Why MSSPs Are the Cybersecurity Solution Amid the Talent Shortage

According to Gartner, global IT spending in 2024 is projected to reach USD 5.26 trillion, a 7.5% increase over 2023. Notably, spending on data centers is expected to surge by 24% and software by 12.6%, driven largely by the growing adoption of AI models and increasingly complex digital systems. This expansion translates into a sharp rise in workloads related to operations and security, putting CIOs and IT teams under unprecedented pressure. 

At the same time, (ISC)² reports a worldwide shortage of more than 4 million cybersecurity professionals. The gap between the pace of technology investment and the availability of skilled talent is creating significant vulnerabilities for enterprises. In this context, Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) have emerged as the optimal solution, filling critical resource gaps while ensuring security and business continuity. 

The Widening Cybersecurity Talent Gap

Vietnam faces similar challenges to the global market. Surveys show that only 11.67% of IT professionals in the country are considered highly skilled. Even when companies are willing to pay a premium, retaining talent remains a constant struggle. 

As a result, many IT Managers in mid- to large-sized enterprises are forced to juggle multiple roles, ranging from system administration and cybersecurity to user support. This overstretch not only reduces efficiency but also raises the likelihood of errors when responding to incidents. 

Against this backdrop, the rapid escalation of ransomware and phishing attacks is making the talent shortage even more critical, leaving businesses exposed at a time when resilience matters most. 

The cybersecurity talent gap places enormous pressure on businesses as cyberattack risks continue to rise.  

Why the Cybersecurity Talent Shortage Has Become a “Bottleneck” 

The shortage of cybersecurity professionals is no longer a simple HR challenge, it has become a strategic bottleneck for enterprises, manifesting across several dimensions: 

Gaps in Monitoring & Response

As IT environments grow increasingly complex with cloud, AI, and distributed data centers, enterprises require skilled experts for continuous monitoring. Yet, the talent shortage leaves many organizations unable to operate Security Operations Centers (SOCs) or deploy advanced defenses. Attackers are exploiting this gap: global ransomware incidents surged 151% in 2023 (Check Point 2023), underscoring how understaffed systems are prime targets. 

The Compounding Cost Effect

Insufficient staff leads to delayed detection and slower incident response, driving up direct costs from system recovery and data loss. According to the World Bank (2024), cyberattacks could inflict USD 10.5 trillion in damages by 2025, equivalent to 9.1% of global GDP. This highlights how inadequate cybersecurity capacity not only increases risk but also escalates total operational and remediation costs to unsustainable levels. 

SMEs at the Breaking Point

Most small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) lack the budget and scale to maintain even a minimum modern security force. Running a 24/7 SOC requires multiple shifts, tiered engineering roles, and specialized functions such as alert analysis, threat hunting, and platform administration. With limited resources, SMEs cannot fill these roles, leaving coverage gaps and response capabilities below critical thresholds. The World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025 reports that 71% of security leaders believe SMEs have reached a “tipping point” where they can no longer defend themselves against increasingly complex risks. 

The cybersecurity talent shortage has become a strategic weakness, increasing both risks and costs for businesses. 

Loss of Market and Customer Trust

When a security incident occurs without adequate dedicated staff, enterprises often respond too slowly, triggering a trust crisis. According to The World Bank (2024), companies can lose 1-2% of their stock value within just days of disclosing a breach. In addition, large-scale data leaks often result in a 5-9% erosion of intangible brand asset value. This transforms technical risk into a direct business risk, impacting growth targets, market share, and senior leadership’s credibility. 

In other words, the shortage of cybersecurity professionals not only raises operational risk but also creates a domino effect across finance and markets, making it far more difficult for enterprises to sustain growth in the digital era.

Standard Choices Businesses Often Make

To address the cybersecurity talent gap, organizations, depending on their size and financial capacity, have experimented with different security approaches:

Common options such as in-house hiring, partial outsourcing, or relying solely on security tools each have limitations, making it difficult for businesses to build a truly resilient security framework.

While these approaches may ease pressure to some extent, they fall short of delivering a continuous, end-to-end defense. This is precisely why Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) are increasingly becoming the preferred choice for organizations. 

What is an MSSP?

An MSSP (Managed Security Service Provider) is an outsourced cybersecurity model where a specialized provider manages most or all of an organization’s security operations. It is not merely a technical service, but a way for enterprises to gain an “extended team” of highly skilled professionals in the face of an ongoing cybersecurity talent shortage. 

Instead of investing heavily in building an in-house SOC which hires multiple security engineers, covering recruitment and continuous training costs, and managing turnover risk, businesses can rely on an MSSP for comprehensive protection while optimizing expenses. 

With over 30 years of experience, NetNam delivers end-to-end MSSP solutions, including: 

• 24/7/365 Security Monitoring: Continuous surveillance of IT systems to detect anomalies and provide early warnings of potential attacks. 

• Vulnerability Scanning & Penetration Testing: Regular assessments and simulated attack scenarios to evaluate real-world defense capabilities. 

• Incident Response & Strategic Advisory: Timely resolution of incidents combined with long-term guidance to help enterprises build sustainable security roadmaps. 

• Clear SLAs & Transparent Reporting: Service commitments backed by measurable KPIs, along with periodic reporting that gives leadership full visibility for decision-making.

MSSP – A comprehensive outsourced cybersecurity solution that enables enterprises to operate securely without the need for a large, costly in-house team.

The key advantage of an MSSP lies in the fact that organizations do not need to maintain a large, resource-heavy internal team—difficult and costly to recruit in today’s talent shortage—yet still receive comprehensive protection from experienced experts and advanced security tools. This ensures safe, continuous operations while optimizing costs.

What Should Enterprises Consider When Choosing an MSSP? 

Successful implementation depends on accurately assessing business needs, selecting the right provider, and ensuring smooth integration with existing infrastructure. Before making a decision, organizations should evaluate several critical factors: 

• Integration with existing infrastructure: Prevent disruptions during MSSP deployment. 

• Expert team & international certifications: Look for credentials such as Cisco, ISO, AWS, ITIL to validate expertise. 

• Flexible service model: Ability to scale with business growth and evolving needs. 

• Rapid response capability: Ensure incidents are addressed promptly to minimize damage. 

• Cost efficiency: Compared to in-house hiring and training, MSSPs are often the more cost-effective choice.

Strengthening Security Capabilities with MSSPs

The value of an MSSP extends beyond technology, it delivers measurable business outcomes. NetNam’s projects with Golden Group, Somerset, and New World Saigon Hotel have proven that MSSPs not only secure IT systems but also ensure uninterrupted operations even in increasingly complex digital environments. 

Amid the global shortage of cybersecurity professionals, MSSPs are emerging as a strategic solution that enables enterprises to maintain the highest levels of security while keeping costs under control. 

Contact us today to explore the right MSSP solution for your business, helping your organization grow with greater safety and sustainability. 

Contact NetNam: 

• Hotline: 1900 1586 

• Email: support@netnam.vn 

• Website: www.netnam.com