24/7 Security Coverage is No Longer Optional for MSPs

This is an excerpt from a recent podcast interview between Troels Rasmussen and Pete Roythorne.

For Managed Service Providers (MSPs), having 24/7 security operations is no longer a luxury or an option—it’s an essential service. Cyberattacks can happen at any time, often outside of traditional business hours, and MSPs must be equipped to respond immediately to minimize damage and protect client data. As Troels Rasmussen, MD of Security at N‑able, explains to me in a recent podcast interview, «Threat actors don’t care what hours your team and customers operate in.»

Listen to the full podcast — Beyond the Horizon, Episode 11: Building Resilient Businesses: The Critical Growth Areas of Security for MSPs

• Listen on your favourite streaming platform: click here
• Watch on YouTube: click here

The rise in demand for Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Managed Detection and Response (MDR), and Extended Detection and Response (XDR) solutions highlights the growing need for comprehensive, continuous security coverage. The evolution of these solutions reflects the increasing complexity of modern environments and the sophistication of cyber threats. «Endpoint security is not a new theme,” says Troels, “it’s a pretty mature category, but it has continued to evolve, extending into things like XDR technologies.»

However, implementing these technologies effectively requires more than just software—it demands skilled personnel to monitor, analyze, and respond to threats in real-time. Many smaller MSPs may find it challenging to maintain a fully staffed security operations center (SOC) capable of providing true 24/7 coverage. «It’s simply too hard for most service providers to hire people with the right skill set» adds Troels. “This is where solutions like MDR become critical, enabling MSPs of all sizes to offer continuous protection without the burden of staffing a full in-house team.”

Why 24/7 Matters

The key to understanding the importance of 24/7 security lies in the unpredictability of cyberattacks. Threat actors are opportunistic and strategic, often launching attacks during off-hours when response times are likely to be slower. «Your response time on Christmas Eve or Saturday at 4 am is probably less than on a Tuesday at 11 am,» notes Troels. “This is exactly why having a system that can detect, investigate, and respond to potential threats around the clock is crucial.”

MSPs that fail to offer such services risk leaving their clients vulnerable to breaches that could result in catastrophic data loss, downtime, and even legal consequences. The financial and reputational damage caused by a breach can be significant, especially when clients are left unprotected during weekends or holidays.

The Challenge of Staffing for 24/7 Coverage

One of the biggest obstacles MSPs face in delivering continuous security coverage is the resource-intensive nature of running a 24/7 SOC. «If you run the math on staffing that you need to do true 24/7/365, you probably need eight to ten skilled security professionals as minimum,” explains Troels highlighted the level of this staffing challenge. “Beyond just staffing the shifts, there are additional considerations such as vacations, sick leave, and ongoing training—this makes it difficult for many MSPs to maintain the necessary coverage.”

Even larger MSPs face challenges in scaling a full in-house security team. This is why many are turning to MDR services, which allow them to provide high-quality security services without having to invest in building and maintaining their own SOC. «When you work with a vendor to provide an MDR service, you’re removing some of that burden as your cost now scales with your business growth,» Troels adds.

Delivering Enterprise-Grade Security to SMBs

What makes MDR so compelling is its ability to democratize enterprise-grade security. MSPs serving small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can now offer the same level of security as larger organizations, thanks to the scalable nature of MDR services. «We have customers with tens of thousands of devices subscribing to this, but we also have partners with 50, 100, or 200 users subscribing to the model,» says Troels exemplifying the breadth of reach of MDR services.

This flexibility allows MSPs to provide tailored security services to clients of any size, giving smaller businesses access to the same 24/7 protection that larger enterprises demand. In turn, MSPs can differentiate themselves in a competitive market by offering comprehensive, always-on security that ensures business continuity for their clients.

The Financial Benefits of 24/7 Security

Not only does offering 24/7 security coverage protect clients from devastating breaches, but it also makes financial sense for MSPs. By utilizing MDR services, MSPs can scale their security operations in line with business growth, avoiding the pitfalls of overstaffing or understaffing. As Troels points out, «If you lose a person, that’s a significant decrease in your capacity, however when you work with a vendor to supply these services your costs scale with your business requirements, they take on the burden of keep an appropriate bench.»

This cost-efficiency allows MSPs to maintain profitability while ensuring that they can meet the growing demands for security services. By outsourcing certain aspects of security management to trusted vendors, MSPs can focus on their core business while delivering exceptional security outcomes for their clients.

Round the Clock Security with MDR

In a world where cyberattacks can happen at any moment, the need for 24/7 security coverage has never been more pressing. MSPs must be prepared to meet this demand, and leveraging MDR solutions is an effective way to ensure continuous protection without overextending internal resources. As Troels concludes, «It allows everyone to play and have an enterprise-grade SOC team backing your operations.»

To learn more about the benefits of 24/7 security coverage and how MDR can help your MSP stay ahead of the curve, listen to the full podcast episode with Troels Rasmussen for further insights.

Beyond the Horizon, Episode 11: Building Resilient Businesses: The Critical Growth Areas of Security for MSPs

• Listen on your favourite streaming platform: click here
• Watch on YouTube: click here

Pete Roythorne is Senior Brand Editor at N‑able