Why most MSPs and MSSPs will soon offer vCISO services
The 2024 State of the vCISO Report continues our tradition of exploring the rapidly evolving landscape of vCISO services. As we predicted last year, the trend of offering vCISO services is on the rise, and this year’s findings confirm it—providers and clients alike are experiencing significant benefits.
On the other hand, service providers aiming to expand into vCISO offerings face notable challenges, including bridging technological gaps and overcoming limited expertise in security and compliance.
Read all you need to know about this latest trend in the report, some highlights below.
Nearly all MSPs and MSSPs that don’t currently offer vCISO services — a whopping 98% — plan to add vCISO services to their offering.
Offering vCISO services provides a wide range of business benefits and opportunities to MSPs and MSSPs. The top 3 are improving customer security (46%), increasing client engagement (44%) and increasing margins (37%). This shows that the business benefits are aligned with customer needs, creating a win-win situation for all.
Service providers face technological challenges, and skills and resources shortages.
Nearly a ⅓ of MSPs and MSSPs state they lack the technology to support the service.
More than ¼ state they have limited security or compliance knowledge and are worried about the high initial investment.
93% of service providers feel overwhelmed by cybersecurity frameworks including NIST or ISO.
74% of respondents feel overwhelmed by regulatory compliance frameworks such as PCI-DSS or GDPR.
Only 2% are not overwhelmed at all.
Service providers who use a dedicated vCISO platform enjoy the standardization of work processes, accelerated onboarding of their new employees, easy access to compliance frameworks and increased revenue, among other multiple benefits.
vCISO services are a pressing market need. 75% of MSPs and MSSPs report that they are in high demand. A further 19% cite they are in moderate demand.
Find out more insights on the vCISO landscape for 2025 and beyond.
vCISO services allow MSPs and MSSPs to scale their business and improve customer security. By offering services like risk management, vulnerability management, compliance, reporting and security planning and execution, they become true security leaders and partners for their customers. And with customers demanding vCISO services from MSPs and MSSPs, this is the sure way for service providers to realize their full potential.
Cynomi commissioned this survey to understand the true state of the vCISO market. The survey included 200 senior security leaders (CEOs, CIOs, CISOs, COOs, vCISOs, Heads of Security and Senior Security Consultants) in MSPs and MSSPs. The respondents were from North America and employ 50 or more employees. They all provide cybersecurity strategic services or cybersecurity consulting. The respondents were recruited through a global B2B research panel, and invited via email to complete the survey. Global Surveyz, an independent survey company, completed the survey which took place during June and July 2024.
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