When it comes to managing IT in regulated industries like healthcare, finance, and government, outsourcing is common, but not all providers are created equal. Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) both play important roles, yet their focus and capabilities differ in critical ways. Understanding that difference can help organizations make the right decision when security and compliance are on the line.

What MSPs Do: General IT Support & Management

MSPs are designed to keep your IT environment running smoothly. Their primary mission is to optimize operations, improve efficiency, and reduce downtime across systems.

Typical MSP services include:

  • Network and server management
  • Cloud services management
  • Software updates and patch management
  • Help desk support
  • IT consulting and infrastructure optimization

For many organizations, an MSP provides essential day-to-day IT support. However, in regulated industries where compliance and data protection are non-negotiable, traditional MSPs may not go far enough.

What MSSPs Do: Security & Compliance at the Core

MSSPs bring a different lens to IT management, security first. They operate from Security Operations Centers (SOCs) and provide round-the-clock monitoring and threat detection.

Typical MSSP services include:

  • 24/7 security monitoring and threat detection
  • Incident response and management
  • Vulnerability assessments and penetration testing
  • Compliance management and reporting
  • Advanced threat hunting and cybersecurity consulting

For organizations bound by HIPAA, PCI DSS, CMMC, or other strict compliance standards, MSSPs provide the expertise to not just maintain IT, but to secure it and prove compliance through audits and reporting.

DataTel’s Approach: Security-First MSP/MSSP

At DataTel, we are both an MSP and MSSP. We have the technical and security talent to create the strategy, as well as the talent to execute. That’s why we’ve built a security-first and business outcome oriented model that blends the best of both worlds:

  • Internal security staff who review every solution through a security lens.
  • Proactive vulnerability management, we don’t just identify risks, we remediate them.
  • Comprehensive security analysis and strategic advisory to meet regulatory requirements

Our goal is to meet clients where they are today while preparing them for the evolving threat and regulatory landscape.

Why Compliance Demands More

For regulated industries, compliance frameworks aren’t optional—they’re critical to business survival. MSSPs like DataTel ensure organizations align with. Our growth is coming from these markets:

  • Healthcare: HIPAA regulations protecting patient data
  • Finance: PCI DSS compliance for secure financial transactions
  • Government Contracts: CMMC requirements for working with federal entities
  • Mid Market: NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) and NIST 800-171 standards provide a structured approach to managing cybersecurity risks. While many mid-sized organizations don’t have full-time compliance staff, regulators and enterprise partners increasingly expect alignment with NIST. An MSSP can map policies, controls, and security practices to NIST to both reduce risk and prove compliance during vendor audits.

Beyond compliance checkboxes, we deliver:

  • Tailored risk assessments based on industry threats
  • Governance frameworks aligned with regulations
  • Regular audits and detailed reporting

Proactive Protection vs. Reactive Support

The difference between MSP and MSSP comes down to approach. An MSP keeps IT running. An MSSP keeps IT secure. At DataTel we do both.

Proactive MSSP measures include:

  • Continuous monitoring for industry-specific threats
  • Rapid incident response to reduce breach impact
  • Regular patching and updates to close vulnerabilities
  • Specialized expertise in laws, regulations, and threat landscapes

For organizations in highly regulated spaces, the proactive model isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Final Word

While MSPs provide valuable IT support, MSSPs offer the specialized cybersecurity and compliance expertise that regulated industries demand. At DataTel, our hybrid MSP/MSSP model ensures clients get both reliable IT operations and the security-first protection required in today’s regulatory landscape.

If your organization is in a regulated industry, it’s time to ask: Is your IT provider just managing your systems—or are they truly securing them?