5 Cybersecurity Predictions for 2020

As 2019 comes to a close, MSPs should already be ramping up their plans to grow their customer and product base in 2020. Cybersecurity will continue to present massive challenges for everyone’s client base, and even those MSPs that aren’t currently in the security market will find themselves inexorably drawn into working with security solutions. The continued focus on security as a top concern as we head into the New Year is not surprising, but certain dynamics will certainly influence shifts in the cybersecurity landscape.

To help MSPs better target their resources and position themselves for success, here are a few predictions about what the security landscape is going to look like in the near future.

1. Consolidation will drive security innovation.

Security has been an essential catalyst for the MSP marketplace: The dynamic threat environment has challenged MSPs to evolve their offerings and skillsets, and to move beyond basic toolsets (i.e., antivirus) by providing their customers with more comprehensive, security-centric solutions. At the same time, MSPs are driving vendors to expand their security offerings beyond antivirus.

Most of this expansion has come in the form of mergers and acquisitions, rather than organized R&D, and we expect that will continue in 2020.

2. The cybersecurity talent shortage will continue.

Not all MSPs have the capacity to meet the security needs and requirements of their customers. Using an outsourced security operation center (SOC) is one way an MSP can combat the talent shortage.

MSPs will also need to embrace cloud security (beyond email) and ensure that they’re protecting their customers’ desktop and application infrastructures. A SOC can help automate the monitoring and management of workloads in the cloud from a tactical standpoint, while the MSP’s staff focuses on more strategic initiatives. If you’re an MSP who doesn’t currently have a security partner, 2020 is the year to get one.

Furthermore, integrating your RMM tool and your security portfolio will enable you to stretch your resources further, through automation.

3. Automation and cybersecurity awareness training will be critical.

Traditional email security products have difficulty protecting against attacks such as targeted spear phishing that are becoming more prevalent and are also much harder to detect.

Consider these statistics from a recent email security report from Barracuda:

• 74 percent of respondents said that email attacks are having a significant impact on their businesses.
• 78 percent of organizations said that the cost of email breaches is increasing.
• 66 percent claimed that attacks had a direct monetary cost on their organization in the past year.
• Nearly a quarter of respondents advised that attacks have cost their organization $100,000 or more.
• 79 percent of IT professionals said they’re worried about attacks and breaches stemming from inside the organization.
• 92 percent of Office 365 users have security concerns.

In 2020, there will be a continued emphasis placed on