Co-managed IT combines your internal IT team with external expertise for security and strategy. Learn when this hybrid model makes sense.
You have an IT manager who keeps the lights on. But you're starting to notice gaps - cybersecurity, strategic planning, complex projects, and 24/7 monitoring are beyond their scope. Co-managed IT might be the answer. What is Co-Managed IT? Co-managed IT is a collaborative model where your internal IT team works alongside an external managed service provider. The MSP augments your in-house capabilities with specialized expertise, 24/7 monitoring, security services, and strategic guidance while your IT manager remains the primary point of contact for your staff. Think of it as adding specialized contractors to your internal team rather than replacing them. Your IT person handles day-to-day operations, while the MSP provides 24/7 security monitoring, strategic IT planning, complex project execution, security expertise and compliance frameworks, overflow helpdesk support, and vendor management. Key Characteristics of Co-Managed IT The defining feature of co-managed IT is that your IT person stays in control. They remain the primary technical contact for your employees, and the MSP works with your team rather than around them. The engagement is flexible by design -- you choose which services the MSP provides based on your specific gaps, and you can adjust the scope as your needs evolve. This makes it a cost-effective way to scale your IT capabilities, bringing in specialized expertise without the overhead of hiring full-time staff. In practice, co-managed IT gives you the best of both worlds: the personal, institutional knowledge of a local IT manager combined with the enterprise-grade capabilities of a larger provider. Co-Managed vs. Fully Managed IT: What's the Difference? The distinction is simple but important: Bottom line: Fully managed IT replaces your IT function. Co-managed IT enhances it. When Co-Managed IT Makes Sense Co-managed IT is the right choice when you have some internal IT capability but face challenges that a