What is an MSSP?
A Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) focuses purely on security operations. They run security monitoring, manage alerts, detect threats and respond to incidents. Many operate a Security Operations Centre (SOC) that watches your environment around the clock.
Pros:
- Security is their entire business
- 24/7 monitoring and incident response
- Trained analysts review alerts, not just software
- Far deeper threat detection than a standard MSP
Cons:
- Does not handle day to day IT support
- Can be costly for very small businesses
- Some focus on monitoring only, without strategy or training
What is cyber advisory?
Cyber advisory (or security consulting) is strategic guidance. Advisors assess your risks, audit your environment, run penetration testing, and help you meet frameworks like the Essential Eight, SMB1001, NIST or ISO27001. Some offer CISO as a Service, giving you executive level security leadership without a full time hire.
Pros:
- Independent, expert view of your real risk
- Builds a long term security roadmap
- Helps you achieve compliance and certification
- Cost effective access to senior expertise
Cons:
- Advice still needs someone to implement it
- Not designed for daily IT support
- Value depends on acting on the recommendations
What is Cybersecurity as a Service (CSaaS)?
CSaaS bundles security services into one ongoing subscription. Instead of buying audits, monitoring and training separately, you get a complete security program. This usually includes risk assessments, vulnerability assessments, monitoring, cyber awareness training, phishing simulations and incident response.
Pros:
- Complete security coverage for a fixed monthly cost
- Combines strategy, monitoring, testing and training
- Scales as your business grows
- Enterprise grade protection at SMB friendly pricing
Cons:
- Quality varies between providers
- Still works best alongside a good IT partner
- Requires genuine engagement from your team
Which option suits your business size?
Small businesses (under 50 staff): An MSP for daily IT, plus CSaaS or a cyber advisor for security. A security assessment and SMB1001 certification is a practical starting point. Our SMB1001 certification guide explains the process.
Medium businesses (50 to 250 staff): An MSP or internal IT team, plus CSaaS with monitoring, regular testing and a CISO as a Service arrangement. An Essential Eight assessment helps benchmark your maturity.
Large businesses (250+ staff): Internal IT, an MSSP for 24/7 monitoring, and cyber advisory for governance, compliance and board reporting.
Why your MSP alone will not keep you secure
Here is something we say with confidence, because our founder ran an MSP for 18 years. MSPs are reactive, not proactive. It is not because they do not care. It is because their day is consumed by support tickets. Printing problems, email issues, slow PCs and network dramas always jump the queue.
Most MSPs rely entirely on their security tooling, platforms like Kaseya, ConnectWise, NinjaOne, N-able and CrowdStrike. The tools are useful. But tools only catch what they are configured to catch. In busy helpdesks, the alerts these tools generate often go unreviewed for days, if at all.
There is also a knowledge gap. MSP technicians learn security through hands on experience. Cybersecurity specialists hold dedicated certifications. Our team at Sentry Cyber includes professionals certified as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Penetration Tester (eCPPT), Certified Malware Analysis Professional (eCMAP) and Certified Cyber Security Technician (CCT). This training matters. You cannot find vulnerabilities you do not know exist, especially in the cloud, where most MSP tooling has limited visibility.
Finally, MSPs rarely provide cyber awareness training or phishing simulations. Yet over 90% of successful cyber incidents start with a phishing email. Your people are the most targeted part of your business. Training them is one of the highest value security investments you can make. We cover this in our 2026 cybersecurity awareness training guide.
The supply chain risk: when your MSP becomes the way in
There is a bigger problem that few businesses consider. Criminals actively target MSPs. Break into one MSP and you gain a door into every one of their clients. That could be hundreds of businesses from a single breach.
This is not theoretical. Research commissioned by N-able found that 90% of MSPs suffered a successful cyber attack within an 18 month period. And it happens here in Australia. In 2025, Sydney based managed service provider Vertel confirmed a ransomware attack by the Space Bears group, with client data claimed stolen.
If your MSP holds your admin passwords, remote access tools and cloud management rights, their security posture is your security posture.
Top tips to reduce your risk of being compromised via your MSP
- Turn off Google Workspace/M365 reseller access. If your MSP is your Google Workspace partner, they may have standing access to your Admin console. To review it, sign in to admin.google.com as a super administrator, open the Menu, go to Account, then Reseller management, and switch Reseller access off. Changes can take up to 24 hours. You can re-enable it temporarily when support is needed. Our Google Workspace security team can review this and other admin settings for you.
- Disable anytime remote access in their RMM tool. Configure the remote access software so a staff member must approve each session before your MSP connects to a device.
- Share credentials securely. Never email or text passwords to your MSP. Use a password manager with secure sharing, so access can be granted and revoked properly.
- Ask about their admin practices. Your MSP should use least privilege and just in time access. A technician creating a new email address does not need super admin rights to your whole environment.
- Hold adequate cyber insurance. Make sure your policy covers incidents that originate from a third party provider.
- Achieve a cybersecurity framework certification. Frameworks like SMB1001 or the Essential Eight force good practices around access control, backups and incident response. Our compliance and certification team can recommend the right fit.
The best of both worlds: MSP plus security specialist
The good news is you do not have to choose. The strongest model we see is a partnership.
At Sentry Cyber, many of our clients keep their MSP for day to day operations, such as supplying hardware and fixing PC, email and network issues. We look after the security layer. That includes monitoring and responding to alerts, security audits, risk assessments and penetration testing.
Once we understand your vulnerabilities, we build a strategic cybersecurity roadmap, typically running 12 to 24 months. The roadmap works towards compliance with a framework such as the Essential Eight, SMB1001, NIST or ISO27001. We prioritise the high risk findings for urgent remediation. Routine fixes often go to the MSP helpdesk, while our team handles anything needing deeper security expertise. Everyone plays to their strengths, and you get genuine defence in depth.
Ready to find out where you really stand?
Cybersecurity is best left to the specialists. Your MSP keeps the lights on. A dedicated security partner keeps the doors locked.
Get in touch with Sentry Cyber for a chat about your cyber needs. We can perform a risk assessment that includes a supply chain threat assessment of your current MSP, so you know exactly how much risk you are carrying and how to reduce it. Book your free discovery call today.
FAQ
What is the difference between an MSP and an MSSP?
An MSP manages your everyday IT, such as helpdesk, hardware and networks. An MSSP focuses purely on security, including threat monitoring, alert response and incident management. Many businesses use both.
Is the security included in my MSP package enough?
Usually not on its own. MSP security relies heavily on automated tools, and busy helpdesks often miss alerts. Independent audits, penetration testing, awareness training and a security roadmap fill the gaps.
What is Cybersecurity as a Service (CSaaS)?
CSaaS bundles security services like monitoring, assessments, training and incident response into one monthly subscription. It gives SMBs access to enterprise grade security without hiring an internal team.
Can my MSP and a cybersecurity company work together?
Yes, and it is the model we recommend. The MSP handles daily IT support while the security specialist manages monitoring, audits, testing and the security roadmap. High risk fixes are shared based on the expertise required.
How do I know if my MSP puts me at risk?
Ask how they secure their own systems, how they manage admin access to yours, and whether they use least privilege. A supply chain threat assessment from an independent security firm will give you a clear answer.