Most small and mid-size companies don’t have a CISO or a full security team. But cyber risks don’t scale down just because your headcount is smaller.
That’s where an MSCP comes in — a Managed Security & Compliance Provider: a partner that delivers ongoing security + compliance as a service. Think of it as the practical middle ground between “do nothing” and “build a department.”
What an MSCP actually does (in plain English)
- Finds your weak spots — regular checks of domains, cloud apps, devices, and misconfigurations.
- Watches your perimeter — continuous monitoring with clear alerts (not noise).
- Keeps your basics tight — access reviews, backup checks, patch cadence, MFA coverage.
- Handles “paperwork that matters” — security policies, vendor questionnaires, audit prep, client trust docs.
- Preps you for incidents — roles, contacts, runbooks, and drills so you’re not improvising under stress.
- Translates risk for leaders — short monthly summaries for the CEO/board: what’s changed and what to fix first.
In short: tools + process + people you don’t have to hire.
“But we already have IT people.” Great — here’s how MSCP complements them
- IT keeps the lights on. MSCP keeps the doors locked.
- IT manages accounts, devices, and rollouts. MSCP brings security routines and outside expertise.
- IT closes tickets. MSCP sets priorities based on business risk and helps prove it to clients and auditors.
7 signals you’re ready for an MSCP
- You’re filling out more security questionnaires to win deals.
- Clients ask about MFA, backups, monitoring, and incident plans.
- You use 10+ SaaS tools, and no one sees the full picture.
- You had a near miss (phishing, outage, leaked credentials).
- The team shares passwords or keeps ex-employee accounts “for later.”
- Backups exist, but restores were never tested.
- Your security effort spikes only before audits.
What “good” looks like: MSCP deliverables you should expect
- 30/60/90-day plan with milestones.
- Asset & SaaS inventory with owners and risk tags.
- MFA coverage report and access cleanup plan.
- Backup & restore test (evidence, not promises).
- Simple policies (1–2 pages each) that people will actually follow.
- Incident Basics: Contacts, Responsibilities, and Decision Tree.
- Monthly executive summary: top risks, trends, next actions.
- Quarterly tabletop (1-hour simulation): “What if it happens tomorrow?”
How to choose an MSCP (5 questions that separate good from risky)
- Scope: “Exactly what do you monitor and how often do you check our perimeter?”
- Proof: “Show anonymized examples of reports, runbooks, and incident summaries.”
- Time to value: “What happens in the first 30/60/90 days?”
- Ownership: “Who fixes what? What’s on us vs. on you?” (Ask for a RACI.)
- Continuity: “If we stop, how do we export our data and evidence?”
Red flags: tool-centric sales (“we’ll install X and you’re safe”), vague SLAs, no executive reports, no restore tests, no clear offboarding.
Pricing models (so expectations are realistic)
- Tiered subscription by headcount or number of assets (most common).
- Add-ons for penetration testing, phishing simulations, or incident response.
- Short projects to fix “security debt” first, then a steady monthly cadence.
Tip: A healthy MSCP cost is far lower than a full-time security hire. Still, it delivers repeatable routines your team wouldn’t maintain alone.
Your role vs. their role (simple split)
- You: pick owners for domains/apps, approve changes, follow the basics (MFA, updates), report incidents early.
- MSCP: watch, measure, coach, escalate, and keep cadence (monthly/quarterly) — so security doesn’t “fade.”
What the first 90 days should look like
Days 1–30: quick wins — MFA gaps, ex-employee access, backup/restore test, shadow SaaS visibility.
Days 31–60: simple policies, asset & vendor inventories, phishing drill, incident contacts.
Days 61–90: executive reporting rhythm, quarterly tabletop, and a living roadmap for improvements.
Final thought
You don’t need a CISO to take security seriously.
You need cadence, clarity, and accountability — delivered in a way a 20–200 person company can actually live with.
That’s the job of an MSCP: keep you sale-ready, audit-ready, and incident-ready — without building a security department from scratch.
