Whether you’re a large enterprise or a smaller IT business looking to add value to your customers or introduce new functions across business segments, MSPs, MSSPs, and VARs are three types of third-party companies that can assist in your growth journey.
Companies of varying sizes can’t always hire their way into new capabilities or build IT infrastructure on their own. As organizations adopt AI, cloud platforms, and complex cybersecurity tools, many rely on specialized third-party providers to fill operational and security gaps.
An MSP manages a company’s broader IT operations, while an MSSP specializes in cybersecurity. A VAR primarily sells and implements technology products, often adding configuration, integration, training, or support.
The right choice depends on whether the organization primarily needs ongoing IT management, security expertise, or help selecting and deploying technology.
What are MSPs, VARs, and MSSPs?
A managed service provider (MSP) generally provides organizations with a broad range of IT services to help manage and optimize their IT infrastructure and operations. Among these services are network management, cloud administration, patch management, help desk support, IT consulting, and, increasingly, AI-enabled automation and deployment.
Managed security service providers (MSSPs) offer specialized cybersecurity services to protect an organization from cyber threats. Among the typical offered services are threat monitoring, managed detection and response (MDR), firewall management, endpoint protection, vulnerability management, penetration testing, and AI-assisted threat detection.
Value-added resellers (VARs), meanwhile, will focus on selling and implementing hardware and software solutions. They will customize these solutions to meet specific business needs and are often experts in specific technologies.
Key differences between MSPs, VARs, and MSSPs
Although their roles can overlap, MSPs, MSSPs, and VARs each serve distinct purposes. Here’s a quick comparison of their key differences:
| Provider | Primary role | How they work with customers | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSP | Provides a broad range of IT services to keep systems operational | Typically works under ongoing or multi-year managed services contracts | Organizations that need IT management, support, and operational expertise |
| MSSP | Delivers specialized cybersecurity services to protect systems, users, and data | Provides continuous security monitoring, threat management, and security strategy development | Organizations looking to strengthen cybersecurity, improve compliance, and reduce cyber risk |
| VAR | Sells and implements hardware and software solutions with added services | Usually operates on a transactional basis or through short-term implementation engagements | Organizations purchasing new hardware, software, or cloud solutions that require deployment and customization |
The value of working with an MSP
A managed service provider, or MSP, is an outsourced third-party company that takes on the ongoing, day-to-day responsibilities, monitoring, and maintenance of a range of tasks and functions for another company (their customer), usually through technical support to fix services or through subscription services. They allow organizations to focus on improving their services without worrying about extended system downtimes or service interruptions.
In getting started with an MSP, communication typically begins with an assessment to help determine the current state of the organization’s environment.
MSPs can handle complex, time-consuming, or repetitive tasks involved in managing IT infrastructure or end-user systems. In addition to working in IT segments, some MSPs focus on specific vertical markets, including legal, financial services, healthcare, or manufacturing.
The responsibilities that MSPs can typically perform include:
- Managing IT infrastructure and cloud environments
- Offering technical support to staff
- Supporting cybersecurity operations and security tools
- Managing user identities and access
- Automating routine IT operations with AI-powered tools
- Offering compliance and risk management
Enhancing security posture with MSSPs
Similarly, managed security services providers (MSSPs) offer outsourced services to businesses. What sets them apart from MSPs is their specialization in security services that protect organizations’ IT infrastructure.
MSSPs are great third-party vendors to explore as they can help organizations reduce the burden on IT teams, free up time for other operations, enhance internal security capabilities, mitigate security risks, and safeguard digital assets.
Their focus is on monitoring and management, but they can also handle system upgrades, changes, and modifications, as well as threat intelligence and best security practices.
Common services that MSSPs can provide include:
- Managed firewall services
- Managed detection and response (MDR)
- Vulnerability scanning
- Endpoint detection and response (EDR)
- Threat intelligence
- Virtual private network (VPN) management
Additionally, many MSSPs operate 24/7 security operations centers (SOCs) that combine human analysts with AI-assisted detection and automation to identify and respond to threats more quickly.
Adding to your business with VARs
Lastly, value-added resellers are companies that resell products and services by adding value beyond the original purchase, customizing third-party products, and bundling them with additional offerings.
These enhancements to products and services could also mean providing additional hardware, installation services, or troubleshooting. These resellers can effectively create an application for a particular hardware platform and sell the combination as a turnkey service or tool.
Among the key attributes of a VAR are:
- Enhancing products or services from manufacturers to better align with customer requirements.
- Offering a comprehensive one-stop solution by bundling the product with additional services like installation, training, and ongoing support.
- Possessing expertise and skills to provide customers with guidance and assistance throughout the product lifecycle.
- Acting as an intermediary between manufacturers and end-users, simplifying the procurement process and offering a more tailored, customized solution.
- Prioritizing the unique needs of their customers to ensure delivery of a product or service that effectively addresses specific challenges.
- Contributing to the entire value chain by both distributing products and enhancing their utility through supplementary services.
A key benefit of working with a VAR is their ability to identify potential costs and risks in forgoing a new product by retaining an existing one. If licensing is involved, a VAR can also assess the number of licenses required and provide timely software renewals and add-ons to existing orders at prorated amounts so that the software can scale with the client.
Bottom line: Choose the provider that matches your primary need
MSPs, MSSPs, and VARs can all help organizations close technology and expertise gaps, but they serve different primary purposes. An MSP is typically the best fit for ongoing IT management and support, while an MSSP is better suited to organizations that need specialized cybersecurity monitoring, threat response, and risk reduction. A VAR is generally the right choice when the priority is selecting, purchasing, customizing, and implementing new technology.
These models increasingly overlap, so organizations should look beyond provider labels and evaluate the specific services, expertise, contract structure, and outcomes each company offers. The best choice is the provider whose capabilities most closely align with the organization’s operational, security, and technology procurement needs.
This article was originally written by Jordan Smith in 2025 and updated by Luis Millares in July 2026.