As we begin another year of pandemic living, it’s important to remember that while there have been significant ups and downs in the business environment, the fundamentals for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) have remained consistent. Security is a critical concern, and MSPs that haven’t shifted to a security-centric focus will be left behind.
We think this key trend will be vital as we head into 2022. First, of course, if we learned anything over the past two years, you never know what might happen.
Security will remain top of mind.
The shift to remote and mobile work environments has continued as the lingering pandemic kept many employees from returning to the office. In some cases, the remote work option will remain permanent as companies try to leverage flexible work schedules to accommodate current employees and attract new ones.
With the hybrid work transition, cybercriminals took advantage of less-secure network connections. That has made it more apparent to many companies that they don’t have the resources internally to protect their apps and networks sufficiently. As more small to medium businesses (SMBs) become cyber risks, MSPs will be the ultimate choice.
Labor shortages have also been a hot topic across almost every industry this year. The effects of the pandemic economy on the labor force have exacerbated the existing shortage of qualified security professionals. We see the cybersecurity skills shortage becoming even more challenging in 2022.
The demand for individuals with years of experience in cybersecurity (like CISOs and infosec directors) is increasing exponentially. However, there simply aren’t enough individuals with the appropriate, relevant experience to meet security hiring demands. As a result, it will take a long time–and a lot of training–to fill the pipeline.
Many businesses don’t fully understand what this means. Because this talent gap exists, companies can’t get the help they need, even if they want to. So, an SMB may be well aware that they need to invest in cybersecurity personnel, but no qualified applicants are available. And if they are, they may not be available at a price most SMBs can afford.
The experiences of the past two years have helped us prepare for the growing demand for cybersecurity solutions and expertise, along with the need for more security-centric MSPs. We can keep your business safe. Contact us at 502.267.2552 to learn more.
