It’s no surprise that the most popular managed service is security. Cybersecurity threats are a daily occurrence and continue to get more sophisticated. For example, 2023 saw a 72% increase in data breaches since 2021, which held the previous record.
MSPs report that customers are requesting more information on cyber security and best practices. Companies of all sizes don’t have the in-house staff and resources to manage all their enterprise IT, security, and cloud requirements. Outsourcing IT and cybersecurity responsibilities to MSPs or MSSPs (managed security service providers) allows companies to focus on their primary business goals.
There is no better time for MSPs to invest in or expand zero trust security offerings by adding network microsegmentation to their security toolkit. MSPs servicing highly regulated industries like healthcare, finance, and critical infrastructure, where data breaches can result in severe penalties or impact large communities, the value of microsegmentation is undeniable.
4 Reasons Microsegmentation Can Help Your MSP Business
1. Enhance Your Zero Trust Offerings
As more businesses embrace cloud computing and hybrid IT environments, traditional network security approaches fail to protect dynamic infrastructures. A zero-trust security model—where every user, device, and network flow is treated as potentially hostile until verified—is necessary. Microsegmentation aligns perfectly with zero trust principles by breaking down the network into isolated segments and controlling east-west traffic within a data center or cloud environment.
Microsegmentation enhances existing IAM solutions creating a comprehensive zero trust offering. MSPs can help clients minimize the attack surface and restrict lateral movement within the network. This means that even if a breach occurs, the threat is contained within a specific segment or workload, making it much harder for attackers to access other critical assets.
2. Differentiates Your MSP Services & Creates New Revenue Streams
The MSP market is highly competitive, with many providers offering similar services such as remote monitoring, IT support, data backup, and security. To stand out, MSPs need to provide solutions that address the evolving needs of their customers. Microsegmentation helps differentiate MSPs from those that rely only on traditional firewalls, VPN solutions, and IAM.
According to Gartner, 60% of enterprises adopting zero trust will implement multiple forms of microsegmentation by 2026, up from just 5% in 2023. Adding a microsegmentation solution allows MSPs to help customers go beyond basic perimeter defense and access management. This can be a significant selling point for enterprises looking for partners who can deliver the highest levels of security and compliance.
MSPs can create new revenue streams through value-added security offerings. Microsegmentation solutions are typically offered as a premium service with the opportunity to charge for initial assessments, implementation, and ongoing management. Or bundle it with other security offerings, such as compliance management.
3. Simplify Compliance and Audit Readiness
Many businesses, especially those in regulated industries, face stringent compliance requirements around data protection and network security. For example, the U.S. federal government is now required to adopt a zero-trust architecture, and state, local, and private organizations are quickly following suit. Microsegmentation makes it easier for MSPs to help clients achieve compliance with regulatory standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, NIST SP 800-207 and others. By segmenting sensitive workloads and restricting access to authorized users only, MSPs can demonstrate that their clients have implemented robust security controls.
Microsegmentation also simplifies the process of generating audit reports. Because the network is segmented into smaller, manageable sections, it is easier to monitor and document the flow of data between different parts of the network. This level of visibility can help clients provide evidence of compliance during audits, which in turn can be a significant selling point for MSPs looking to attract clients in heavily regulated sectors.
Microsegementation can be Integrated into a MSPs existing tooling and works alongside IAM, PAM, SEIM and endpoint security solutions. Giving an MSP a power automation tool for segmentation and ensuring defense in depth for themselves and their clients.
4. Future-Proof MSP Services for Evolving Threats
The cyber threat landscape is constantly evolving, with attackers becoming more sophisticated in their tactics. Microsegmentation allows MSPs to future-proof their own security by providing granular control over network traffic, making it harder for attackers to move freely within their network or a client’s environment. With 9 out of 10 managed service providers stating they have suffered a successful cyberattack, microsegmentation adds a critical layer of protection. It supports the CISA’s recommendation for MSPs to segregate their networks and identify, group, and isolate critical business systems and apply appropriate network security controls.
MSPs can ensure they are prepared to tackle emerging threats, providing clients with peace of mind. This is especially valuable as businesses are rapidly adopting new technologies such as cloud, IoT, AI, and containerization. As these technologies increase the complexity of IT infrastructures, the need for sophisticated security measures like microsegmentation becomes even more critical.
12Port Horizon for MSPs – A Strategic Investment
MSPs looking to add microsegmentation solutions to their portfolio need a solution that is easy to manage across diverse customer environments and built for multi-tenant environments. The 12Port Horizon microsegmentation platform allows MSPs to segment and protect customer environments—on-premises, hybrid, or in the cloud—while offering unmatched visibility, control, and ease of deployment. With a scalable, multi-tenant architecture, 12Port integrates with your security stack and makes deploying Zero Trust controls effortless.
Ready to grow your business with a microsegmentation solution that doesn’t increase your complexity?
Contact us today to learn more and hear about our MSP pricing https://www.12port.com/contact-us/