Almost all MSPs are confident in their cyber capabilities, according to new research carried out by CyberSmart.
The SME security solutions provider's CyberSmart MSP Survey 2024 found that 97 per cent of MSPs surveyed suggested their organisation had either a ‘fair’ or a ‘great deal’ of cyber confidence.
However, the research, which was done by OnePoll, has also revealed that an overwhelming majority of MSPs – 87 per cent - had suffered at least one data breach in the past 12 months, with 16 per cent indicating they had experienced more than five incidents in the same timeframe.
The reported cyber confidence among MSPs appears to be projected onto MSP customers too, with respondents reporting that they believed 85 per cent of their clients had either a fair or a great deal of cyber confidence.
Among the chief concerns, both customers and providers identified ransomware and malware infection as the top one, at 55 per cent and 57 per cent respectively. For MSPs, inflation and spiralling costs came in second (43 per cent) and for customers, exploitation of unpatched or undisclosed vulnerabilities was the second most concerning threat (44 per cent).
"The associated confidence noted by MSPs is heartening but needs to reflect the reality on the ground for MSPs, and their own perception of their security posture is concerning and highlights the need for the cybersecurity to step up and work closer with Managed Service Providers," said Jamie Akhtar, co-founder and CEO at CyberSmart. "MSPs, due to the levels of privileged access they will have into multiple companies, make for an appealing target for cybercriminals. This, coupled with the fact they are responsible for the IT infrastructure of companies without IT or security resources, means it is paramount that security providers work closer with them to protect the £5.5 million SMEs, who, in many cases, turn to MSPs to keep them safe. Failure to do this could be existential for many of their customers."
MSPs have also suggested that a focus on cybersecurity training, IT policies and fostering a more security-conscious culture would help them to achieve complete cyber confidence.