The managed security services market will exceed $50 billion by 2028. And here's what's exciting for MSPs: the biggest growth isn't coming from enterprise MSSPs—it's coming from MSPs like you who are adding security capabilities.

I've helped build two successful MSSPs and advised dozens more. Here's everything I wish someone had told me when I started.

Why 2026 Is the Perfect Time

Three forces are converging to create a massive opportunity:

1. SMB Security Spending Is Exploding

Small and medium businesses increased security budgets by 47% in 2025. They're not just buying antivirus anymore—they want MDR, compliance support, and vCISO services.

2. The Talent Shortage Favors Service Providers

There are 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs globally. SMBs can't hire their own security teams, so they need partners. That's you.

3. Technology Has Finally Caught Up

Five years ago, offering enterprise-grade security services required a massive investment. Today, platforms like Fortress let you spin up a full MSSP practice with minimal capital.

The MSSP Service Stack

Here's what a modern MSSP practice should include:

Core Services (Must Have)

• Managed Detection & Response (MDR): 24/7 monitoring, threat detection, incident response
• Endpoint Protection: Next-gen AV, EDR capabilities
• Email Security: Anti-phishing, anti-spam, encryption
• Vulnerability Management: Continuous scanning, patch management

Growth Services (High Margin)

• vCISO: Strategic security leadership for clients without internal CISOs
• Compliance Management: HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOC 2, CMMC support
• Security Awareness Training: Phishing simulations, employee education
• Third-Party Risk Management: Vendor security assessments

Premium Services (Differentiation)

• Incident Response Retainer: Guaranteed response times for security events
• Penetration Testing: Periodic security assessments
• Dark Web Monitoring: Credential and data leak detection

Building Your SOC (Without Breaking the Bank)

The traditional MSSP model required a 24/7 SOC with expensive analysts. That's changing fast.

The Hybrid SOC Model

Smart MSSPs are building hybrid operations:

• Tier 1: AI-powered automation handles 80% of alerts
• Tier 2: Your team handles escalations during business hours
• Tier 3: Partner with a 24/7 SOC provider for after-hours coverage

This model lets you offer 24/7 protection without 24/7 staffing costs.

Pricing That Actually Works

MSSP pricing is more art than science, but here are benchmarks that work:

Per-Endpoint Pricing

• Basic MDR: $8-15/endpoint/month
• Full MSSP stack: $25-50/endpoint/month
• Premium with vCISO: $75-150/endpoint/month

Per-User Pricing

• Essential security: $30-50/user/month
• Comprehensive protection: $75-125/user/month
• Enterprise grade: $150-300/user/month

Pro tip: Always price per user, not per device. Users are easier to count and harder to argue about.

The First 90 Days

Here's your action plan:

Days 1-30: Foundation

• Select your technology platform
• Design your three service tiers
• Create pricing and contracts
• Train your team on tools and processes

Days 31-60: Pilot

• Migrate 3-5 existing clients to new security stack
• Document processes and playbooks
• Refine pricing based on actual costs
• Gather testimonials and case studies

Days 61-90: Scale

• Launch marketing campaign
• Present security upgrades to entire client base
• Build referral partnerships
• Hire or train additional security staff

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Starting too complex: Launch with 3 tiers, not 10
• Underpricing: Premium positioning beats race to bottom
• Ignoring compliance: It's your best upsell opportunity
• Manual everything: Automation is non-negotiable
• Forgetting existing clients: They're your easiest sales

Your Next Step

Building an MSSP practice isn't just about adding services—it's about transforming your business model. The MSPs who make this transition successfully will dominate the next decade.

The question isn't whether to build MSSP capabilities. It's how fast you can get there.

Want help accelerating your MSSP journey? Let's talk.