Navigating the Co-Management Landscape: 6 Trends and Insights for IT Executives

Posted November 5, 2024

We live in an era where digital transformation is not just a buzzword but a business imperative. Knowing this, business leaders are increasingly turning to co-management services as a strategic approach to business continuity and growth. The co-management model blends internal IT resources with external expertise to tackle the complex, ever-evolving landscape of IT and cybersecurity. Here’s a look at the current trends and observations in co-management that are shaping the decisions of IT leaders:

1. The Rise of Strategic Partnerships

Co-management is evolving from mere service outsourcing to forming strategic partnerships. IT executives are seeking more than just technical support; they’re looking for partners who can contribute to strategic planning, innovation, and business growth. This shift is driven by the recognition that technology can be a significant differentiator in competitive markets, not just a support function.

2. Emphasis on Cybersecurity Co-Management

Cyber threats have escalated in sophistication and frequency, pushing cybersecurity to the forefront of IT management discussions. Trends show:

Holistic Security Strategies: Companies are no longer just focusing on perimeter defenses but are adopting comprehensive security postures that include threat intelligence, incident response, and continuous monitoring, often through co-managed services.
Integration with Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs): There’s an uptick in partnerships with MSSPs for round-the-clock vigilance. These services extend beyond traditional antivirus to encompass advanced threat detection, vulnerability management, and security analytics.

3. Leveraging AI and Automation

The integration of AI and automation in IT management is becoming a standard expectation:

Automation of Routine Tasks: Co-management services are employing AI to automate routine IT tasks, allowing internal teams to focus on strategic initiatives. This not only increases efficiency but also reduces human error.
Predictive Maintenance and Management: AI tools are used for predictive analytics, helping to foresee IT issues before they impact operations, thereby enhancing system reliability and uptime.

4. Customization and Flexibility

IT executives are demanding bespoke solutions:

Tailored Service Packages: There’s a move away from one-size-fits-all solutions to highly customized IT services that align closely with specific business goals, industry compliance needs, or operational models.
Scalability: As businesses fluctuate, so does their IT requirement. Co-management models now often include clauses for scaling services up or down, providing flexibility in resource allocation.

5. Focus on Compliance and Regulatory Needs

With data privacy laws becoming more stringent:

Compliance as a Service: Providers are increasingly offering compliance management within their co-management packages, helping organizations navigate complex regulatory environments without diverting internal resources.
Global Standards: There’s a push towards adopting global IT and cybersecurity standards, which co-management providers often help implement and maintain.

6. The Human Element: Skills and Training

Skill Augmentation: Co-management isn’t just about outsourcing tasks but also about enhancing the skill set of the internal team through knowledge transfer and training programs.
Talent Shortage Solutions: With the IT talent gap widening, co-management serves as a practical solution to access specialized skills without permanent hires.

For IT executives, co-management services represent not just a cost-saving measure or a gap filler for skills shortage but a strategic tool for innovation, security, and compliance. The trends underscore a collaborative approach where the line between internal teams and external providers blurs, creating ecosystems of shared responsibility and expertise. As the IT landscape becomes more complex, these partnerships will likely deepen, focusing on creating value through technology as a core component of business strategy.

The co-management trend is about creating a synergy that leverages the best of both worlds – the deep business understanding of internal teams with the cutting-edge technology and specialized skills of external providers. This model is poised to continue its upward trajectory, adapting to new technologies and business needs in the ever-dynamic world of IT and cybersecurity. Contact us to learn how a co-management solution may be in your future.

Kyle Vinar

Kyle Vinar is Partner / President of Verus Corporation. He oversees all business operations and coaches Verus teams to continually improve on their solutions from client experience to product development and overall solution implementation. He works with all Verus resources to increase efficiencies and excellence in every aspect of their organizational roles. Kyle believes that people are the last real competitive edge that a company can have and constructing a rich culture is a vital step in running a world-class organization. Therefore he strives to create a culture within Verus that allows everyone to show up authentically and grow both personally and professionally, which in turn allows Verus Corp team members to provide clients with top-of-the-line service. Kyle helps balance strategy, capacity, and culture in such a way that has allowed Verus Corp to achieve exponential growth since he joined the company in 2013. One of Kyle’s greatest professional achievements has been in helping lay the foundation upon which Verus Corporation could be named the 2nd Best Place to Work by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Kyle holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from St. Cloud State University. He lives in Champlin with his wife and 3 children. He has enjoyed volunteering as a soccer coach for over 6 years and was the former Director of Coaching for Rebels Soccer Club. If Kyle isn’t on the sidelines of one of his children’s soccer games or in the audience of his eldest’s musicals, he can often be found cruising scenic routes on his Harley, in a deer stand, or on the golf course.