Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 11 hrs ago
Businesses considering cybersecurity providers doubt their ability to recover from attacks
Businesses considering a managed security provider lack confidence in handling cyberattacks, a survey of organizations found.
Managed service providers, or MSPs, run services such as cybersecurity for other businesses.
The survey said 66% of organizations already outsource security services to an MSP, while another 29% are considering one.
Only 29% of prospective customers said they could restore operations within hours after an attack compromised accounts.
Many also described their security policies and records of third parties with access to sensitive data as incomplete or at an early stage.
AI-related threats worried 59% of businesses considering an MSP, including AI-generated scams and unauthorized use of AI tools by employees.
Companies said they want specialist help, better threat visibility and support setting rules for their own AI use, rather than simply hiring more staff.
They also want providers to explain security risks in plain language, so business leaders can understand what problems mean and what to do next.
A Barracuda report says businesses considering managed service providers have less confidence in their ability to detect, investigate and recover from cyberattacks than existing customers.
Only 29% of prospective customers said they could secure compromised accounts and restore operations within hours.
AI-related threats worried 59% of organizations considering a provider.
Businesses also want specialist expertise, better threat visibility and plain-language explanations of security risks.
The report says 66% of surveyed organizations already outsource security services to a managed service provider, while 29% are considering or evaluating providers.
- Who
- Businesses considering or evaluating managed service providers for cybersecurity.
- What
- A Barracuda report found that prospective customers have less confidence in handling cyberattacks and want help with recovery, AI risks and explaining security issues.
- When
- The report was covered on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Businesses are seeking providers to help them recover from attacks, manage AI risks and understand the operational effects of security problems.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Already outsourcing
- 66% of surveyed organizations
- Considering or evaluating providers
- 29% of surveyed organizations
- Restore operations within hours
- 29% of prospective MSP customers
- Concerned about AI-related threats
- 59% of organizations considering an MSP
- Plain-language explanations matter
- 40% of existing MSP customers
What people are saying
Organizations considering an MSP are not dealing with significantly more security incidents than existing MSP customers or organizations that manage security internally. The real difference is confidence