Ensure Company Size And Vertical Focus Is Similar To Other Customers

Most MSSPs tend to be better in certain fields than others since there are commonalities within certain verticals or industries around how servers are organized, where data is stored and what kinds of security breaches are most common, according to Hal Lonas, chief technology officer of SMB and consumer for OpenText.

Lonas recommended that customers look for “birds of a feather,” speaking with peers at industry functions or professional symposiums to see who others in the industry are using and what they think of them. Although MSSPs often claim to be industry-agnostic, Lonas said there’s typically some specialization around what they most commonly do.

Bigger customers typically have a bigger IT footprint and therefore might get more attention from an MSSP since they’re paying more money, Lonas said. Smaller customers therefore must ensure they don’t get lost in the shuffle and that their MSSP is providing them with the same level of access and attention as their larger counterparts if an event occurs or if they need help or guidance, according to Lonas.