The business value of MSSPs

The increasing integration of electronic health records (EHRs), Internet of Things (IoT) medical devices, and telehealth platforms has created a richly interconnected ecosystem where vulnerabilities in one component can cascade across the system with potentially life-threatening consequences. For example, according to the National Audit Office, ransomware attacks like the WannaCry incident demonstrated how malware could cripple healthcare operations by locking out access to critical medical data. 

Managed security service providers (MSSPs) address these threats through continuous 24/7 monitoring, rapid detection of suspicious activities, and immediate incident response mechanisms. Their expertise allows for proactive threat hunting and vulnerability management, capabilities often unattainable for healthcare providers facing talent shortages and constrained budgets.

What Managed Security Service Providers really do for your business

Healthcare today runs on a web of systems. EHRs, telemedicine platforms, connected devices, and the staff who log in every hour of every day. Each piece adds value, but together they create a massive attack surface. As the Sage Choice study ‘Managing cybersecurity risk in healthcare settings’ notes, “Cybersecurity attacks have increased significantly over the past decade and healthcare now represents one of the most targeted sectors.” The patient information held in this ecosystem is prized for its “reliable and permanent personal information,” which makes it “an attractive target” since it cannot be simply reset like a password. 

The expansion of connected systems, particularly through the Internet of Things (IoT), has only deepened the challenge. In healthcare, IoT now includes “patient monitoring, diagnostics, and even robotic surgery devices,” a transformation that “increases the importance of agile and robust cybersecurity measures.”

There is also a cultural issue. Many clinical end users still see cybersecurity requirements as “disruptive to their workflows,” revealing the tension between securing systems and maintaining efficiency in patient care. Experts argue that “a progressive approach must involve collaboration between information technology, clinical, and administrative leaders,” ensuring security becomes a shared responsibility rather than an imposed barrier. 

MSSPs buy healthcare systems something priceless, time. Their monitoring can catch suspicious behavior before an attacker has the chance to do extensive damage. By spotting threats before they escalate, MSSPs dramatically shorten attacker dwell time, the window in which cybercriminals can silently harvest data or manipulate systems, protecting both patient data and the integrity of healthcare operations.

How MSSPs boost your cybersecurity to stop attacks before they start

MSSPs make use of tools like Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems, intrusion detection and prevention solutions, and endpoint detection and response (EDR) technologies. These tools pull data from logs, traffic flows, and device behaviors, then feed it into analytics designed to separate normal activity from signs of compromise. An Analysis of Operations Research study noted that in 2020 alone, Australia recorded 67,500 cybercrimes, representing a 13% year-over-year increase, with total losses amounting to AUD 33 billion. Globally, the cost of cybercrime is projected to hit $10.5 trillion by 2025. MSSPs help organizations fight back by reducing dwell time, the dangerous window when attackers remain hidden inside networks, often through stealthy and adaptive campaigns like ransomware, phishing, or advanced persistent threats.

Beyond passive monitoring, MSSP analysts scan networks for subtle indicators of compromise, leverage threat intelligence feeds, and analyze patterns that might predict the next move of attackers. The study notes that attacks are increasingly targeting people inside organizations with limited cybersecurity knowledge, which makes threat hunting especially valuable in industries like healthcare and finance, where human error is common. 

By drawing on global attack databases, sector-specific reports, and research communities, MSSPs stay ahead of both criminal groups and state-sponsored actors, who, in 2020, were seen working together with “greater tactical cooperation”.

Machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) add another defensive layer. They process massive streams of security data at speeds no human team could match, cutting down false positives while highlighting anomalies worth investigating. This defensive layer is important because employee behavior can frequently be a weak spot. 45% of workers reuse passwords, 26% consider public Wi-Fi safe, and 17% admit they are unsure about the risks of open networks. 

Unlocking compliance success through MSSP expertise

Many hospitals struggle internally with these multifaceted demands due to limited cybersecurity expertise or the sheer operational pressures of the healthcare environment. MSSPs become trusted advisors who decode the legalese, helping hospitals understand what is required, why it matters, and how to implement the safeguards systematically. This role is not unlike what researchers found when studying ACOs in the study ‘Factors That Distinguish High‐Performing Accountable Care Organizations in the Medicare Shared Savings Program’: “High‐performing ACOs distinguished themselves through sophisticated use of information systems, effective feedback, and embedded care coordinators”—all factors that parallel the clarity and structure MSSPs bring to security governance.

One of the most critical areas where MSSPs lend their expertise is in performing continuous risk assessments. These assessments are vital to uncover vulnerabilities within hospital systems, networks, medical devices, and even staff behaviors that could expose patient data to breaches. Much like the study concluded that “shorter interventions such as embedded care coordinators and timely feedback of performance data can improve performance”, MSSPs provide the short-cycle vigilance hospitals need to stay audit-ready and resilient in the face of evolving cyber threats.

Risk assessments in healthcare are often incomplete or inconsistently applied, leaving institutions exposed. MSSPs use a combination of automated scanning tools, comprehensive audits, and contextual knowledge of healthcare operations to conduct thorough evaluations tailored to each hospital’s unique environment. 

In the same way that physician leadership and collaboration with hospitals differentiated high- from low-performing ACOs, MSSPs’ leadership in shaping organizational awareness and accountability ensures that cybersecurity becomes a continuous, structured process rather than a box-checking exercise.

Factors to choose an MSSP that will deliver real results

• Look for MSSPs with proven expertise and experience in healthcare cybersecurity.
• Prioritize providers with relevant certifications such as HITRUST, SOC 2, or PCI DSS.
• Ensure the MSSP offers 24/7 monitoring and rapid incident response capabilities.
• Evaluate the comprehensiveness of their security tools, including threat detection and vulnerability management.
• Confirm the MSSP’s ability to integrate security solutions with existing compliance frameworks like HIPAA.
• Choose MSSPs with scalable services that can grow alongside your organization.
• Seek clear and transparent communication with regular security reporting and updates.
• Review their customer support, ensuring a dedicated team understands your environment.
• Check service level agreements (SLAs) for defined response times and performance guarantees.
• Ensure cost transparency to avoid hidden fees or unexpected charges.
• Assess the MSSP’s vendor risk management capabilities for third-party oversight.
• Verify data residency policies to comply with regional healthcare privacy laws.
• Request references from similar healthcare organizations to learn about real-world performance.
• Consider the MSSP’s overall security culture and commitment to ongoing employee training.
• Confirm that the MSSP provides proactive threat intelligence and continuous security improvement.

See also: HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide (2025 Update)

FAQs

What is a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP)?

A Managed Security Service Provider is a third-party organization that remotely monitors, manages, and responds to cybersecurity threats on behalf of businesses.

How do MSSPs help healthcare organizations protect patient data?

MSSPs implement continuous monitoring, threat detection, and compliance frameworks.

What types of cybersecurity services do MSSPs typically offer?

MSSPs provide services including vulnerability assessments, threat intelligence, endpoint security, incident response, and compliance management.