What is co-managed IT?

Co-managed IT exists because growing businesses outgrow single-person IT but aren't big enough for a full department. Your internal person knows your business intimately; the MSP brings depth, 24/7 coverage, and specialized expertise. Together they cover what one alone can't.

How co-managed works in practice

Typical division of labor:

• Internal IT handles: Daily user support, software installs, password resets, hardware moves, vendor relationships your team already manages, and the institutional knowledge of how your business actually runs
• MSP handles: Cybersecurity operations, 24/7 monitoring, after-hours coverage, complex projects, strategic planning, vendor consolidation, compliance support, and the specialized expertise (cloud, security, infrastructure) one person can't be world-class at

Common co-managed engagements

• Security operations — MSP runs 24/7 SOC, EDR, identity protection; internal team handles user-facing security questions
• Project execution — MSP delivers the M365 migration / network refresh; internal team keeps the lights on during the project
• Vacation / coverage backup — MSP covers when your internal person is out, removes the "one resignation away from crisis" risk
• vCIO / strategic planning — MSP provides senior strategic thinking; internal team executes
• Compliance support — MSP runs the framework readiness program; internal team operates the controls

Why it's growing

The cost of one senior internal IT person (~$110K-$160K all-in) is more than most mid-market businesses can justify, but a single mid-level IT person can't cover everything modern businesses need. Co-managed solves the math: keep your in-house person at ~$80K, add an MSP for $4K-$15K/month, get coverage that would otherwise require a $250K+ internal team.