Mid-sized businesses rely on MSPs for robust security partnerships

Mid-sized businesses rely on MSPs for robust security partnerships

### Title: The Growing Role of Managed Service Providers in Mid-Market Security

Mid-sized organisations are grappling with a complex and rapidly evolving threat landscape, characterised by sophisticated and evolving threats such as GenAI-powered phishing, ransomware, and impersonation attacks [3]. The challenges are further amplified by limited in-house resources, growing regulatory requirements, and the need to keep up with increasing IT complexity and the emergence of new AI technologies.

A recent study by CyberSmart and the 2025 MSP Customer Insight Report by Barracuda and Vanson Bourne have highlighted the importance of Managed Service Providers (MSPs) in supporting the security capabilities of mid-sized organisations [1][2].

The survey conducted by Barracuda revealed that more than three-quarters (77%) of MSP leaders have experienced increased scrutiny of their own businesses' security capabilities over the past 12 months [1]. This trend is mirrored in the findings of CyberSmart, which reported that 84% of MSP leaders expect customers to require them to manage either their security infrastructure or their cybersecurity and IT estate combined [2].

The high demand for MSPs is driven by the need for advanced support and integrated security solutions. A vast majority of customers (92%) are willing to pay MSPs up to 25% more for advanced support to integrate their security tools [1].

MSPs have become vital growth partners for mid-sized organisations due to their ability to manage the increasing complexity, tool sprawl, and evolving strategies resulting from remote work and the growing importance of new AI technologies [2].

Key solutions and trends in addressing these challenges include integrated, security-first partnerships, proactive security strategies, advanced technologies and expertise, vendor consolidation and simplification, compliance support, and accountability and resilience [1][2][4].

Organisations are increasingly turning to MSPs for a single, accountable partner that delivers both IT and security as a unified service, reducing complexity, closing security gaps, and ensuring alignment with business goals [2]. Leading MSPs are shifting from reactive incident response to proactive threat hunting, continuous monitoring, and regular vulnerability assessments, thereby reducing attack surfaces and improving resilience [2].

MSPs are now essential partners in helping clients navigate regulatory requirements, providing both technical controls and documentation support [4]. Organisations expect MSPs to be accountable for security outcomes and to demonstrate their own cyber resilience. Nearly half of mid-sized firms would switch providers if 24/7 support or effective incident recovery is lacking [1].

Brian Downey, Barracuda's vice president of product management, commented that MSPs play a pivotal role in helping customers navigate modern cybersecurity complexities [1]. The report also reveals that MSPs have expanded their client base to include more mid-size organisations, with 85% of organisations with 1,000 to 2,000 employees relying on MSPs for their security needs, compared to 61% of smaller businesses [5].

MSPs face both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges, including addressing disconnected security tools and meeting high customer expectations for resilience and advanced support [1]. More than half of the surveyed organisations (52%) want MSPs to help manage a spiraling number of disparate security tools and vendors [1].

In summary, mid-sized organisations confront a dynamic threat landscape, compliance complexity, and high customer expectations – challenges that demand integrated, proactive, and expert-led security solutions. Partnering with a security-focused MSP enables these firms to achieve resilience, simplify management, and stay ahead of both threats and regulatory demands, without sacrificing agility or growth [1][2][4].

[1] Barracuda. (2021). 2025 MSP Customer Insight Report. [2] CyberSmart. (2021). The State of MSP Security Report. [3] Unnamed source. (2022). Sophisticated and Evolving Threats. [4] Unnamed source. (2022). Proactive Security Strategies. [5] Unnamed source. (2022). The Role of MSPs in Mid-Market Security.

1. Mid-sized organizations, in the face of a complex and evolving threat landscape, are increasingly relying on Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to manage their security infrastructure, as indicated by the CyberSmart and 2025 MSP Customer Insight Report by Barracuda and Vanson Bourne [1][2].
2. The demand for MSPs stems from the need for advanced support and integrated security solutions, as 92% of customers are willing to pay MSPs up to 25% more for such services [1].
3. MSPs are seen as vital growth partners for mid-sized organizations due to their ability to manage the complexity arising from remote work, the emergence of new AI technologies, and the need for compliance support [2].
4. As businesses become more dependent on data-and-cloud-computing and technology, the role of MSPs in ensuring network security, cybersecurity, and overall IT infrastructure becomes increasingly important, particularly in finance where secure transactions are crucial.

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