When analyzing the Managed Service Provider (MSP) Outlook 2025this specialized group of professionals in the technology and IT sector is likely to find itself at a crucial moment. We see a crossroads where the convergence of rapid digital transformation and increasingly complex customer expectations will present both challenges and opportunities in equal measure.
As organizations continue to grapple with strict cybersecurity standards, as well as the adoption of cloud and IoT services, MSPs must not only address these challenges, but also leverage them as catalysts for growth.
MSPs proactively adapting to their clients’ changing needs can improve operational effectiveness, build stronger relationships, and ultimately turn potential roadblocks into avenues for innovation and success.
On the other hand, it is essential that MSPs maintain the pace set by the sector and champion their position as leaders, in order to remain competitive in a world in which adaptability is crucial to attracting and retaining clients. In this context, below are the key trends that I believe will shape the MSP sector in 2025.
1 AI-powered automation sets a new standard
AI-based automation has become a critical element of modern cybersecurity practices, setting an industry standard to prevent ever-evolving threats. AI is used for predictive maintenance, patch management, vulnerability assessment, and phishing simulations. Additionally, AI automates ticket processing through predefined responses, chatbots, and automated actions.
For their part, MSPs are increasingly using AI to monitor suspicious behavior, automate responses to cyber threats, and prevent malicious actions.
2 Implementation of the zero trust model (Zero Trust)
Zero Trust will become the default approach to network security, radically transforming the way organizations manage user access and protect IT resources.
This shift is driven by the realization that traditional perimeter-based security models are no longer sufficient to address the complexities and threats of modern digital environments. MSPs must integrate zero trust principles into their service offerings to provide robust, scalable solutions that not only meet customer needs but also meet regulatory requirements.
3 Perfect adoption of multicloud
With multi-cloud adoption booming, expected to continue growing through 2025, most MSPs will need to manage multiple cloud environments to optimize costs and achieve greater performance. As multicloud strategies become essential to modern IT infrastructure, MSPs already offer multicloud support as part of their service portfolios. In 2025, this support will go from being an extra to becoming a necessity, as it remains a critical component of today’s IT infrastructure.
4 Leveraging integrated cybersecurity platforms
Integrated cybersecurity platforms are essential components of modern business strategies, reflecting a shift in the way businesses perceive cybersecurity. Instead of functioning as standalone solutions, cybersecurity is now interconnected with business continuity and endpoint management.
This comprehensive approach ensures that organizations can defend against threats and maintain operational resilience in the face of potential disruptions. By 2025, MSPs will need to offer comprehensive, integrated security solutions to position themselves as essential partners in supporting their customers’ long-term resilience and cybersecurity maturity.
5 IoT management becomes paramount
In addition to conventional endpoints, MSPs must consider Internet of Things (IoT) devices. While IoT technology improves operational efficiency and enables innovative solutions, it has also become a target for attackers as it can be used as an entry point. For MSPs, IoT security and management protocols need to be implemented to ensure all connected devices are protected.
6 Leveraging verticalization and training
Competition among managed service providers is intensifying. Before COVID-19, most MSPs primarily served customers in their local area. However, during and after the pandemic, even smaller MSPs began offering services to remote clients in other states and even other countries. This expansion of coverage, coupled with the rise of remote work, means that MSPs must make a difference in their offerings to remain competitive.
MSPs specialize in industries based on regulatory compliance requirements, as well as software and specialized requirements. As compliance regulations become more complex, MSPs often need more talent to support multiple industries, and they must also choose the specific verticals where they can provide the most value.
To remain competitive, MSPs should also consider investing in ongoing training and skills development to ensure their staff and IT technicians are well prepared to offer specialized services across sectors and regions.
7 Support for teleworkers
The transition to exclusively remote work environments is becoming permanent in the business landscape. Both MSPs and enterprise IT professionals must not only adapt their strategies, tools and methodologies to be able to offer effective support to this new way of working that is here to stay, but also maintain a perfect balance between convenience and productivity with regulatory and cybersecurity requirements.
8 “Everything as a Service” Trends
The concept of Everything as a Service (XaaS) is gaining more and more ground in various sectors, and in turn is radically transforming the way in which companies consume technology and certain services.
This model goes beyond traditional software and infrastructure to encompass many other services, such as data storage, cybersecurity, backup, applications or consulting. Ultimately, MSPs must adapt to offering subscription services to meet customer demand.
9 Growth of predictive analytics
Predictive analytics is already a growing trend and is expected to become much more relevant in 2025 as MSPs look to leverage large amounts of data. Thanks to advances in data collection and artificial intelligence technology, companies can analyze real-time and historical data to predict future trends, behaviors, and results.
These advances are radically transforming decision-making processes in different sectors. However, protecting data used in AI processing is becoming critical, as cyber attackers can manipulate AI-based decisions by modifying the data on which AI is based for machine learning or correctness. execution.
10 Increasing importance of energy efficiency
The availability of electrical power for data centers running complex AI-based workloads is becoming a real challenge, as energy efficiency directly impacts the ability of businesses to perform complex computing tasks. As a result, there will be an increase in the number of customers who start looking for energy saving solutions.
For MSPs, this presents a great opportunity to offer services that help customers improve energy use in data centers, whether by optimizing workloads or advising on sustainable practices, in order to to become valuable partners that effectively manage both operational costs and environmental impact.
Signed: Gaidar Magdanurov, President of Acronis
