Difficulty retaining IT staff? Is it time to outsource Cybersecurity management?
Having challenges retaining skilled IT staff? You’re not alone. In fact, lots of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are finding it difficult to hire and retain IT talent, especially those with specialized cybersecurity expertise.
The impact of this on business is substantial– constant turnover leads to high costs, productivity setbacks, and increased vulnerability to cyber threats.
But there’s a strategic solution: outsourcing cybersecurity management to a trusted Managed Infrastructure and Security Solutions Provider (MISSP).
In this article, we’ll explore why partnering with an MISSP not only tackles the challenges of staff retention but also ensures expert protection for your business.
The Growing Challenge of IT Staff Retention for SMBs
Here’s the problem when it comes to retaining IT talent: the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals far outstrips supply, and large corporations often offer salaries and perks that SMBs simply can’t match. This leaves smaller businesses struggling with high turnover rates, limited in-house expertise, and constant disruptions in their IT operations.
Beyond the operational headaches, the lack of continuity can expose your business to security risks, especially when cyber threats are getting more sophisticated than ever.
The Cybersecurity Skills Shortage: Key Findings from Sophos’ Research
Sophos’ recent research, which involved surveying 5,000 frontline IT/cybersecurity professionals in SMBs, concluded that cybersecurity skills shortage is a persistent global issue that affect SMBs in particular.
SMB leaders believe that the lack of in-house expertise is their second biggest cybersecurity risk, while for larger organizations, it ranks seventh.
Cybersecurity complexity requires advanced skills, yet 96% of SMBs face challenges investigating alerts.
Critically, the study found that 91% of ransomware attacks occur outside regular business hours, as attackers count on SMBs not having 24/7 IT support services in place.
Other key insights from the report include:
- SMBs have no one monitoring or responding to alerts 33% of the time, leaving them vulnerable
- SMBs are the most affected by ransomware, with 74% of attacks resulting in data encryption due to weaker detection capabilities
The research also presented a number of solutions for SMBs to overcome their IT hiring and retention challenges, one of which is to partner with an expert like a trusted Managed Infrastructure and Security Solutions Provider (MISSP) that can help you with cybersecurity.
High Costs of Constant Hiring and Training for Cybersecurity
There are two sides to the cybersecurity talent retention story: a financial one and a productivity one.
Financial Impact
Replacing IT staff isn’t just inconvenient—it’s expensive. The costs of advertising job openings, onboarding new hires, and investing in specialized cybersecurity training quickly add up.
For SMBs, where every dollar counts, the revolving door of IT staff can drain resources preferable spent elsewhere.
Productivity Impact
Every new hire means time spent getting them up to speed. During this transition, productivity suffers as existing employees juggle extra responsibilities or critical projects are delayed. Worse, your security posture could be at risk during these vulnerable periods, leaving your organization exposed to attacks.
Why Outsourcing Cybersecurity is a Strategic Solution
Partnering with a MISSP offers a long-term solution to your cybersecurity challenges.
Unlike in-house teams that are vulnerable to turnover, MISSPs offer a stable, dedicated team of professionals focused on your cybersecurity needs. With an MISSP partnership, you can eliminate the gaps in protection that can arise during periods of staff transitions, ensuring your company remains secure all the time.
Access to Specialized Expertise
MISSPs are staffed with experts who have deep, specialized knowledge across various domains of cybersecurity, so you aren’t just sparing yourself the hassle of hiring talent but also benefiting from this social-proof expertise.
Free Up IT Resources
When you outsource cybersecurity, your internal IT team can focus on core business functions, such as improving operational efficiency or implementing new technologies to drive growth.
Outsourcing allows your team to work on projects that add value to your organization rather than being stretched thin managing security tasks.
Proactive Threat Management
MISSPs don’t just respond to issues—they actively monitor your systems and use advanced tools to detect vulnerabilities and neutralize threats before they escalate. With this approach, you can rest assured that you won’t find yourself having to deal with permanent data loss or extended periods of downtime.
Predictability
One of the biggest challenges for SMBs managing cybersecurity in-house is the unpredictable nature of costs associated with recruiting, training, and retaining talent.
MISSPs, on the other hand, offer predictable, scalable pricing models, giving you greater control over your IT budget without compromising on the quality of service.
Benefits of Partnering with an MISSP for Cybersecurity Management
Some of the benefits of partnering with an MISSP for keeping your cyber defenses up include:
Expertise
MISSPs bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, often surpassing what an in-house team can provide. It’s their job to stay updated on the latest threats, trends, and technologies, ensuring your business is always a step ahead.
Scalability
As your business grows, so do your cybersecurity needs. An MISSP can scale their services to match your requirements, whether that means increasing your security coverage or implementing advanced solutions.
24/7 Monitoring
Cyber threats don’t clock out at 5 PM, and neither do MISSPs. With around-the-clock monitoring, they can detect and neutralize threats before they cause damage, providing peace of mind that your business is always protected.
Cost-Effectiveness
Outsourcing is often more affordable than maintaining an in-house team, especially when you factor in recruitment, training, and retention costs.
With an MISSP, you gain access to a full team of experts at a fraction of the cost.
Focus on Growth While Experts Handle Security
Your time and energy are better spent growing your business, not worrying about cybersecurity staffing and management.
When you partner with a trusted MISSP like Prodatix, you can forget about the complexities of cybersecurity and focus on what you do best: driving your business forward.
Ready to secure your business without the staffing headaches?
Let Prodatix be your dedicated cybersecurity partner.
Book a call to learn how we can protect your business and simplify your IT operations.
