Why CISOs Are Turning to Managed Security Providers: The Skills Gap Dilemma

It’s a scenario playing out in boardrooms and IT war rooms across the globe: cybersecurity leaders, or CISOs, are feeling the heat. They’re juggling surging cyber threats, tightening budgets, and—perhaps most critically—an unrelenting shortage of skilled talent. As the pressure mounts, a growing number are seeking lifelines in the form of managed security service providers (MSSPs). But what’s truly driving this shift, and how can organizations make the smartest moves in this evolving landscape?

If you’re a CISO, IT manager, or business leader, you’re probably asking yourself: Can we really keep up with today’s threats on our own? Where are the boundaries between what should stay in-house versus what’s wise to outsource? And how do you build a modern, resilient security operation when the talent pool is drying up?

Let’s break down what’s happening, why it matters, and—most importantly—what you can do about it.

The Cybersecurity Skills Gap: More Than Just Empty Seats

Let’s get one thing straight: the cybersecurity skills gap isn’t simply about job ads going unfilled. It’s about teams that are stretched to their breaking point, battling an onslaught of threats while struggling to keep pace with new compliance demands and complex IT environments.

According to (ISC)², there’s a global shortage of nearly 4 million cybersecurity professionals. And the numbers are more than just statistics:

Overstretched teams are running on fumes, increasing risks of burnout and mistakes.
Training can’t keep up—with threats evolving faster than most teams can learn.
Budget cuts mean fewer resources to fill gaps or invest in new technologies.

As Robert Phan, CISO at JumpCloud, puts it:

“The cybersecurity skills gap isn’t just about unfilled roles; it’s about overstretched teams battling burnout while trying to keep pace with evolving threats, compliance demands, and business pressures.”

Here’s why that matters: when your internal team is continually fighting fires, proactive security and long-term planning fall by the wayside. That’s a recipe for trouble in today’s high-stakes landscape.

Why Managed Security Providers (MSSPs) Are in High Demand

It’s no surprise, then, that MSSPs are seeing record growth. In fact, industry analysts predict the managed security services market could top $87.5 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11–16% (source).

But numbers only tell part of the story. Here’s what’s really fueling the shift:

1. 24/7 Expertise and Coverage

Cyberattacks don’t punch a time clock. MSSPs offer around-the-clock monitoring and response when your in-house team needs to sleep, take vacations, or (let’s be honest) catch their breath.

2. Access to Specialized Skills

From threat hunting to digital forensics, MSSPs house experts you may never be able to recruit or afford on your own. This is especially valuable as new technologies and regulations emerge.

3. Cost Predictability and Efficiency

Building a fully staffed, in-house security team is expensive—often prohibitively so for small and midsize enterprises (SMEs). MSSPs spread costs across their client base, making enterprise-grade protection accessible.

4. Scalability and Flexibility

Need to ramp up protection fast? MSSPs can scale services up or down as your business evolves, without the headaches of recruitment or training.

Chris Gilmour, CTO at Axians UK, sums it up:

“MSPs offer immediate access to specialized expertise and mature operational capabilities, enabling CISOs to scale both skilled resources and critical technologies, without the delays of hiring or upskilling.”

The Growing Pressure on CISOs: Beyond Tech to Business Strategy

Once upon a time, CISOs were mostly technical guardians. Now? Their remit stretches into every corner of the business:

Regulatory compliance (think GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA)
Third-party risk management
Digital transformation and business enablement
Executive reporting and communication

This expansion means CISOs must not only defend against attackers but also drive strategic business outcomes. The workload is intense, and it’s not just large enterprises feeling the squeeze. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook, 41% of SMEs suffered a material cyber incident last year. For lean teams, that’s a staggering statistic.

If you feel like the goalposts are always moving, you’re not alone.

What Security Functions Make Sense to Outsource?

Not all security tasks are created equal. Some functions—especially those that are repeatable, operational, and require specialized tooling—are natural fits for MSSPs. Others are best kept in-house.

