Higher education cybersecurity buyers are being pushed to rethink managed security service provider (MSSP) arrangements, according to a new industry-focused analysis. The piece argues that universities can’t treat managed security as a checklist—such as sending logs to a vendor and tracking ticket-closure counts—because that approach no longer matches the threat landscape facing campus networks and connected systems. Instead, it frames the buying question around institutional outcomes: whether the MSSP helps achieve university security goals tied to protecting students, research, and compliance obligations. For college IT and security leaders, the practical shift is toward tighter metrics, clearer operational ownership, and ongoing evaluation of how the MSSP reduces risk and supports broader institutional goals.