How to Choose a Managed Service Provider: A Comprehensive Guide

Navigating the complexities of technology in a business environment can be daunting, especially when it comes to security and IT management.

A study conducted by the Ponemon Institute on behalf of IBM found that 77% of organizations surveyed are still unprepared to properly respond to cybersecurity incidents, underscoring the critical need for robust IT management and security.

As Ethan Gillani, CTO of Micro Tech USA,  says, “The right Managed Service Provider (MSP) can alleviate these burdens.”

But how to choose a managed services provider for your business?

In this blog, we have outlined key considerations and questions to guide you in how to choose a managed services provider, focusing on key areas like managed security services, vendor selection criteria, and the right questions to ask potential MSPs.

What are Managed Services

Before diving into how to choose a managed services provider, it’s important to understand what managed IT services encompass.

These services range from day-to-day IT management to more specific areas like managed security services, which focus on protecting your business from cyber threats.

The goal of an MSP is to maintain and improve your IT infrastructure, ensuring that your business operates efficiently and securely.

Source: CompTIA

 

Managed Services Selection Criteria

Selecting the right MSP involves several key criteria.

First, consider the range of services offered. Does the MSP offer comprehensive solutions that cover your current and future needs? This includes evaluating their service offerings, like cloud services, disaster recovery plans, and support for remote work.

Next, assess the MSP’s expertise and experience.

Do they have a proven track record in managing IT services for businesses similar to yours? What certifications and qualifications do their technical staff hold? This information can be crucial in determining their capability to handle your IT needs.

 

MSP Qualifying Questions

When meeting with potential MSPs, it’s vital to ask the right questions. Start with questions to ask an MSP about their response times and incident response capabilities. Also, inquire about their security posture.

How quickly can you respond to IT issues?	What is your process for handling major incidents?
How do you protect your clients from the latest cyber threats?	What measures do you have in place for data protection?

These technical questions to qualify an MSP will give you insight into their ability to safeguard your business.

 

Managed Services Vendor Selection Criteria

In addition to asking the right questions, you should also consider managed services vendor selection criteria. This includes evaluating their service level agreements (SLAs).

What guarantees do they provide regarding uptime, support response times, and issue resolution? These SLAs are key in setting expectations and ensuring accountability.

Additionally, consider the scalability of their services. Can they accommodate the growth of your business, and how flexible are they in adapting to your changing needs? This aspect is crucial for long-term collaboration.

 

 

How to Choose Managed Security Services Provider?

Gartner predicts that by 2025, 50% of organizations will be using Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services for threat monitoring, up from less than 40% in 2020.

When evaluating managed security services as part of selecting an MSP, it’s crucial to conduct a thorough assessment to ensure robust protection against increasing and evolving cyber threats. Here are key factors to consider:

 

1. Cybersecurity Expertise:

• Assess the MSP’s depth of knowledge in cybersecurity.
• Look for specific certifications and training in cybersecurity among their staff.
• Evaluate their experience in dealing with cyber threats relevant to your industry.

 

2. Security Solutions Offered:

• Determine the range of security services they offer. This should include firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, antivirus, and anti-malware solutions.
• Inquire about their capabilities in advanced threat protection

 

3. Incident Response and Management:

• Understand their incident response protocols. How do they handle a breach or a security incident?
• Assess their capabilities in not just responding to but also in recovering from cyber incidents.
• Inquire about their success stories in managing and mitigating security incidents.

 

4. Compliance and Regulatory Standards:

• Ensure the MSP is well-versed in relevant regulatory and compliance standards for your industry.
• Ask how they integrate compliance requirements into their security measures.

 

5. Partnerships with MSSPs:

• Investigate if the MSP collaborates with specialized Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs).
• Understand the added value these partnerships bring, like enhanced security intelligence or specialized security services.

 

6. User Education and Training:

• Determine if they provide cybersecurity training and awareness programs for your employees.
• User education is a critical line of defense against cyber threats.

 

Questions to Ask During MSP Discovery

During your discovery phase with potential MSPs, it’s important to ask certain technical questions to the qualifying MSPs to know about their approach to your specific business needs. Also considering remote work and cloud Services.

With the increasing shift towards remote work and cloud services, ensure that the MSP has the capability to support these aspects. Ask about their experience in managing remote teams and their expertise in cloud service management. This is essential for businesses that rely heavily on cloud-based applications and remote collaborations.

Another key aspect is the MSP’s disaster recovery plan. How do they ensure business continuity in the event of a disaster? Understanding their approach to disaster recovery will give you peace of mind knowing that your business is prepared for unforeseen events.

 

Quick Checklist: Questions to Ask IT MSP

Service Scope and MSPs Offerings: What services do they offer? Are these services aligned with your business needs? Cost and Pricing Structure: What is the pricing model? Are there any hidden costs or additional fees? Customer Support and Response Time:  How do they handle support requests? What are their typical response times? Security and Compliance:  What security measures do they implement? Are they compliant with industry standards relevant to your business? Experience and Expertise:  What is their experience in your industry? Can they provide case studies or references? Technology and Infrastructure:  What kind of technology and infrastructure do they use? How often do they update their systems? Contract Terms and Flexibility:  What are the contract terms? Is there flexibility to scale services up or down? Disaster Recovery and Backup Plans:  What are their disaster recovery and data backup plans? Client Reviews and Testimonials: What do other clients say about their services? Can they provide testimonials or reviews? Innovation and Future Planning:  How do they keep up with technological advancements? Do they offer strategic planning for future IT needs?

 

Empower Your IT Journey with Micro-Tech USA’s Expertise

 

Choosing the right managed service provider is a strategic decision that can significantly impact the efficiency and security of your business.

At Micro-Tech USA, we understand the critical importance of selecting the right managed services provider. With 24 years of experience and 100 years of combined experience, we are uniquely positioned to address your IT challenges.

With us, you gain a partner who is invested in your success, one who brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record to the table.

Choose Micro-Tech USA as your managed services provider, and experience the peace of mind that comes from knowing your IT needs are in the hands of seasoned experts who are as committed to your success as you are.