If it feels like cybersecurity is getting harder every year, you’re not imagining it. Attacks are faster, more automated, and increasingly designed to bypass traditional defenses. Ransomware doesn’t just encrypt files anymore, it steals data, pressures executives, and targets service providers as a shortcut to dozens or hundreds of victims at once.
In 2026, MSPs and MSSPs sit at the center of this storm. Clients depend on you to manage risk they don’t fully understand, while attackers see you as a high-value entry point. The result? More pressure, more scrutiny, and less room for error.
That’s why the numbers matter and why we at Symbol Security put this list together. The following 24 cybersecurity statistics highlight what’s actually happening across the MSP ecosystem, from attack trends and financial impact to client behavior and profitability. Each one is paired with key takeaways so you can turn insight into action, not just awareness.
Here’s what every MSP and MSSP needs to know to stay competitive, and secure, in 2026.
1. 94% of Surveyed Organizations Suffered at Least One Cybersecurity Attack in the Past
The digital world is no longer safe harbor, almost every organization faces relentless cyber threats. A striking 94% of surveyed organizations reported suffering at least one cybersecurity attack, illustrating that attacks are the norm, not the exception, particularly among SMBs relying on MSPs for protection.
Key Takeaways
- Cyberattacks are ubiquitous, assume every client is a target, every day.
- “Prevention-only” messaging doesn’t land anymore; resilience and response do.
- Regular security audits, patch cadence, and user training become baseline expectations.
Source: ConnectWise
2. 94% of Organizations Currently Use an MSP for Cybersecurity and IT Operations
Nearly every SMB leverages an MSP to fill cybersecurity gaps, making MSPs vital guardians in the digital age. That 94% of organizations currently use an MSP underscores the embedded trust and pivotal role MSPs play in their clients’ security strategies.
Key Takeaways
- MSPs aren’t “optional vendors”, you’re a core security dependency.
- Standardizing security baselines across clients becomes a competitive advantage.
- High adoption creates upsell room: MDR, managed identity, email security, backup/DR.
Source: ConnectWise
3. 90% of MSPs Reported Experiencing at Least One Cybersecurity Incident Last Year
Even the “defenders of the defenders” are under siege. An alarming 90% of MSPs experienced at least one cybersecurity incident in the previous year, spotlighting MSPs as prime targets for attackers looking to leverage supply chain vulnerabilities.
Key Takeaways
- MSP internal security is client security, your environment is a force multiplier.
- Segmentation, least privilege, and tool hardening aren’t “nice to have” anymore.
- Third-party assessments and tabletop incident response drills reduce blast radius.
Source: Huntress
4. 76% of Organizations Agree They Lack In-House Cybersecurity Skills
Skills shortages plague many organizations, with 76% of businesses acknowledging they lack in-house cybersecurity expertise. This gap drives SMB demand for managed security providers and MSSPs able to deliver specialized knowledge and around-the-clock monitoring.
Key Takeaways
- Your value is expertise + execution, not just tooling.
- Packaging “vCISO + security coaching” can differentiate you fast.
- Continuous monitoring and human-led response become the real product.
Source: ConnectWise
5. 57% of SMBs Outsource All or Majority of IT Cybersecurity
More than half of SMBs outsource the bulk or all of their cybersecurity, emphasizing the economic and practical advantages MSPs offer in managing complex threat environments.
Key Takeaways
- You can enforce stronger standards because you own more of the stack.
- “All-in” relationships support longer contracts and clearer accountability.
- Bundled lifecycle services (prevent/detect/respond/recover) become easier to sell.
Source: ConnectWise
6. 62% Would Consider Changing MSPs if Offered the ‘Right’ Cybersecurity Solution
Security offerings can make or break MSP-client relationships. With 62% of organizations open to switching MSPs for superior cybersecurity solutions, capitalizing on advanced security tech and expert services is a clear growth lever.
Key Takeaways
- Security is a churn driver, your roadmap affects retention directly.
- “Good enough IT” won’t protect accounts; measurable security outcomes will.
- Competitive wins come from packaged solutions + proof (reports, SLAs, results).
Source: ConnectWise
7. 94% Year-Over-Year Increase in Ransomware Sightings in 2023
Ransomware is surging dramatically, with a staggering 94% year-over-year increase in ransomware sightings in 2023 alone. This explosive growth means MSPs and MSSPs are encountering more frequent and sophisticated cohorts of ransomware attacks targeting their clients.
Key Takeaways
- Ransomware defense must be layered: identity, endpoints, email, backups, segmentation.
