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Managed Security Service Provider

What is Managed Security Service Provider?

A third-party organization that provides outsourced monitoring and management of security devices and systems, delivering 24/7 security operations.

Information Security

What the standards actually require on managed security service provider

Requirements naming managed security service provider across 5 standards, quoted from the control text.

Where managed security service providers deliver security services, management remains responsible for the security of the institution's systems and information and oversees the effectiveness of the services provided.

ffiec-it-examination-handbook::IS-II.C.20(b) · II.C.20(b) Managed Security Service Providers (Information Security) →

Where an owner/operator has delegated to, or shares responsibility with, a Managed Security Service Provider for specific measures in its Cybersecurity Implementation Plan, the owner/operator retains sole responsibility under the directive for compliance with...

tsa-pipeline-cybersecurity-directives::SD02-II.A.3 · SD02 II.A.3 Managed Security Service Providers: owner/operator keeps sole responsibility →
NIS2 Directive3 controls

The Directive scopes this deliberately at direct suppliers and service providers, which makes the first artefact an inventory of who those parties are and which of them touch the network and information systems behind the service.

nis2-directive::Art.21.2.d · Supply chain security, covering the relationship with each direct supplier and service provider →

Article 2 supplies definitions, in alignment with the NIS2 Directive ((EU) 2022/2555) and the Cybersecurity Act ((EU) 2019/881): 'cybersecurity threat', 'significant cybersecurity incident', 'large-scale cybersecurity incident', 'National Cyber Hub', 'Cross-Bo...

CSA-Art.2 · Definitions (Article 2) →
PTES1 control

A signed permission-to-test document is in place before testing starts: it states the scope, acknowledges awareness of the testers' activities, records that testing can cause instability and that due care will be taken, and allocates liability for any instabil...

ptes::PTES-1.3 · Obtain written permission to test and address legal and third-party consent →

Questions people ask about managed security service provider

What is Managed Security Service Provider?
A third-party organization that provides outsourced monitoring and management of security devices and systems, delivering 24/7 security operations.
Why is Managed Security Service Provider important for compliance?
Managed Security Service Provider is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding managed security service provider helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and demonstrate due diligence during audits. Our compliance platform maps 1,016 frameworks with 316K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Managed Security Service Provider?
Managed Security Service Provider appears in the requirement text of FFIEC IT Examination Handbook, TSA Pipeline Cybersecurity Directives, NIS2 Directive, EU Cyber Solidarity Act (Regulation (EU) 2025/38), PTES. Across these standards we have identified 8 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Managed Security Service Provider?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how managed security service provider applies across different standards and regulations. Our implementation guides provide step-by-step guidance, and the compliance platform offers AI-powered analysis of how this concept maps across 1,016 frameworks.

See how Managed Security Service Provider applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 1,016 frameworks with 316K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.

Written and maintained by Gerard Blokdyk, The Art of Service.