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. Ultimately, profit margins suffer. The bottom line is that managing Microsoft 365 can be a major challenge.
But it doesn't have to be. MSPs can provide effective protection for Microsoft 365 without overburdening staff or hurting the bottom line.
The automation gap is costing MSPs money
MSPs without proper automation are managing 15% to 20% fewer endpoints and clients than they could be, according to MSP Success research. That's a huge barrier to potential revenue and growth.
MSPs have traditionally operated in a reactive, rather than proactive, role. When malware appears in an inbox, for instance, you remove it. Or when files get encrypted, you restore them. That firefighting approach keeps technicians busy, often too busy, and it doesn't scale. It certainly doesn't position you for profitable growth.
Enter artificial intelligence. AI enables MSPs to shift from reactive to proactive operations. Instead of waiting for incidents to occur, AI-driven systems detect risky behavior early, block threats automatically and identify misconfigurations before they cause disruption. Tasks that previously consumed hours happen automatically. Think threat analysis, configuration-drift detection, or correlating suspicious behavior across email and identity systems.
The productivity gains are immediate and measurable. Automated remediation and guided actions reduce ticket volume, minimize human error and ensure consistent protection across all client tenants. More importantly, they free your team from repetitive firefighting so they can focus on strategic work that directly grows your business.
Solving the talent problem without hiring
The cybersecurity skills gap is a crisis that disproportionately impacts MSPs. You need specialized security expertise to protect Microsoft 365 environments properly, but finding and affording that talent is increasingly difficult.
AI-guided workflows offer a practical solution. When your platform can automatically interpret threats and provide step-by-step remediation guidance, junior technicians can perform at a much higher level. They're not left guessing or searching through documentation. Instead, they can follow intelligent, contextual guidance that ensures consistently positive outcomes.
That doesn't just help with onboarding new staff. It also allows your senior engineers to focus on high-value strategic work instead of getting pulled into every security incident. The result is a more efficient team structure where experts can contribute only when they're most needed and can pursue other value-building activities in their newly free time.
Standardized, AI-supported service delivery also makes it easier to maintain uniform protection across all your clients, regardless of which technician is working on which account. This consistency reduces errors, speeds up onboarding and creates clear pathways for upselling advanced services.
Discover the best way to achieve productivity and protect Microsoft 365
Ready to transform your Microsoft 365 operations? Download our comprehensive eBook, "The ultimate guide to Microsoft 365 productivity for MSPs," to discover how AI, automation and integrated platforms can help you eliminate tool sprawl, reduce human error and deliver more comprehensive protection than ever before.
About Acronis
A Swiss company founded in Singapore in 2003, Acronis has 15 offices worldwide and employees in 50+ countries. Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud is available in 26 languages in 150 countries and is used by over 21,000 service providers to protect over 750,000 businesses.
