Digitization is a fundamental business driver, moving IT from being a back-office function to a core company role. However, managing complex infrastructure, ensuring cybersecurity, and supporting remote work, all while keeping costs under control, is a tall order, and not all businesses can afford a full-fledged in-house IT team. That’s where IT Managed Services (aka MSPs) come in.
In this guide, we break down everything you need to know: what managed IT services actually are, managed services pricing models that exist today, and the pros and cons every organization should weigh. Whether you’re a small business owner or an IT decision-maker at a growing enterprise, this post will help you determine whether partnering with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) can support your goals.
IT managed services involve organizations delegating their IT operations to a third-party organization, known as a managed service provider (MSP). This provider is responsible for maintaining and continuously improving IT systems in the organization, responding to user needs, and aiming to improve operations and reduce risks.
The scope of services can vary widely but typically includes network, application, infrastructure, and security services via ongoing and regular support and active administration on customers’ premises, in their MSP’s data center (hosting), or in a third-party data center.
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Managed IT services and MSPs help businesses stay secure, scalable, and competitive without the operational burden of running an in-house IT department. By outsourcing IT operations to specialized providers, companies gain access to expert-level knowledge, advanced tools, and best practices that would be expensive and time-consuming to build internally. For example, they can help drive initiatives like remote work and digital transformation, support regulatory compliance, and address cybersecurity needs.
In addition, MSPs offer ongoing and proactive monitoring, maintenance, and support. This preventative approach reduces the risk of costly downtime, data breaches, and system failures.
As a result, IT services offload the complexity of managing infrastructure, updates, security, and day-to-day tech support. This reduces operational costs and helps organizations focus more on their core goals and innovation.
Managed IT services can be priced based on various models, each offering different levels of service and flexibility:
MSP pricing is not a one-size-fits-all. Rather, it is determined by a number of factors, including:
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Managed service providers offer many types of IT services. Here are some notable examples.
Network monitoring and management involves the continuous monitoring and administration of a company’s network infrastructure. MSPs identify and resolve faults, ensure network performance and optimize it to meet business needs. This is important for minimizing downtime and maintaining business continuity.
This service usually includes patch management, system backups, and real-time alerts that help in preempting potential network issues before they become serious threats.
Cybersecurity services provided by MSPs focus on protecting organizations from data breaches, cyberattacks, and other security threats. This includes the implementation of security measures like firewalls, anti-virus software, intrusion detection systems, and endpoint protection systems.
These services also involve regular security audits, incident response, and compliance assistance, helping organizations align their security measures with international standards and best practices.
MSPs can manage IT infrastructure, overseeing all physical and virtualized components of an organization’s technology framework. This includes data center management, network setup and operation, and computing resources.
The aim is to ensure all pieces of infrastructure are effectively integrated, managed, and maintained to support business operations and enable optimization of processes.
Cloud services from managed IT service providers revolve around the deployment, management, and support of cloud-based applications and infrastructure. Providers offer solutions such as public, private, or hybrid cloud environments, depending on a company’s needs and security considerations.
They also ensure cloud resources are efficiently used, secured properly, and onboarded smoothly, providing scale and flexibility in business operations.
Help desk and technical support services aid in ensuring that users receive timely assistance for their technological issues. Managed IT services extend their expertise to offer 24/7 help desks where users can expect quick responses to queries and resolutions of problems.
This support can range from simple password resets to complex server troubleshooting, depending on the level of support agreed upon with the MSP.
Managed endpoint security involves securing and managing each endpoint, or user device, accessing the corporate network. This includes ensuring all endpoints meet security standards to avoid vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cyber threats.
MSPs manage software installations, updates, and policy configurations across all user devices, reducing the risk of data leaks or attacks on company networks.
Related content: Read our guide to managed service provider software
There are several reasons for organizations to outsource their IT management to an MSP.
Managed IT services are governed by contractual terms that outline the scope of services, ensuring clarity and mutual understanding between the provider and client. This arrangement helps organizations plan their IT budgets with better accuracy as costs are predictable due to fixed monthly fees under these contracts.
Through managed IT services, organizations gain access to high levels of expertise and experience without the need for in-house hiring. MSPs typically employ specialists with a wide range of skills and certifications, ensuring coverage of all technical needs. This access to expert resources allows companies to handle complex projects and solve issues more efficiently.
