In today’s digital age, Managed Service Providers (MSPs) have become invaluable partners for businesses of all sizes. However, common misconceptions about MSPs often prevent organizations from reaping these benefits. In this article, we’ll debunk some top myths surrounding MSPs, showing why they’re a strategic choice for businesses of all sizes—not just a backup plan for emergencies.
Myth: MSPs are expensive.
Fact: Managed Service Providers save your business money. On average, businesses that work with MSPs see a 30-40% savings on their IT investment.
By outsourcing IT infrastructure and security management, businesses can avoid costly downtime (one hour of downtime costs an average of $300,000), data breaches (which cost an average of $4.88 million), and equipment failures. Additionally, MSPs offer predictable, subscription-based pricing, helping businesses manage their budgets.
Myth: MSPs are only for large businesses.
Fact: Businesses of every size can benefit from a Managed Service Provider.
Did you know that 82% of all ransomware attacks target small and medium-sized businesses?! Managed Service Providers offer scalable solutions supporting growth goals and seasonal peaks and valleys. Scalability means that companies of all sizes can benefit from their services.
Myth: We have an in-house IT Department, so we don’t need an MSP.
Fact: Many in-house IT departments benefit from a partnership with an MSP.
This collaboration is known as Co-managed IT, where the Managed Service Provider is an extension of an existing IT department. How the work gets divided is up to the business. The MSP can handle day-to-day troubleshooting, 24/7 monitoring, ongoing patch management, and security, leaving the internal IT team plenty of time to focus on strategic projects. Or, if the internal team is more comfortable handling the day-to-day technology needs, a Managed Service Provider can be responsible for annual IT planning and advanced security solutions. Co-managed IT services are proven to enhance the effectiveness of IT departments and increase the security and profitability of businesses.
Myth: MSPs are only needed when technology breaks down.
Fact: A good Managed Service Provider is proactive, adding value to your organization in good times and when things go wrong.
The proactive nature of an MSP is where the value lies. They monitor and maintain systems around the clock, secure networks, support digital assets, and help businesses plan for the future. Doing so prevents minor hiccups from becoming big problems.
Myth: If we already have backups, we don’t need an MSP.
Fact: Having a backup is important, but it’s not enough.
Hackers can still compromise backups before launching an attack. A Managed Service Provider ensures backups are protected, encrypted, and isolated from potential threats. MSPs also monitor and test backup systems regularly to ensure data is recoverable when needed.
Myth: If a breach occurs, we can pay the ransom in the worst-case scenario.
Fact: Paying a ransom doesn’t guarantee your data’s return.
On average, organizations that paid the ransom only recovered 61% of their data. Managed Service Providers help prevent ransomware attacks from happening in the first place by implementing strong cybersecurity measures and providing ongoing monitoring.
MSPs: Your Proactive Partner in Business Growth and Security
As you can see, MSPs are more than a safety net—they’re proactive partners in technology and security. By dispelling these myths, we hope you see how partnering with a Managed Service Provider can add value, save costs, and enhance protection for your business. Understanding the facts about MSPs can help companies to make informed decisions about their IT strategy and gain a proactive ally in managing and securing their technology.