Cybercriminals purposely exploit small businesses because they tend not to take their security and IT as seriously. In other words, they’re easier targets:
What stops SMBs from gearing up with IT and security solutions?
There are several common barriers:
So, what are your options? Well, you can outsource your IT and cybersecurity or bring it in-house.
In this blog, we’ll break down the advantages and disadvantages of in-house IT vs. outsourcing and discuss whether in-house IT support is the right choice for you.
You could go back and forth for days about the advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing IT. However, here are a few we think are the most important.
Here’s the real difference between in-house IT vs. outsourcing:
Outsourced IT management has the expert staff and tools to protect you, but they’re also equipped to keep you running strategically. When you grow, your IT grows too, so your operations are always supported.
In addition to getting your day-to-day support handled, you can get your network and computers secured along with other important services, like backup, monitoring, consulting, and more.
For smaller companies, hiring a dedicated in-house IT support person might feel like the safest move. You get someone on-site, full-time who knows your system and your people. Their response times are usually fast, and their familiarity is excellent.
But here’s the reality:
95% of businesses with fewer than 100 employees don’t have a single information security professional on staff. And fewer than 30% of SMBs manage their security fully in-house.
Why? Because one person can only cover so much ground.
Most in-house IT support hires are IT generalists. They’re asked to juggle onboarding, password resets, Wi-Fi issues, device management, vendor tools, cybersecurity, etc.. It’s not that they’re bad at their jobs.
It’s that no one person can be an expert in everything.
If you go this route, just know that you’re getting a solid day-to-day helper. But probably not deep security strategy, 24/7 monitoring, or scalable protection.
The average salary for a mid-to-senior IT analyst hire in 2025 is $88,753. That’s before benefits, training, software licenses, and some trial-and-error hiring.
And, if you need more than one person, that number can be multiplied quickly. On top of that, you’ll need to account for vacation time, off-hours incidents, or resignation.
What we’re trying to say is that the costs can compound fast. If you’re hoping one person can handle endpoint protection, employee training, cloud security, risk assessments, and compliance audits, that’s a big ask. Putting that much responsibility on their shoulders is a disservice to your business as well as the person trying to keep your IT in check.
Good outsourced IT partners price by user. That means your monthly cost is based on:
The per-user pricing model is more fair and it scales with your team. As your company grows or contracts, your IT support adjusts to it without awkward hiring gaps, sunk costs, or drama.
Short answer: It can be. But not all providers are created equal.
Security and compliance require ongoing processes that require constant oversight.
Compliance Requirements
Whether it’s HIPAA, SOC 2, PCI-DSS, or something industry-specific, compliance is critical. This is essential to protecting your business.
Data Control
You should know where your data is being stored, who has access, and who can revoke it.
Visibility
If your outsourced IT management partners' processes are muddled, that’s a red flag. You need clear lines of communication, documentation, and accountability.
Documented Processes and Reporting
A good provider doesn’t just say they’re secure, they show you the work behind it. Ask for reporting dashboards, audit logs, and security workflows.
Proven Compliance and Certifications
SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and HIPAA-readiness are non-negotiables. They’re proof that your partner takes security as seriously as you do.
Clear SLAs and Escalation Paths
If something goes wrong, who’s responsible for the fix? Make sure your agreement includes clear expectations around response times, communication, and incident handling.
The honest answer? It depends. On your size, your industry, your risk tolerance, and how much your internal team can realistically take on.
There’s no one-size-fits-all; only what fits best for you.
When in-house IT support might work best:
If you need help with your IT or bridging the gap in your IT operations, co-managed IT might be the solution for you. It can help you save on costs and easily scale resources based on your changing business needs.
Sadly, not all MSPs are built the same. It’s very much in your best interest to reach out to them and make sure that it’s a good fit. Whether it’s security or daily support, the premise is the same: this is your new IT department.
Don’t hire one you don’t like. And especially don’t hire one that doesn’t fit your needs.
Something like IT should never be a one-size-fits-all approach. There are still different needs you may have, so you’ll want to communicate them with the MSP to discover your next steps to securing your business.
And hey, while you’re here…that’s actually what Ripple does. We can help you get started on your path to peace of mind with strategic, helpful IT that puts your people, not your computers, first.
If you’re ready to get started, chat with Melissa, our Director of Strategy and Revenue. She’ll let you in on how Ripple’s outsourced IT management has helped hundreds of other organizations like yours do the best work of their careers by not worrying about IT.