Maximizing profitability: Why MSSPs must rethink their partnership strategy

The managed security service provider (MSSP) business thrives on profit margins, efficiency and scalability. Success depends on making smart business decisions, and one of the most crucial is selecting the right vendor. The ideal technology partner should offer more services at a lower cost, provide the right tools and actively support your business growth.

An MSSP that operates efficiently can scale faster, reduce operational costs and increase profitability. However, managing multiple security tools across different customers introduces complexity. Training staff on multiple platforms, switching between different interfaces, and handling fragmented security solutions create inefficiencies that erode margins.

The key to success lies in partnering with the right technology provider — one that delivers a unified, scalable solution to streamline operations while maximizing profitability.

Choosing an EDR and XDR strategy is not just a technical decision — it’s a business decision. The deployment model you select will determine how efficiently your MSSP scales, how profitable your services remain, and how effectively you retain customers.

MSSPs today follow one of three approaches when offering EDR and XDR solutions.

1. Vendor-agnostic MSSP partners

These MSSPs allow customers to bring their own EDR and XDR solutions, offering flexibility, but creating inefficiencies. Managing a wide range of tools presents challenges such as:

• Training staff on multiple, often complex products.

• Operating in different interfaces for every customer.

• Increasing service delivery costs due to tool fragmentation.

2. MSSPs with a select list of supported EDR and XDR vendors

These MSSPs standardize on a limited number of solutions, balancing flexibility with efficiency. Their model includes:

• Training staff on multiple but limited EDR and XDR products.

• Managing a smaller set of tools, reducing some operational complexity.

• Still requiring multiplatform expertise, which can increase costs.

3. Embedded EDR and XDR MSSPs

The most streamlined approach, these MSSPs fully integrate a single EDR and XDR solution into their service offering. They benefit from:

• A single, multitenant platform for all customers.

• Reduced training costs since staff only need expertise in one solution.

• A highly efficient, scalable and profitable business model.

Many MSSPs are realizing that moving from a vendor-agnostic model to an embedded EDR and XDR approach unlocks significant business advantages. By consolidating onto Acronis, MSSPs gain:

1. Higher profit margins

With Acronis, MSSPs sell more for less. The platform does not just provide EDR and XDR but integrates patch management, disaster recovery, and compliance alignment with the NIST framework. This increases the number of use cases per client, driving higher profit margins while keeping costs low.

2. Lower operational costs

An embedded model allows MSSPs to:

• Train staff on only one solution, reducing onboarding and training costs.

• Operate from a single, multitenant console, minimizing tool switching and operational overhead.

• Lower customer acquisition costs by offering a complete, standardized security stack.

3. Increased customer retention and service stickiness

Customers tend to stay with providers who offer not just security but business continuity. Acronis combines cybersecurity with backup and disaster recovery, making it difficult for customers to switch providers. The more integrated the service, the less likely a customer is to leave.

Acronis is more than just an EDR and XDR vendor. It is a fully integrated cybersecurity and resilience platform designed specifically for MSSPs. By joining this Partner Program, MSSPs get:

1. Access to 20,000+ MSPs

Acronis has a vast ecosystem of 20,000+ MSPs worldwide, many of whom are looking to enhance their security offerings with MDR services. As an MSSP partner, you have the opportunity to position yourself as a trusted security provider within this network.

This program opens doors for you to:

• Expand your customer base by offering managed security services.

• Build strategic partnerships with MSPs seeking MDR expertise.

• Increase revenue opportunities by delivering high-demand security services.

Acronis provides the technology, support, and visibility to help MSSPs grow their business and establish themselves as leading security providers. This is your chance to differentiate yourself in a competitive market while unlocking new revenue streams.

2. A fully integrated cybersecurity ecosystem

Why struggle with multiple vendors when Acronis gives you everything in one platform? Our single-agent, single-console solution combines:

• EDR and XDR — AI-driven threat detection and response.

• Backup and Disaster Recovery — Built-in resilience for business continuity.

• Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) — Unified IT and security management.

• Advanced threat protection — AI-powered automated defenses against evolving cyberthreats.

With Acronis, you are not just securing endpoints. You are ensuring total cyber resilience.

3. Flexibility and profitability at the core

Forget rigid pricing structures. Acronis gives you full control over MDR service pricing, SLAs and delivery models, so you can:

• Maximize profitability with flexible pricing.

• Create customized service packages for different customer needs.

• Scale your business without increasing operational complexity.

4. Partner with ease: Seamless integration and instant revenue potential

• Onboard quickly with a simplified setup.      
• Integrate effortlessly with your existing security stacks.

• Start generating revenue with a proven cybersecurity business model.

This seamless approach allows you to scale efficiently while maintaining service excellence.

5. Growth through joint marketing and learning support

Acronis provides comprehensive joint-marketing support to help MSSPs expand their reach and attract more customers. From co-branded campaigns to lead-generation programs, Acronis offers the resources and assistance needed to drive awareness and accelerate business growth.

To further empower MSSPs, Acronis offers easy-to-access learning portals with training, certifications and step-by-step guidance. These resources ensure that MSSPs can quickly onboard their teams, stay ahead of industry trends and maximize the value of Acronis solutions. With marketing and educational support combined, MSSPs can scale faster and establish themselves as trusted security providers.

Becoming an Acronis MSSP partner is a strategic move that positions you for success in the cybersecurity market. The Assess, Certify and Execute (ACE) framework ensures a smooth onboarding process, equipping you with the right tools, expertise and resources to launch and scale your MDR services effectively.

Assess — Evaluate your MSSP capabilities and security offerings to align with Acronis’ advanced cybersecurity solutions.

Certify — Complete the required training and certification to demonstrate your expertise in delivering MDR services powered by Acronis EDR and XDR.

Execute — Successful execution is only achievable when partners integrate not just on the business front but also on the technology front. We require our MSSP partners who have signed up for this program to integrate with our solutions using our provided APIs to deliver a truly world-class solution to end users.

With Acronis by your side, you gain the technology, support and market access needed to expand your MSSP business and drive profitability. The next phase of your MSSP journey starts now.

Join the Acronis MSSP Partner Program today.