Why Cutting Corners on IT Support Can Undermine Your Internal Team (and Your Business)
If your business has an internal IT team, co-managed IT support can be a smart, scalable way to extend your capabilities without overloading your staff. But be careful: not all co-managed IT providers are created equal.
A low-cost co-managed agreement might seem like a win at first—affordable monthly pricing, supplemental support, a few extra tools. But dig deeper, and you’ll often find those “budget” providers are quietly cutting corners, leaving your internal team exposed, overwhelmed, and under-supported when it matters most.
Here are five hidden pitfalls we see time and time again with cut-rate co-managed providers—and how they can sabotage your IT operations and bottom line.
1. Security Gaps That Put Everyone at Risk
Your internal IT team might have a solid foundation, but true cybersecurity takes layered protection—and budget co-managed partners often stop at the basics.
We’ve seen providers install bare-minimum antivirus, skip multi-factor authentication, and offer zero guidance on endpoint security or user awareness training. That leaves your internal team holding the bag when something goes wrong—and in today’s cyber landscape, it’s only a matter of time.
Worse, without advanced protections, your cyber insurance claims could be denied. A good co-managed partner should strengthen your security posture, not leave it up to chance.
2. Incomplete Backup Strategies That Leave Data Unprotected
Your IT team might be backing up critical servers—but what about Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, CRMs, and third-party SaaS apps?
Most budget MSPs ignore those platforms entirely or rely on the default retention policies. That’s a disaster waiting to happen. Even worse, many don’t offer immutable backups—a non-negotiable for ransomware resilience and cyber insurance compliance.
In a true co-managed model, your partner should complement your backup efforts with comprehensive coverage and regular testing, not guesswork.
3. Unexpected Fees That Break the Budget
Budget co-managed IT providers often advertise low monthly rates—but then charge extra for after-hours support, on-site visits, or even emergency escalations. This creates friction, slows response times, and forces your team to think twice before calling for help.
That’s the opposite of what co-managed IT is supposed to be.
Look for a partner who offers predictable, flat-rate pricing and acts like a true extension of your team—not a metered vendor.
4. “Not Our Job” Mentality Around Vendor Support
When your team needs help troubleshooting phones, internet, or printers, a good co-managed provider should jump in—not point fingers.
Many cheap providers refuse to work with third-party vendors or charge extra just to coordinate on your behalf. That leaves your in-house team stuck in the middle, chasing down support for tech they didn’t even implement.
We believe in full-stack support. If it touches your network, it’s our job to help fix it—period.
5. No Strategic Oversight, No IT Roadmap
The most damaging shortcut of all? Lack of leadership.
Inexperienced co-managed providers often push tasks to junior techs without offering any real IT strategy. That leaves your internal team without a sounding board for big-picture decisions or long-term planning.
With the right co-managed partner, you should expect:
- A dedicated technical account manager
- Proactive reviews of your cybersecurity, compliance, and backup posture
- Strategic guidance for future upgrades, projects, and budgeting
- Collaborative planning—not reactive firefighting
Bottom Line: Co-Managed IT Should Make You Stronger—Not Weaker
Your internal IT team is already juggling a lot. A true co-managed IT partner should make their job easier, provide peace of mind, and cover the gaps—not create new ones.
If your co-managed support feels more like a cost center than a force multiplier, it’s time for a second opinion.
Want to know what your current co-managed agreement might be missing?
Let us take a look—for free.
We’ll review your environment, evaluate your risks, and provide honest feedback to help you strengthen your internal team with the right support (not just cheap support).