MSP vs Internal IT: Which Support Model Actually Works Better Today?

Small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) hit an inflexion point where they have to decide what the best option is for them: MSP vs internal IT. You have a lot to consider:

• Cost and budget
• Commitment levels
• Coverage and uptime
• Skills and expertise
• Scalability

We’ll make your choice easier with this guide.

Why the MSP vs Internal IT Debate Matters More Than Ever

Technological and security landscapes are shifting. AI makes it easier for bad actors to attack your infrastructure while also reducing the complexity of attacks.

The debate of hiring an internal IT department vs outsourcing is more important than ever because:

• Data breach costs are rising, costing many companies $4.62 million to rectify.
• Protection is necessary 24/7 because hackers do not follow a 9 to 5 schedule.
• Skill specialization is increasing, necessitating companies to hire multiple team members to manage compliance, security and more.
• Hiring costs and commitments are pushing many companies to follow lax security measures.

Your business needs to continue growing and scaling. An increase in attack surface puts your company’s operations at risk and increases the debate on whether you benefit more from an MSP vs an internal IT team.

The decision is not black and white.

What Internal IT Really Means Today

Modern in-house teams are strategic partners who understand the company’s main goals and objectives. Oftentimes, these employees are the ones who shape the business’s tech stack, and this gives them an advantage in maintaining a high level of security.

But they also have expanding responsibilities that they need to fill.

Typical Roles and Responsibilities

Both an internal IT department vs outsourcing team wear a lot of “hats.” Some of the tasks that your team will handle include:

• End-user support
• Strategy and governance
• Security and architecture

Strengths of an Internal Team

Your in-house employees have a high-touch relationship with employees and fit culturally within the company. Strengths include:

• Cultural alignment
• Immediate availability
• Faster communication
• Maximum control over data

Limitations That Often Show Up as a Business Scales

One of the main debates of an MSP vs an internal IT team is the ability to scale. Scaling in-house teams requires lengthy hiring processes. You also have to guarantee benefits, office space and salaries.

Scaling down often means layoffs and firing key tech employees.

What an MSP Brings That Internal IT Usually Can’t

An in-house vs. outsourced IT support team often tips in favor of an MSP. These partners bring a lot to the table:

Broader Expertise and 24/7 Coverage

MSPs manage their internal teams to offer greater access to experts across a range of specialties. Monitoring and coverage are 24/7, something which requires a substantial investment in-house.

Predictable, Subscription-Based Pricing

MSPs offer predictable costs. You’ll often pay a subscription-style price for each user.

Access to Enterprise-Grade Tools and Technologies

Your MSP will have access to a wide range of new tech. Due to working with many companies, these professionals are better equipped to offer recommendations for technologies and tools that in-house teams have never used.

MSP vs Internal IT: Key Differences That Influence the Final Cost

Price is often the deciding factor for SMBs when deciding on an MSP vs internal IT teams. Differences in this area include:

Staffing and Hiring Costs

A quick and easy managed IT vs. in-house IT comparison is:

• In-house has higher fixed costs with paid time off, health insurance, salaries and more.
• MSPs come at a lower price and have fixed monthly subscription costs.

Technology and Software Costs

Another comparison for managed IT vs. in-house IT prices is tech-related:

• In-house has higher capital expenditures for tools and software.
• MSPs spread costs across clients for tools, reducing overall costs.

Downtime and Response-Time Impact

Finally, when considering in-house IT vs outsourcing teams, you need to think of operational concerns.

• In-house response is limited to business hours or requires more team members.
• MSPs provide 24/7 monitoring and support solutions.

When an Internal IT Department Makes the Most Sense

In-house teams make most sense when you have:

• Specialized or proprietary systems
• Compliance and regulatory requirements are high
• Business is moving to a large enterprise scale
• You require deep cultural integration for teams

When Partnering With an MSP Provides More Value

For SMBs, strategic growth means maximizing your budget and accessing specialized skills. That’s where an MSP delivers undeniable value.

In an in-house IT vs outsourcing comparison, an MSP is the clear winner.

They offer:

• Predictable costs
• Access to a full team of experts
• Use of enterprise-level tools at a fraction of the cost
• A wide breadth of services and expertise

MSPs also take a proactive approach, helping you break free from the reactive cycles internal teams often get stuck in.

Hybrid IT: The Middle-Ground Option Many Companies Choose

You can’t compare in-house vs outsourced IT without discussing the middle ground: hybrid. This option allows teams to leverage the best of both worlds.

• Internal efforts stay focused on tasks that add the most value
• MSPs deliver reliable everyday IT support at a predictable monthly cost

This model frees up time for staff to focus on innovations and projects that directly drive business growth. MSPs can focus on help desk tickets, continuous monitoring and other routine IT support needs.

How to Decide Between MSP and Internal IT

Is an MSP the right option for you? Or is an internal team the best solution?

Consider the following:

• Are you in a regulated industry? An MSP with compliance expertise may be ideal.
• Do you rely on custom-coded applications? These require a unique level of internal knowledge that an internal team can provide.
• Do you use standard software, like Microsoft 365? MSPs specialize in managing these platforms efficiently.

Consider also your budget and scalability needs. MSPs make it easy to scale instantly, while in-house teams require hiring, training and an overall greater investment.

How Cyber Husky Helps Businesses Bridge the Gap Between MSP and Internal IT

At Cyber Husky, we know that businesses need specialized attention and reliable coverage. That’s why we designed our services to ensure IT support is a strategic asset and not a liability.

Our team acts as a partner to provide the depth of an internal team with the breadth of an MSP:

• Cloud management
• 24/7 monitoring
• User management
• IT and cybersecurity policy governance
• Hardware procurement
• Patch testing and management

We provide the reliable service you need to succeed in today’s digital landscape.

Choosing the IT Support Path That Actually Fits Your Business

There is no one-size-fits-all solution when comparing in-house IT vs outsourcing. The right choice depends on your budget, growth trajectory and complexity of your IT needs.

If cost predictability, scalability and specialized skill access are your top concerns, an MSP is the clear solution. An internal team only makes sense for total control and proprietary focus.