A managed IT provider (MSP) handles operational IT — helpdesk, monitoring, patch management, backup, and infrastructure. A managed security services provider (MSSP) focuses specifically on cybersecurity: threat detection, SIEM monitoring, vulnerability management, incident response, and compliance program management. Many businesses need both. Some providers, including Stratify IT, operate as both MSP and MSSP, delivering operational IT and security services under a single engagement rather than requiring two separate vendor relationships.

Most managed IT agreements cover continuous monitoring, helpdesk support, patch management, backup oversight, and endpoint security under a flat monthly fee. Commonly excluded items include hardware procurement, major infrastructure projects, and compliance-specific engagements like CMMC assessments or HIPAA audits — these are typically scoped and priced separately. Understanding what triggers an out-of-scope charge before signing prevents billing surprises mid-contract.

This varies by provider and directly affects service quality and response consistency. Some MSPs staff their own engineers full-time; others white-label support through third-party helpdesks, meaning the person handling your ticket has no familiarity with your environment. Asking whether tier-1 and tier-2 support is handled internally or subcontracted — and whether the same engineers cover your account consistently — is one of the more important due-diligence questions before signing.

Yes, and for many organizations it is the preferred structure. Separating IT operations from compliance consulting creates coordination gaps — the compliance assessor identifies a control gap, but the IT team is accountable to a different vendor for remediation. Providers that deliver both managed IT and compliance services can close gaps directly rather than writing recommendations for another team to act on. This is especially relevant for defense contractors and healthcare organizations managing both CMMC and HIPAA obligations simultaneously.

A compliance gap assessment measures an organization's current security posture against a specific framework — CMMC 2.0, HIPAA Security Rule, SOC 2, or NIST SP 800-171. Assessors review policies, interview staff, test configurations, and evaluate documented controls. The output is a prioritized Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) mapping each gap to a specific control requirement with remediation steps and timelines. The POA&M becomes the working document for all remediation activity that follows.

SLA breach remedies vary widely by contract. Some agreements include service credits — a partial refund or billing reduction for missed response or resolution targets. Others include no financial remedy, making the SLA a benchmark without teeth. Before signing, confirm whether breach credits are automatic or must be claimed, what the calculation method is, and whether repeated SLA failures constitute grounds for early termination without penalty. A well-structured SLA protects both parties.

Managed IT agreements are typically structured as 12-month contracts, enabling proper staffing, tooling, and SLA planning. Compliance engagements — CMMC gap assessments, HIPAA risk assessments, SOC 2 readiness reviews — generally carry no ongoing contract requirement and are priced per deliverable. Ongoing compliance program management, such as quarterly policy reviews or annual reassessments, is typically offered as a separate retainer once the initial engagement is complete.

Break-fix IT means paying per incident when something fails. A managed IT provider monitors your environment continuously, addresses issues proactively, and operates under a monthly SLA covering endpoints, networks, and security. Managed services pricing is typically based on a per-user or per-device rate. For most businesses, total annual spend under a managed agreement is comparable to reactive break-fix costs — but with predictable invoices, faster resolution times, and accountability for outcomes.