Most MSPs and vCISOs know that Managed Security Services (MSSP) pricing varies wildly. One vendor quotes $1,000 per month. Another charges $10,000. A third offers custom pricing with a six-month minimum.
Without a clear understanding of pricing models, you'll either overpay for services you don't need or underpay and get less than expected. This guide breaks down the most common MSSP pricing models so you can make smarter decisions for your clients.
Understanding MSSP Pricing Models
There are four main pricing approaches in the MSSP space:
Per-Device Pricing
This is one of the oldest models in the security industry. Vendors charge a flat fee for each device monitored or protected.
How it works:
- Pricing: $5-$20 per device per month (varies by service level and vendor)
- Setup: You pay based on how many devices your clients are protecting
- Scaling: Cost goes up as you add more devices


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