TechKnowSurge
CompTIA Security+ 3.1 CompTIA Security+ 5.3
TechKnowSurge Catalog Interactives CSP, MSP or MSSP?
InteractiveSecurityFree

CSP, MSP or MSSP?

Cloud service provider, managed service provider, or managed security service provider? Sort each service.

⚑ Complete this interactive to capture a CTF flag worth 5 points.

About this interactive

A service provider is any company you work with to provide services for you, and three kinds come up again and again. A cloud service provider (CSP) offers computing services in the cloud: infrastructure as a service, platform as a service and software as a service. You consume what it sells, whether that is virtual machines by the hour or an office suite in a browser. A managed service provider (MSP) runs part of your IT for you, remotely, under a contract that sets out what you are responsible for and what it is. A small team might hire one to monitor systems after hours and call when something breaks, to run the help desk, or to manage backups. An MSP manages your systems wherever they are: on-premises, in colocation or in the cloud. A managed security service provider (MSSP) is an MSP that specializes in security: monitoring for attacks, managing firewalls and intrusion detection, scanning for vulnerabilities and responding to incidents. To sort a card, ask whether you are buying computing, someone to run your IT, or someone to run your security.

What you'll learn

Aligned to

CompTIA Security+
3.1 Compare and contrast security implications of different architecture models.
5.3 Explain the processes associated with third-party risk assessment and management.

Key terms

Managed Service Provider
MSP
A third-party company that remotely manages a customer's IT infrastructure or end-user systems. MSPs can introduce shared security risks; a compromised MSP can serve as a launchpad for attacks against all of its clients simultaneously.
Managed Security Service Provider
MSSP
Managed Security Service Provider is a third-party organization that provides outsourced monitoring, management, and response for security devices and systems on behalf of client organizations.
Security Operations Center
SOC
A centralized team and facility responsible for monitoring, detecting, and responding to security incidents.
Infrastructure as a Service
IaaS
A cloud service model that provides virtualized computing infrastructure over the internet.

Topics

Interactive Categorize

About TechKnowSurge

TechKnowSurge builds IT and cybersecurity professionals through hands-on, concept-first training built around real understanding — not memorization. Free interactive tools, structured programs, and 25+ years of real-world experience, all in one place.

Explore free tools and programs →