What Is a Managed Security Service?

Managed security service (MSS) is various cybersecurity solutions and support, including managing and monitoring intrusion detection systems and firewalls as well as performing vulnerability and penetration assessments as well as audits monitoring the management of patches and upgrades and helping to set up protocols and rules that to reduce the risk of a data breach. MSS providers offer cybersecurity expertise as well as assistance with managed security service compliance with regulations such as HIPAA, PCI DSS and ISO.

Premium MSS solutions offer technologies like security information and events management (SIEM) cloud access security broker and container security. A majority of the top MSSPs offer 24/7 monitoring from their security operations centers and threat intelligence to enhance context, and proactive threat hunts.

MSS can also help clients prioritize vulnerabilities and understand the impact on business operations such as availability and performance. This helps clients avoid costly cyberattacks and improve their overall security posture.

In addition to providing cybersecurity solutions, many of the top MSSPs provide a full array of managed IT services, such as remote support, network monitoring and security policy creation. They provide a centralized dashboard that lets them view all the devices and applications of their clients. They also provide backup and recovery services to safeguard data if an incident occurs. They may also help with the protection of data and governance using tools like encryption and data loss prevention.