--- title: "Channel Strong in Chicago: Talking MSP vs MssP" description: "The Channel Strong: Positive Vibe Tour is underway and the first day covered the convergence of MSPs and MssPs" canonical_url: https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/channel-strong-chicago-talking-msp-vs-mssp/ locale: en last_updated: 2026-10-11 --- [Acronis Blog](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/) # Channel Strong in Chicago: Talking MSP vs MssP Day one of the Channel Strong: Positive Vibe Tour is in the bag! We met with awesome partners and enjoyed the tremendous hosting of Lori Tisinai outside on the docks at the Chicago Yacht Club. We ate, we drank, and we had great conversations while socially distancing and enjoying how fantastic it felt to be out – and together! We talked a little nerd, met new MSPs, and learned new things about how real MSPs are currently running their businesses. [Try Now](https://www.acronis.com/en/products/cloud/trial/) [![Image 2: Amy Luby](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/4ebd2c6ab90855a20d45286557169382.png)](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/authors/amy-luby/ "Amy Luby") [Amy Luby](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/authors/amy-luby/) 2 min read Last updated 13 August 2020 Day one of the Channel Strong: Positive Vibe Tour is in the bag! We met with awesome partners and enjoyed the tremendous hosting of Lori Tisinai outside on the docks at the Chicago Yacht Club. We ate, we drank, and we had great conversations while socially distancing and enjoying how fantastic it felt to be out – and together! We talked a little nerd, met new MSPs, and learned new things about how real MSPs are currently running their businesses. ### MSP vs MssP One of the hot topics during our Chicago visit was the definition of MSP vs MssP. Are they the same? The MSP model has always been about supporting the devices, supporting the network, and supporting the users. But as cybersecurity has become increasingly critical and cyberthreats much more sophisticated and prolific, MSPs find that they cannot think about delivering any services to their clients without first addressing today’s security threats. “We may not be considered an MssP, but that’s what we do,” said Michael Schultz of Firelogic Technology Services. MSPs are quickly evolving their models to deliver cybersecurity first, which means the distinction between MSP and MssP seems to be disappearing – they are becoming one and the same. ![Image 3: Day one of the Channel Strong Positive Vibes Tour](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/5d63f0f81d842c6aa90d0e4cbc921c90.png) Day one of the Channel Strong Positive Vibes Tour ### Networking in the channel In addition to the shop talk, many of the attendees were enjoying being outside at the beautiful Chicago Yacht Club with the docks and boats in the background. Randy Carnegie of Ken Kor Consulting said he was just happy to get out, socialize, see old friends, and de-stress a bit. We had a great time, Chicago, and we made it out of town just in time to avoid the storm that rolled in. Thanks to all of the guests who were able to join us. Now we’re on to the next stop. We’ll be popping up in Kansas City next! In the meantime, stay #channelstrong (and always #CyberFit). ![Image 4: Chanel Strong heads to Kansas City](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/088c0bfe96df4c90329ff15bbd596da4.png) Chanel Strong heads to Kansas City [Data protection](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/data-protection/) [Cloud backup](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/cloud-backup/) ## Written by ![Image 5: Amy Luby](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/4ebd2c6ab90855a20d45286557169382.png) Amy Luby [Previous post](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/setting-sail-channel-strong-positive-vibes-tour/) [Setting Sail on the Channel Strong: Positive Vibes Tour](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/setting-sail-channel-strong-positive-vibes-tour/) [Next post](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/channel-strong-kansas-city-local-support-means-many-things/) [Channel Strong in Kansas City: Local support means many things](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/channel-strong-kansas-city-local-support-means-many-things/) About Acronis Acronis is a leader in AI-native cyber protection, unifying data protection, cybersecurity, IT operations and hybrid infrastructure to deliver business continuity, security and compliance with less cost and complexity. More than 21,000 service providers trust Acronis to protect over 750,000 businesses in 150 countries. Acronis is headquartered in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. [Add as a preferred source on Google](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=acronis.com) ## Related stories Want to learn more? Read the latest stories featuring this solution on our blog. [Acronis Blog](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/) ![Image 6: From AI vision to MSP action: The journey continues this October](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/65821c3bd72f935cd680e584fe43de66.png) [From AI vision to MSP action: The journey continues this October](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/from-ai-vision-to-msp-action-the-journey-continues-this-october/) The first event answered why AI matters and the second event demonstrated what's possible. 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Through the Acronis #TeamUp Program and Acronis #SportsIgnite Program, participating MSPs can use opportunities such as premium hospitality, business development events, brand exposure **September 11, 2026**5 min read ![Image 8: IEC 62443: the industrial cybersecurity standard explained](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/b9ffaf41bd2bebd037b7b210e1e1974a.png) [IEC 62443: the industrial cybersecurity standard explained](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/iec-62443-explained/) What is IEC 62443? A practitioner's guide to security levels, zones and conduits, certification types, and how it maps to NIS2 and NIST SP 800-82. **September 09, 2026**13 min read