Security Hiring Strain Could Boost MSP Demand

A new IANS Research and Artico Search report shows cybersecurity employers are facing a retention problem that could create both hiring challenges and business opportunities for MSPs.

Only 34% of cybersecurity professionals surveyed said they plan to stay with their current employer over the next year, while the rest are either undecided or actively considering a move. 

For MSPs, that churn raises the stakes on talent strategy, hybrid-work flexibility, and partner-to-partner collaboration as customers continue looking for security support amid constrained budgets.

Cybersecurity workers weigh job changes

Only 34% of cybersecurity professionals intend to remain with their current employer over the next year, while the rest are either undecided or actively hunting for a change. 

Among senior security leaders, the number actively considering a change climbs to 46%.

This restlessness persists despite substantial paychecks: security analysts earn a median of $113K, and security architects reach $188K. The research suggests that actual salary levels matter less than how employees feel about their career growth and work-life balance. 

Companies that treat security as a “core organizational value” see a massive jump in career satisfaction, rising to 73% compared to just 19% at firms with weak organizational backing.

Flat budgets complicate security hiring

While broader tech headlines often focus on layoffs and hiring freezes, the cybersecurity sector faces a distinct budgetary constraint. Many organizations are under pressure to do more with flat staffing budgets, leading to increased workloads that threaten morale and the quality of security defenses. 

This shift is changing what employers look for in top talent. Matt Comyns, Artico’s co-founder and president, notes that companies are moving away from hyper-specialization toward versatility. 

He states, “As automation and Al allow security workers to gain efficiencies, we are seeing more companies opting for the broad skill sets rather than the significant depth in one specific functional area.”

Pay continues to scale directly with the organization’s complexity. Steve Martano, an IANS Faculty member and partner at Artico, explains that “These compensation numbers are highly correlated with both company scale and complexity.” 

For instance, organizations with over $5 billion in revenue pay roughly 20% above the average, while deputy CISOs show the highest earning potential, with top earners reaching $419K.

Talent gaps increase managed services demand

The flip side of the talent shortage coin is that demand for outsourcing providers is likely to continue to increase. As leaders at everyone from SMBs to large enterprises seek security on tight budgets, MSPs and other partners can step in to fill the void.

AI adoption is further driving enterprise customers to managed services as they grapple with increasing risk. Partners who can address these needs while also maintaining a focus on the fundamentals are prime to stand out in a competitive marketplace.

“What was old is new, in some ways,” Optiv CRO John Hurley told Channel Insider recently. “Most companies have always been the most concerned with protecting their intellectual property, and that’s no less true now with AI. The challenges in some ways aren’t changing, but the speed at which things need to happen is much faster now.”

Hybrid work may help MSPs compete for talent

For Managed Service Providers (MSPs) looking to attract elite talent, the secret might lie in the hybrid sweet spot. 

The report finds that professionals working on-site one to two days per week report the highest work-life balance satisfaction at 82%, even outperforming fully remote setups. 

As many firms move toward strict back-to-office mandates, MSPs that maintain this flexibility can effectively scoop up high-quality candidates who “simply will not come into the office more than one to two times per week, if at all.”

Partnering can help MSPs scale security services

There is also growing interest amongst MSPs and resellers to turn to each other for help when it comes to expanding security services and managing comple client demands. To some, partnering with a partner is the most effective way to grow offerings without headcount.

“I think MSPs get lost and overwhelmed because they think they need to have the answers for everything,” SonicWall’s SVP and GM of Managed Security Services, Michael Crean, told Channel Insider earlier this year. 

“But that’s just not possible in security now. Primary care doctors refer patients to specialists, and I think MSPs should take that approach, too.”

“We have to remind ourselves it’s okay to say, ‘I don’t know,’ and go find someone who does,” he added.