- Playbooks must evolve with tactics (lateral movement, data theft, persistence).
- Recovery readiness (immutable backups + tested restores) is a sales differentiator.
Source: ConnectWise
8. 66% of Organizations Were Affected by Ransomware Last Year
Building on the ransomware deluge, 66% of organizations reported ransomware impact in the previous year, showing the widespread reach of these attacks, especially among SMBs.
Key Takeaways
- Ransomware is mainstream risk, clients need to budget like it’s inevitable.
- MDR/EDR adoption becomes non-negotiable for many industries and insurers.
- Faster detection + containment directly reduces downtime and costs.
Source: Sophos
9. 93% of Ransomware Attacks That Result in Payment Involve Double-Extortion/Data Theft
Ransomware attacks have evolved beyond simple file encryption. In modern campaigns, 93% of ransomware incidents that result in payment involve data exfiltration, where attackers steal sensitive information and threaten public leaks to increase pressure on victims, commonly known as double extortion.
Key Takeaways
- Data loss prevention (DLP) and outbound traffic monitoring are as critical as backup and recovery strategies.
- Incident response plans must account for legal, regulatory, and public communications risks, not just technical recovery.
- “Restore from backup” alone is insufficient when attackers retain stolen data and leverage it for extortion.
Source: Crowdstrike
10. 33% of MSPs Experienced Targeted Phishing/Email Campaigns in H2 2024
Phishing remains a top threat vector, with 33% of MSPs targeted by specific phishing campaigns in the second half of 2024, aiming to infiltrate MSP environments as gateways to their clients.
Key Takeaways
- MSP staff are privileged users, phishing success can become a multi-client incident.
- Enforce MFA everywhere (especially admin portals), plus conditional access policies.
- Run ongoing simulations and tighten email security controls continuously.
Source: Acronis
11. 31.4% of All Emails Were Spam and 1.4% Contained Malware/Phishing Links in H2 2024
Email bombardment continues unabated, with nearly a third of all emails classified as spam and 1.4% harboring malicious or phishing content.
Key Takeaways
- Email is still the biggest front door for attackers, volume makes mistakes inevitable.
- Layered defenses (gateway + DMARC + attachment sandboxing) reduce exposure.
- Client training needs repetition because the threat is constant, not occasional.
Source: Acronis
12. AI-Generated Phishing Emails Achieve Up to 4.5× Higher Click Rates Than Traditional Phishing
Artificial Intelligence has significantly increased phishing effectiveness. Research shows AI-generated phishing emails achieve click-through rates of approximately 54%, compared to around 12% for traditional human-written phishing emails, making AI-powered phishing campaigns up to 4.5 times more effective at convincing users to engage.
Key Takeaways
- Human detection becomes significantly harder as grammar, tone, and personalization improve.
- Training must shift from “spot bad spelling” to behavior-based verification and contextual awareness.
- AI-assisted email security and anomaly detection are becoming a practical necessity, not an optional upgrade.
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Source: Secureframe
13. Supply Chain/Software Supply Attacks Are Projected to Impact ~45% of Organizations by end of 2025
Supply chain risks surge dramatically, with approximately 45% of organizations expected to be impacted by software supply attacks by end of 2025 due to MSP tool interdependencies.
Key Takeaways
- Vendor risk is now part of your security posture (RMM, PSA, backups, AV, etc.).
- You need a repeatable third-party risk process (inventory, review, controls, SLAs).
- Contract language + client comms must acknowledge shared responsibility.
Source: NinjaOne
14. Median Ransom Payment Was $115,000 in 2024
Ransom demands keep climbing, with a median ransom payment hitting $115,000 in 2024, indicating the substantial financial exposure clients face and the importance of strong preventative controls.
Key Takeaways
- Ransomware isn’t just an IT issue, it’s financial risk management.
- Zero trust, segmentation, and privileged access management reduce leverage.
- Strong backups + response planning help clients avoid paying at all.
Source: Verizon DBIR
15. The Average Cost of a Data Breach Estimated at $4.88 Million in 2024
Beyond ransom, the total financial fallout from breaches averages nearly $4.88 million, factoring in downtime, reputation damage, and regulatory fines.
Key Takeaways
- Security ROI becomes easier to justify when breach costs are this high.
- MSPs should translate controls into business outcomes (reduced loss, reduced downtime).
- Compliance tooling and logging reduce “secondary damage” from audits and fines.
Source: IBM/industry report
16. Average Downtime After Ransomware Attacks is Approximately 24 Days
Business disruption is severe, ransomware attacks typically cause about 24 days of downtime, crippling operations and client trust.
