← All guides Guide

Choosing & working with an MSSP

The managed security market is full of overlapping acronyms. This guide cuts through them so you can tell what you actually need and what you are buying.

MDR, MSSP, SIEM, EDR, SOC — the terms blur together, and vendors rarely define them the same way. Choosing well starts with understanding what each one really delivers and where the lines are between them.

The articles here compare the models head to head, weigh building in-house against outsourcing, set realistic expectations on cost, and give you the specific questions to ask a provider before you sign — so the decision is informed, not sold to you.

In this guide

11 articles

Managed Security

Five signs it's time to bring in an MSSP

Wondering whether managed security is worth it for your business? These five signs usually mean the answer is yes.

Read article
Managed Security

MSSP vs MSP: What's the Difference, and Which Does Your Business Need?

MSSP vs MSP — what's the difference? A plain-language comparison to help you decide which your business needs, or whether you need both.

Read article
Managed Security

MDR vs MSSP: What's the Difference, and Which Should You Buy?

MDR vs MSSP in plain language — what each delivers, where they overlap, and how to tell which one your Canadian business actually needs.

Read article
Managed Security

MDR vs SIEM: Which Actually Detects and Stops Threats?

MDR vs SIEM — a platform you operate versus an outcome you buy. What each does, the hidden effort, and which fits a lean Canadian team.

Read article
Managed Security

Why Antivirus Isn't Enough Anymore: MDR vs Traditional AV

MDR vs antivirus: why traditional AV no longer stops modern attacks, and what managed detection and response adds that antivirus can't.

Read article
Managed Security

EDR vs MDR: Do You Need the Tool, the Service, or Both?

EDR vs MDR — one is software, the other is a managed service built on top of it. Here's the difference and how Canadian SMBs should choose.

Read article
Managed Security

In-House Security Team vs an MSSP: An Honest Cost Comparison

Should you build an in-house security team or hire an MSSP? An honest comparison of cost, coverage, and capability for Canadian SMBs.

Read article
Managed Security

10 Questions to Ask Before You Sign With an MSSP

Choosing a managed security provider? Ask these 10 questions before you sign with an MSSP to be sure you get real protection, not just a logo.

Read article
Managed Security

How Much Does Managed Security Cost for a Canadian SMB?

How much does managed security cost in Canada? An honest look at MSSP pricing models for small and mid-sized businesses and what drives the price.

Read article
Managed Security

How Much Should a Small Business Spend on Cybersecurity?

How much should a small business spend on cybersecurity? A practical way to set a security budget based on real risk instead of guesswork.

Read article
Threats

Dark Web Monitoring: Does Your Business Actually Need It?

Dark web monitoring promises to alert you when your data leaks. Here's what it really does, its limits, and whether it's worth it for a small business.

Read article

Want this handled for you?

Our Managed Detection & Response service puts everything in this guide into practice for Canadian organizations — fully managed.

Explore Managed Detection & Response →