MSPs help organizations navigate complex regulatory environments by ensuring that their IT practices meet industry standards and legal requirements. They implement stringent security measures, including encryption, access controls, and regular security audits, to protect sensitive data. They also stay updated on evolving regulations, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA, and help organizations adapt to new compliance requirements.
MSPs use advanced monitoring tools to track system performance in real-time, identifying and addressing potential issues before they cause disruptions. Proactive maintenance, including regular software updates and hardware checks, ensures that systems run smoothly. In the event of a problem, MSPs provide rapid incident response and resolution, minimizing downtime.
Cynet is the Leading All-In-One Security Platform
Achieved 100% protection in 2024
Rated 4.8/5
2025 Leader
Relying on managed IT services can also have some potential drawbacks.
Since MSPs operate externally, there may be issues related to transparency, performance tracking, and service delivery quality. Organizations might experience difficulties in verifying and ensuring that the MSP adheres to agreed-upon service levels.
Another challenge is the size limitations of the MSP itself. Smaller MSPs may struggle to provide the breadth and depth of services required by larger enterprises. They might lack the resources, specialized expertise, or infrastructure to handle complex and large-scale IT environments. This can result in slower response times, inadequate support, and scalability issues as the company grows.
With managed IT service models, the MSP usually operates remotely. This can be a significant drawback when physical intervention is required, such as hardware installations, repairs, or troubleshooting network issues. The absence of on-site support can lead to longer resolution times for issues that cannot be addressed remotely, impacting business operations.
Before committing to a managed service provider, it’s important to thoroughly evaluate their offerings. Key considerations include:
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The platform features advanced capabilities such as Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV), Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), User Behavior Analytics (UBA), network analytics, deception technology, and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Security Posture Management (SSPM). These tools work together to detect and eliminate hidden threats. Cynet’s platform also includes automated incident resolution capabilities. It utilizes customizable playbooks and a range of remediation actions, enabling threats to be automatically resolved without manual intervention.
Additionally, Cynet supports its platform with the CyOps Managed Detection and Response (MDR) team. This team provides 24/7 monitoring of customer environments to quickly address any suspicious activity and respond to inquiries from both service providers and their clients. The multitenant nature of the platform makes it especially suitable for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs), making it easy to manage services across multiple clients.
Traditional IT support tends to be reactive. They respond to problems as they arise and often bill hourly for fixes. MSPs work on a proactive model, monitoring systems continuously, preventing issues before they escalate, and offering ongoing support. In addition, they offer advanced services like cloud management, cybersecurity, and strategic guidance, leading to a deeper business partnership with clients.
MSPs typically use a few main pricing models. The most common is per-device or per-user pricing, where clients are charged a fixed fee for each device or user covered. Another model is tiered pricing, offering different service levels at different rates (e.g., basic, standard, premium). Some MSPs offer all-inclusive flat-rate pricing, which bundles all services for a single monthly rate. Others may use value-based, on-demand, or monitoring-only models. Each model offers different levels of predictability, scalability, and customization depending on business needs.
Small businesses often benefit the most from MSPs. With limited in-house IT resources, small companies can leverage MSPs to access enterprise-level expertise, infrastructure, and security, without the overhead of hiring a full-time IT staff.
Managed IT service packages usually include a mix of essential IT functions: 24/7 system monitoring, patch management, data backups and disaster recovery, cybersecurity services (like endpoint protection, firewalls, and email filtering), help desk support, and network management. More advanced packages may also include cloud management, strategic IT consulting, and compliance assistance. These packages are often customizable based on industry requirements or the size and complexity of the business.
If your organization struggles with frequent IT issues, lacks in-house technical expertise, faces cybersecurity risks, wants to reduce downtime and improve efficiency, or aims to inject innovation and digital transformation into your operations, an MSP could be a smart move. A good rule of thumb: if IT is critical to your operations but not your core strength, it’s worth exploring an MSP to offload the burden and improve performance.
Yes, many MSPs specialize in helping businesses meet compliance and regulatory obligations. Whether it’s HIPAA, GDPR, PCI-DSS, or industry-specific standards, MSPs can implement controls, maintain audit trails, conduct assessments, and ensure data protection policies are in place. This is especially helpful for businesses in healthcare, finance, and legal sectors where non-compliance can result in significant penalties.
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