Study Shows Tool Overload Leading to Fatigue and Missed Threats in Managed Service Providers (MSPs)

A recent study by Heimdal and FutureSafe highlights the significant challenges faced by Managed Service Providers (MSPs) due to tool sprawl, revealing that over half of providers experience daily or weekly burnout. The survey, which included 80 North American MSPs, found that fragmented security stacks contribute to fatigue, missed threats, and overall business inefficiency. Alarmingly, 89% of MSPs struggle with tool integration, while 56% report experiencing alert fatigue on a daily or weekly basis. This paradox indicates that MSPs suffering from high alert fatigue are more likely to overlook genuine threats, as the very tools designed to enhance security are instead creating dangerous blind spots through exhaustion.

The study further reveals that the average MSP utilises five security tools, with 20% managing between seven to ten and 12% overseeing more than ten. Only 11% of respondents reported seamless integration among their tools, forcing the majority to navigate multiple dashboards and engage in time-consuming manual workflows. With one in four security alerts deemed meaningless and some MSPs reporting that up to 70% of alerts are false alarms, the situation is dire. Among MSPs managing over 1,000 clients, 100% reported daily fatigue. The report underscores that agent fatigue extends beyond alert management, impacting billing processes, client onboarding, and compliance reporting. Despite recognising the issue, only 20% of MSPs have consolidated their security solutions, with those who have reported improved outcomes, including fewer alerts and faster response times. 

Categories: Tool Sprawl, Alert Fatigue, Security Integration 

Tags: Tool Sprawl, Burnout, Security Tools, Alert Fatigue, Integration, False Alarms, Business Inefficiency, Client Onboarding, Compliance Reporting, Consolidation