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MSPs Face Growing Cybersecurity Pressure—and Clients Notice

Insights from #TeamALCO

At ALCO USA Inc., we believe in sharing knowledge that helps businesses stay secure, productive, and prepared for the future. Each article highlights real-world strategies, industry insights, and technology trends designed to empower your organization. Our goal is to simplify complex challenges and provide practical solutions that drive growth. Whether you’re a small business owner or part of a larger enterprise, these insights are written with you in mind. Explore, learn, and take the next step toward stronger, smarter IT.

Introduction

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are no longer just IT support desks. In 2025, they are increasingly viewed as the frontline of cybersecurity for small, midsize, and enterprise businesses alike. With attacks on the rise, both customers and regulators are holding MSPs to higher standards.

A new report highlights just how much pressure MSPs are under—and what this means for businesses that depend on them.

The Industry Shift: From IT Partner to Security Ally

According to the latest MSP industry surveys:

  • 84% of clients now expect their MSP to manage cybersecurity end-to-end—up from just 65% last year.

  • 77% of MSPs say their own internal security practices are under more scrutiny than ever before.

  • Over 80% of MSPs have increased hiring in cybersecurity roles to meet rising demand.

  • 78% are investing in expanded security toolsets, including AI-driven monitoring and 24/7 threat detection.

Why the Pressure Is Rising

Several key factors are driving this shift:

  • Cybercrime Growth: Ransomware and phishing attacks are now a top threat across industries.

  • Regulatory Pressure: Governments are enforcing zero-trust frameworks, compliance rules, and cyber insurance requirements.

  • Client Expectations: Businesses no longer want “break-fix” IT—they want strategic security partners.

  • Supply Chain Risk: Attackers see MSPs as “gateways” to multiple clients, raising the stakes for breaches.

What This Means for Businesses

If your company partners with an MSP, you should be asking tough questions to ensure your provider is keeping up:

Key Questions to Ask Your MSP:

  • Do you provide 24/7 threat detection and response?

  • What compliance frameworks do you follow (SOC 2, HIPAA, CMMC)?

  • Are you investing in advanced security tools like EDR, SIEM, or zero-trust networks?

  • Do you conduct regular security training for your own staff?

  • What’s your incident response plan if something happens to us—or you?

How Forward-Thinking MSPs Are Responding

The best MSPs are taking proactive steps to meet these new expectations:

  • Hiring certified cybersecurity specialists instead of general IT staff.

  • Deploying advanced tools like SentinelOne, CrowdStrike, or Microsoft Defender for Business.

  • Conducting quarterly reviews to assess risk posture.

  • Providing clients with reports showing security incidents stopped, threats detected, and vulnerabilities patched.

  • Partnering with insurance providers and auditors to streamline compliance for clients.

Benefits to Customers

Working with a security-focused MSP means your business gains:

  • Lower risk of breaches and downtime.

  • Improved compliance with industry and government standards.

  • Faster detection and recovery if an incident does occur.

  • Peace of mind knowing your IT partner is investing in cybersecurity at scale.

Conclusion

MSPs are evolving rapidly to meet the cybersecurity demands of 2025. For business owners, this means you should expect more than just IT support—you should expect proactive cybersecurity leadership.

If your MSP isn’t delivering in this area, now is the time to have the conversation. Cybercriminals won’t wait—and neither should you.