The
2026 MSSP Alert Top 250 survey closes in a few weeks, and the submissions already point to where the managed security market is moving next.
The Top 250 remains the only ranking focused specifically on MSSPs working on the front lines of cybersecurity. It gives providers a chance to see how they compare, share how their business is changing and highlight the work they are doing for customers. This year’s submissions are already showing some clear trends in growth, investment and service delivery.
“Our team is thrilled to be reviewing the entries and learning more about the innovation, growth and customer outcomes MSSPs are delivering,”
Michael Siggins, publisher and content director of MSSP Alert, highlighted. “By the end of the process, we expect to have reviewed close to 300 submissions.”
We are also seeing a lot of interest from MSSPs that want to share how they are growing, where they are investing, and what they are doing differently. This year’s five new categories, including Most Innovative MSSP, Fastest Growing MSSP, Best Emerging MSSP, Best Mid-Market Focused, and Best Enterprise Focused, will give providers more ways to be recognized for the businesses and services they are building.
Recurring revenue continues to rise
Early entries show managed security recurring revenue increasing compared with previous years. Customers are continuing to commit to ongoing security services, even as they take a closer look at broader technology spending. That means that the demand for services tied to continuous protection, compliance support, and incident response remains steady.
AI is becoming part of that
recurring revenue story. The bigger shift is toward becoming AI-native, with AI built into triage, investigation, response, and reporting from the start, rather than added as another tool later.
MSSPs are using it to change how the SOC works, help analysts move through investigations faster, and support more customers without adding the same amount of manual work. This is not only improving customer outcomes but also making services easier to scale.
However, customers still want proof that AI investments are reducing risk, improving day-to-day operations, and producing reports they can understand. As one MSSP respondent put it, “The next few years will not reward the MSSPs that add AI. They will reward the ones that rebuild the SOC around it, and that is a much smaller club.”
Another respondent made the point from the customer side: “The MSSPs that win the next few years won’t be the ones with the biggest tool stack. They’ll be the ones who can prove outcomes: faster detection, cleaner compliance evidence, and reporting clients can actually understand.”
The entries are also showing just how global the MSSP market has become. We are seeing participation from the U.S., Europe, Asia, the Middle East, South America and beyond. Those providers serve customers across nearly two dozen industries, including financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, education and professional services.
What will separate the leaders
Early responses are making one thing pretty clear: having bolted-on AI, automation, and detection tools will not be enough on its own. Most serious MSSPs will have access to the same technology. The real difference will be how well they build those tools into the way the SOC actually works, while keeping experienced analysts involved when judgment, creativity and customer knowledge matter.
How services are packaged will matter just as much. Customers are already juggling too many tools, contracts and renewal dates. MSSPs that make pricing simpler, bundle services clearly, and explain exactly what the customer is paying for will have an easier time standing out.
At the end of the day, customers will want to see results. They will want faster detection and response, cleaner compliance evidence, fewer day-to-day headaches and reports they can actually understand.
There are still a few weeks left to submit, but this is not something to leave until the last minute.
MSSPs can complete the 2026 Top 250 survey now.The survey will help determine the final Top 250 ranking and shape
MSSP Alert’s annual industry report, which will be released during
MSSP Alert Live on November 17 and 18.And if you provide managed security services, that is an event worth having on your calendar. You can register for
MSSP Alert Live here and take the
MSSP Top 250 Survey.Making the MSSP Alert Top 250 starts with a strong application. Read the Top 250 MSSP application tips here to get started. The deadline to complete the form is August 21, 2026.
