Security | Threat Detection | Cyberattacks | DevSecOps | Compliance

In December, many managed service providers (MSPs) took the opportunity to review their strategies and reassess priorities, while the end of the year encourages a closer look at how the market is evolving. Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) remain very strong in the MSP sector. According to a Drake Star report, 107 transactions were recorded in the United States in Q1 2025, with a disclosed total value of more than 1 trillion dollars.

As the threat landscape evolves and client environments grow more complex, managed service providers (MSPs) are rethinking how their technology stacks work together. According to the new Acronis MSP integration trends 2025 report, this past year marked a decisive shift toward security‑first, automation‑centric and platform‑driven operations.

There are numerous ways of carrying out cyberattacks. Identity is now one of the most common ways attackers gain access to systems. Instead of malware or exploits, attackers rely on stolen credentials or reused passwords. They abuse permissions to carry out sophisticated attacks that appear normal on the surface. Basic monitoring tools cannot detect these attacks. Identity misuse is becoming more common. Many organizations now work across cloud services and remote access.

See how Torq harnesses AI in your SOC to detect, prioritize, and respond to threats faster. Request a Demo.

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are third-party companies that typically handle a portfolio of other organizations’ IT operations or day-to-day activities. This puts MSPs on the front lines of cybersecurity for numerous businesses, often in highly regulated industries, handling some of their most sensitive data. Even the most experienced MSPs struggle to securely manage passwords, credentials, sensitive files and privileged access across dozens of client environments.

In cybersecurity, incidents test more than just technical resilience ‒ they also test trust. As a managed service provider (MSP), the preventive measures you implement are critical. However, the strength of your support during your clients’ most critical times is what truly defines the trust they have in you. A cybersecurity incident may be precisely the moment when your client evaluates whether you are delivering on your promises as a quality partner for their business.

Acronis is introducing Acronis Archival Storage, a new S3-compatible cloud storage tier built specifically for long-term data retention, compliance and cost optimization. This addition strengthens the Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud platform by giving MSPs a complete, integrated solution that spans the entire data lifecycle from active protection on PCs and disaster recovery to long-term, compliant data archiving.

AI automation for managed service providers is creating a major shift from reactive to proactive service delivery, allowing MSPs to streamline ticket handling, accelerate resolution times, and operate far more efficiently. Real-world data shows that AI-driven automation can help service desks close significantly more tickets per technician by automating triage and routine tasks, while also reducing operational costs by 25 to 40 percent** through improved workflow efficiency and reduced manual labor.

Microsoft 365 is both powerful and challenging for managed service providers (MSPs). It's nearly ubiquitous at client sites, which means MSPs don't have to worry about managing multiple business suites. Unfortunately, protecting Microsoft 365 isn't easy. Microsoft's own level of protection is limited by design, and MSPs often have to cobble together a collection of unintegrated tools to keep Microsoft 365 data safe for clients. Technicians end up stretched thin as tickets pile up.