Key Takeaways
- Downtime is often the true “cost of ransomware,” beyond ransom demands.
- MDR + rapid containment reduces spread and accelerates restoration.
- Disaster recovery testing is what turns a backup into an actual recovery plan.
Source: Industry aggregated ransomware reporting (Verizon/IBM/Sophos)
17. 64% of Ransomware Victims Refused to Pay Ransom in 2024
A positive shift: 64% of ransomware victims refused to pay ransom, suggesting stronger data backups, better risk tolerance, and legal deterrents.
Key Takeaways
- Clients will increasingly expect “no pay” recovery options.
- Backup verification, immutability, and offline copies are board-level priorities.
- MSPs can lead with policy + playbooks that make refusal realistic.
Source: Verizon DBIR / industry
18. 83% of Organizations Plan to Increase Cybersecurity Investment with an Average 19% Budget Uplift
Fortunately, budgets are growing, a robust 83% of organizations plan to increase cybersecurity spending, with nearly a 19% average uplift, signaling expanding opportunities for MSPs offering differentiated security services.
Key Takeaways
- Buyers are primed, position security improvements as a planned investment, not a scramble.
- Packaging outcomes (coverage, response time, risk reduction) closes deals faster.
- This is your window to standardize clients on higher-tier security bundles.
Source: ConnectWise
19. Managed EDR Services Delivered Gross Margins of About 42% for Hybrid MSP/MSSP Firms in 2024
Security services pay off, managed Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) services delivered gross margins around 42%, reflecting higher profitability compared to conventional IT support.
Key Takeaways
- Managed security isn’t just defensive, it’s a margin engine.
- Automation and standardization improve scalability without adding headcount linearly.
- Strong customer success + reporting helps retain high-margin security contracts.
Source: CyVent
20. Average Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) per Managed Security Client Estimated at $8,900 in 2024
Managed security packs a lucrative punch with an average MRR of $8,900 per client for MSSPs, significantly boosting MSP annual recurring revenue streams.
Key Takeaways
- Security revenue increases valuation and stabilizes cash flow.
- Bundles (EDR + SIEM + email + identity + backup) drive expansion revenue.
- Higher MRR supports better staffing, better tooling, and better service quality.
Source: CyVent
21. 48 Million Malicious URLs Blocked at Endpoints in Q4 2024
Scale of the battle is immense, 48 million malicious URLs were blocked at endpoints in just one quarter, demonstrating the relentless barrage of web-based threats MSPs defend against.
Key Takeaways
- Web threats are constant; endpoint protection must include URL and DNS filtering.
- Threat intel + telemetry improves prevention and speeds investigations.
- Client behavior still matters, policy + training reduces risky clicks.
Source: Acronis
22. AI Phishing Click Rates Surpass Traditional Phishing by Roughly 67%
(A reminder on AI sophistication) Phishing attacks crafted by AI tools have 67% higher click rates, requiring MSPs to rethink user training depth and automated detection sophistication.
Key Takeaways
- Phishing defense must be both technical (filters) and behavioral (verification culture).
- Consider stronger controls for high-risk roles: finance, admins, executives.
- AI vs. AI becomes the norm, defensive tooling needs to keep pace.
Source: CyVent
23. 69% of MSP Leaders Reported Being Breached Two or More Times in the Last 12 Months
MSPs aren’t just getting hit, they’re getting hit repeatedly. In a survey of MSP leaders, 69% reported their business was breached two or more times in the last 12 months, reinforcing that attackers see MSPs as high-value, repeatable targets.
Key takeaways
- Repeated breaches signal that “one-and-done” cleanup isn’t enough, attackers return when they find systemic weaknesses.
- Internal hardening (RMM/PSA security, credential hygiene, segmentation, logging) is client protection in disguise.
- Standardized post-incident improvements (controls, detections, access reviews) should become part of your operating model, not a one-time project.
Source: CyberSmart MSP Survey 2025 (PDF)
24. Ransomware Was Linked to 75% of System Intrusion Breaches in the 2025 DBIR
Ransomware remains a dominant outcome of modern intrusions. Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) notes that ransomware was linked to 75% of system intrusion breaches, showing how frequently “initial access” turns into full-scale extortion.
Key takeaways
- If you’re seeing a system intrusion, you should assume ransomware is a likely endgame and respond with urgency.
- Early containment is everything: identity controls, endpoint isolation, and lateral-movement detection reduce time-to-impact.
- This supports packaging MDR + incident response readiness as a default tier, not an add-on.
Source: Verizon DBIR 2025 page