Prime candidates for outsourced security include:

Security Operations Center (SOC) management
Cloud platform security and monitoring
SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) & log analysis
Threat intelligence and analysis
Vulnerability scanning and patch management
Endpoint detection and response (EDR)
Firewall and network security management
Compliance tracking and audit support

Richard Tubb, MSP community leader at Tubblog, highlights the appeal:

“MSPs already have the infrastructure and staff in place to deliver these services efficiently—and at scale. That’s a huge win for CISOs who need fast results without building everything from scratch.”

But hold on—some responsibilities should never leave your house:

Security governance and strategy
Risk ownership and accountability
Executive-level reporting and board engagement
Business-aligned decision-making
Internal cyber awareness training

As Tom Lovell, principal consultant at Infinity Group, notes:

“Strategic oversight, risk assessment tailored to the business, and decision-making tied to regulatory compliance require intimate knowledge of the organization’s unique structure, processes, and risk tolerance, which external providers cannot replicate alone.”

Key takeaway:
Outsource the “engine room” functions, but keep the “captain’s chair” close to home.

Hybrid and Co-Managed Security: The Best of Both Worlds

Here’s where the story gets interesting. Increasingly, CISOs are moving beyond black-and-white choices between “in-house” and “outsourced.” Instead, hybrid and co-managed security models are on the rise.

What Is a Co-Managed Security Model?

Think of co-managed security as a partnership—your internal team and the MSSP work side-by-side. The MSSP augments your capabilities, but you retain control and visibility.

Advantages include:

Knowledge transfer: Internal teams learn from external experts, closing the long-term skills gap.
Operational control: You keep ownership of core security operations and align them with business risk.
Continuous optimization: Security tools and workflows improve over time, rather than stagnate.
Cost efficiency: You maximize existing investments, especially when dealing with complex platforms.

Steve Miller, security engineering manager at BlueVoyant, explains:

“Unlike traditional managed services, which often involve outsourcing entire functions, co-managed approaches are designed to work alongside internal teams—augmenting their capabilities rather than replacing them.”

When Does Hybrid Make Sense?

A hybrid approach works especially well when:

You have mature, well-defined processes for some functions, but need help scaling or modernizing others.
Your team is overwhelmed by operational demands but still needs to own strategy and risk.
Regulatory requirements demand direct oversight of certain activities, while others can be safely delegated.

Jordan Schroeder, managing CISO at Barrier Networks, puts it well:

“For organizations with immature or ad hoc cybersecurity functions, outsourcing can accelerate the development of necessary definition and maturity, provided the MSP understands that their role includes guiding organizational development.”

The SME Challenge: Leveling the Playing Field

Small and midsize businesses often feel outgunned in the cyber arms race. With fewer resources and smaller teams, it’s tough to compete with organizations that can afford in-house security operations centers and armies of analysts.

But here’s the good news: MSSPs help level the playing field. By pooling resources across multiple clients, they provide access to:

Advanced security tools and platforms
24/7 monitoring and rapid response
Specialized expertise (think: threat hunters, incident responders, compliance experts)
Regular vulnerability scanning and remediation

Afshin Attari, director at Exponential-e, explains:

“Managed service providers bring deep expertise, 24/7 monitoring, and access to cutting-edge tools that would be prohibitively expensive to develop in-house.”

For SMEs, this means you no longer have to choose between robust security and staying within budget.

Enterprise Realities: Even the Big Players Need Help

It’s not just SMEs feeling the pinch. Larger enterprises are also grappling with:

The challenge of recruiting and retaining specialized talent
Keeping up with advanced security technologies
Maintaining certifications and regulatory compliance across sprawling environments

Daryl Flack, partner at Avella Security, points out that MSSPs offer real value for organizations of all sizes:

“By partnering with MSSPs, CISOs gain access to a deep bench of highly skilled professionals and leading-edge technology. This approach empowers organizations to mitigate the risks associated with limited in-house resources.”

Even if you already have an in-house security team, MSSPs can help you scale up coverage, add new capabilities, or fill temporary gaps—without the delays and costs of hiring.

How to Choose the Right MSSP: Questions Every CISO Should Ask

Choosing an MSSP isn’t just about signing a contract and handing over the keys. The right provider should be a true partner—one that understands your business, your risks, and your goals.

