More than half (52%) of organizations in the Asia-Pacific region want managed service providers (MSPs) to help them manage a spiraling number of disconnected security tools and vendors, and 51% turn to MSPs to evolve their security strategies as the business expands.
Also, just under half (48%) say they rely on MSPs for around-the-clock security coverage. These figures underscore the indispensable role MSPs play in modern cybersecurity landscapes.
This is from a Barracuda report, based on a survey done by Vanson Bourne in April and May 2025. It gathered insights from 2,000 IT and security decision makers across the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific (Australia, India, and Japan).
The research shows that most APAC organisations partner or want to partner with an MSP. Among respondents, 73% say they already work with an MSP. This figure rises to 96% if those evaluating or considering collaboration were added.
Also, the MSP client base has expanded significantly. MSPs have traditionally been seen as a resource for smaller businesses, but the survey found that 85% of APAC organisations with 1,000 to 2,000 employees now depend on MSPs for security support, compared to 61% of smaller companies with 50 to 100 employees.
In addition, over the next two years, there will be high demand for MSP expertise in AI and machine learning applications, as well as for network security measures such as zero trust and managed security operations.
Further, customers in APAC are prepared to pay MSPs up to 25% more for the services and support they need. As many as 92% of APAC organisations are willing to pay a premium for advanced support in integrating their security tools.
In return, customer expectations are high. Customers in APAC will consider switching providers if their current MSP fails to meet key expectations.
Concerns include the MSP’s ability to help them remediate and recover from a cyberattack, and the MSP’s own security resilience. Among customers, 45% would switch if their MSP cannot demonstrate the skills and expertise required to deliver 24/7 security support.
“These findings highlight the pivotal role MSPs play in helping customers navigate the complexities of modern cybersecurity,” said Brian Downey, VP of product management at Barracuda.
“From addressing disconnected security tools to meeting high customer expectations for resilience and advanced support, MSPs face both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges,”
Mark Lukie, Barracuda director of solution architects in APAC, said that
most IT teams simply don’t have the time, budget or in-house expertise to manage the increasing complexity we are seeing.
That’s why MSPs are becoming such critical partners, especially as demand for advanced services like AI integration and 24/7 monitoring continues to rise,” said Lukie. “Organisations aren’t just looking for support — they’re looking for MSPs who can lead and evolve with them.”
