Adrian Johnson
TLDR:
- Customers now expect MSPs to provide security services in addition to managing infrastructure.
- Research from CyberSmart shows that 65% of MSP customers expect cyber security management from their provider.
Customers are increasingly looking to their service providers to cover all bases, including data protection. The lines between managed service providers (MSPs) and managed security specialists are blurring, with customers expecting their partners to protect their data as well as manage infrastructure. The pressure on MSPs of all kinds to provide security continues to increase, with research from CyberSmart underlining the shift in customer expectations.
The CyberSmart findings revealed that 65% of MSP customers now expect their provider to manage either their cyber security infrastructure or both their cyber security and IT infrastructure. This change reflects a shift in how MSPs need to operate, with security services becoming a crucial part of their offerings. This expectation comes at a time when MSPs are also vulnerable to cyber attacks, with research indicating that 87% of MSPs experienced a breach in the past year.
More than a third of MSPs surveyed indicated that only around 20% of their SME base had a specific security role assigned in-house, highlighting the crucial role MSPs play in providing security services. Some MSPs have already hired security and regulatory experts to enhance their offerings. It is essential for MSPs to empower themselves and enhance their security capabilities to meet the evolving needs of their customers.
CyberSmart has been increasing its support for MSPs, recognizing the need to help them cover the demands of SME customers. With the changing perception of what is expected from MSPs, it is crucial for providers to adapt and strengthen their security services to meet customer expectations in the increasingly intertwined world of IT and cyber security threats.