Ask these questions before you commit:

What expertise and certifications do they bring?
How do they ensure 24/7 coverage and rapid response?
What technologies and platforms do they support?
How do they handle regulatory compliance and reporting?
How will they work with (not just for) your internal team?
What are their incident response and escalation processes?
How transparent are they with metrics, reporting, and communications?
Do they offer flexible or co-managed models?

Pro tip: Request references and case studies from organizations of similar size or industry.

Training and Upskilling: MSSPs as Catalysts for Internal Growth

While outsourcing helps bridge gaps, it shouldn’t be the end of your talent strategy. The best MSSP relationships foster learning and growth inside your organization.

Ways MSSPs can help upskill your team:

Joint incident response exercises
Custom knowledge transfer sessions
Ongoing workshops and training on new tools or threats
Regular debriefs and post-incident reviews

Collaborative models not only keep your organization secure today, but also help you grow internal talent for tomorrow.

Managed Security in the Cloud Era: A New Frontier

As organizations shift to cloud-native platforms and hybrid work models, the attack surface grows—and the security landscape gets even more complex.

MSSPs are evolving to support:

Identity, access, and device management across cloud platforms (think Okta, Azure AD, AWS IAM)
Zero trust architectures that assume no network or user can be trusted by default
API security and DevSecOps integrations for agile development teams
Automated threat detection and response using AI and machine learning

If your business is accelerating its digital transformation, a modern MSSP can be a crucial ally in keeping your data, people, and operations safe.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Outsourcing Security

Let’s be real: outsourcing isn’t a silver bullet. Here are some missteps to watch for:

Outsourcing strategy, not just operations: Keep core decision-making and risk ownership in-house.
Assuming all MSSPs are equal: Capabilities, culture, and expertise vary widely—do your homework.
Neglecting internal governance: Maintain strong oversight, policies, and regular reviews.
Failing to align on communication: Set expectations for transparency and reporting upfront.

Remember, an MSSP should amplify your strengths—not become a crutch for deeper organizational gaps.

Final Takeaway: Build a Security Posture That Lasts

The cybersecurity skills gap isn’t going away anytime soon. But by embracing managed security providers—and doing so thoughtfully—you can bridge critical gaps, ease the burden on your internal team, and build a more resilient, future-ready security posture.

Here’s what I recommend:

Assess your current capabilities and pain points honestly.
Define what to outsource versus what to keep in-house.
Choose partners who will grow with you—not just for you.
Invest in both external expertise and internal upskilling.
Treat security as a business enabler, not just an IT issue.

Need more insight on building your security strategy? Subscribe to our updates and keep exploring—because protecting your organization is a journey, not a destination.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What advanced security technologies do MSSPs offer today?

Most MSSPs leverage technologies like SIEM platforms, EDR/XDR solutions, AI-driven threat detection, vulnerability management, and automated incident response. Many also offer cloud-native security tools, zero trust implementations, and integrations with popular platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. For more, see Gartner’s guide to MSSPs.

How big is the cybersecurity skills gap—and how does it impact resilience?

The gap is enormous. (ISC)² estimates a global shortage of nearly 4 million cybersecurity professionals. This shortage leaves teams overstretched, increases burnout, and makes it harder to respond to threats quickly, impacting overall cyber-resilience. Learn more at ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study.

What CISO responsibilities are expanding beyond technical oversight?

Modern CISOs now oversee regulatory compliance, third-party risk, digital transformation, executive communications, and business enablement—on top of technical security operations.

What are the best training approaches for addressing the skills gap?

A mix of on-the-job training, formal certifications, knowledge transfer from MSSPs, and regular tabletop exercises work best. Collaborative, co-managed models with MSSPs can accelerate learning.

How does evolving IT infrastructure drive MSSP adoption?

Cloud migration, hybrid work, and IoT expansion increase complexity and the attack surface. MSSPs help by providing scalable, up-to-date security and 24/7 coverage across diverse environments.

Ready to future-proof your security operations?
Stay tuned for more expert insights—or reach out for a personalized strategy review. Your organization’s cyber resilience starts with the right knowledge, the right partners, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

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Why CISOs Are Turning to Managed Security Providers: The Skills Gap Dilemma

The Cybersecurity Skills Gap: More Than Just Empty Seats