Compare in-house IT, solo consultants, and managed service providers. Use a simple readiness checklist to decide if an MSP model fits your business.
Three Common IT Support Models Most businesses rely on one of three models: an internal IT hire, a solo consultant or break/fix provider, or a managed service provider. Each has strengths and trade-offs, and the right choice depends on your firm's size, complexity, risk profile, and growth plans. In-house IT hire An internal IT hire brings deep knowledge of your firm, direct control over priorities, and a strong in-person presence that staff often appreciate. They understand your workflows, know the quirks of your systems, and can respond to issues without a ticket queue standing in the way. The limitations tend to surface over time. It is difficult for a single person to provide coverage around the clock, and keeping skills current across both security and cloud platforms is a tall order for any one individual. Perhaps the biggest risk is continuity: if your IT person leaves, takes extended leave, or is unavailable during a critical incident, the business can be left exposed with limited documentation to fall back on. Solo "IT person" / break/fix Solo consultants and break/fix providers offer a lower up-front cost, a familiar working relationship, and the flexibility to engage them only when you need help. For very small businesses with straightforward environments, this model can feel efficient and personal. However, the support is inherently reactive. Documentation is often sparse, with critical knowledge living in the consultant's head rather than in a shared system. When a major incident hits - a ransomware event, a widespread outage, or a compliance inquiry - the limitations of a one-person, on-demand model become painfully apparent. There is no team behind them, and their availability during your worst moment is never guaranteed. Managed service provider (MSP) A managed service provider brings proactive monitoring, a structured security program, and a team with varied