The cybersecurity landscape has reached a tipping point. While organizations continue to add new security tools to address emerging threats, they’re discovering that more tools often means more problems.
This guide examines the costs of managing multiple security tools. It aims to show you how to evaluate, select and implement a unified cybersecurity platform that reduces operational overhead while improving client protection.
Sixty-five percent of IT and security professionals say their organizations are juggling too many security tools. In addition, 53 percent report that their security tools cannot be integrated. This fragmentation, uncovered in Barracuda’s 2025 research, creates a cascade of operational issues that directly impact managed service providers (MSP) profitability and service quality.
The answer lies in consolidation. By unifying cybersecurity functions into integrated platforms, MSPs can deliver superior protection while reducing costs, improving efficiency and enhancing their competitive position.
What security tool sprawl is costing you
The financial impact of managing multiple disconnected security tools extends far beyond licensing fees. When we surveyed 2,000 senior security decision-makers across nine countries, the hidden costs became clear: 80 percent of respondents report that lack of integration increases the time required to manage security, while 81 percent cited higher overall costs.
Every additional tool requires specialized training, creates integration challenges and demands ongoing maintenance. The operational burden of managing disparate systems across multiple client environments forces MSPs to either absorb these costs or pass them on to clients, potentially pricing themselves out of competitive opportunities.
The safety implications are equally concerning
77 percent of organizations said that a fragmented toolset weakens visibility and response, while 78 percent cited challenges in threat mitigation. When security tools operate in isolation, they create visibility gaps. In addition to being easily exploited by hackers, those gaps undermine the comprehensive protection MSPs promise their clients.
Equally troubling is the configuration challenge. Only 32 percent of respondents said they were fully confident their tools are properly configured, leaving most organizations vulnerable to breaches caused by hidden misconfigurations.
For MSPs managing hundreds of client environments, this is a significant risk multiplier.
How BarracudaONE can help
The BarracudaONE artificial intelligence (AI)-powered cybersecurity platform exemplifies the consolidation approach, unifying email protection, data backup, and extended detection and response capabilities into a single AI-powered platform.
This all-in-one solution equips you with:
- A centralized dashboard — Provides comprehensive visibility across all security functions, eliminating the need to switch between multiple interfaces during incident response.
- Advanced AI capabilities — Fine-tuned through years of real-world application to enable precise threat detection and automated response actions that reduce manual workload.
- Immediate consolidation benefits — Delivers operational efficiency improvements without budget impact.
For MSPs already using Barracuda Email Protection, Cloud-to-Cloud Backup or Data Inspector, BarracudaONE is available at no additional cost.
What advantages does consolidation bring?
Unified cybersecurity platforms like BarracudaONE address sprawl challenges by bringing together multiple security functions under a single management interface. This consolidation delivers measurable benefits that directly impact MSP operations and profitability.
Improved productivity
From an operational perspective, consolidated platforms eliminate the context switching that drains technician productivity.
Instead of logging into multiple dashboards to investigate a security incident, MSPs can access comprehensive threat intelligence from a single interface, meaning faster response times and improved quality of security analysis.
In-depth expertise
The training burden also decreases significantly. Rather than maintaining expertise across dozens of different tools, MSP teams can focus on mastering a unified platform.
This concentration of knowledge leads to better utilization of security capabilities and more consistent service delivery across all client environments.
Cost savings
Financial benefits emerge from multiple areas. Consolidated platforms typically offer better pricing than purchasing individual tools separately, while the reduced operational complexity lowers ongoing management costs.
The improved efficiency allows MSPs to serve more clients with the same resources, improving profit margins while maintaining service quality.
Strategic benefits for MSPs
Beyond operational efficiency, BarracudaONE provides strategic advantages that strengthen MSPs’ competitive positioning.
Unified reporting capabilities enable you to demonstrate your value more effectively to clients. Instead of producing separate reports from multiple tools, you can provide comprehensive security dashboards that clearly show the protection being delivered.
This transparency builds client confidence and helps them to justify their security investments. When clients can see exactly how threats are being detected and neutralized through a single, coherent view, they’re more likely to appreciate the value of MSP services and approve budget increases for enhanced protection.
“BarracudaONE isn’t just another tool; it’s a strategic differentiator for our business. We’re already using BarracudaONE as a powerful sales asset to clearly demonstrate the value we deliver and make ROI tangible for our customers.” – Tyler Bracken, Director of Network Operations at OpX Networks
A practical guide to consolidating your cybersecurity stack
Successfully consolidating your cybersecurity stack requires a systematic approach that balances security effectiveness with operational efficiency.
Step 1: Audit your current security stack
Begin by creating a comprehensive inventory of all security tools currently deployed across your client environments. Document not just the tools themselves, but their specific functions, integration points and management requirements. This audit should include:
- Tool inventory: List every security product, including email protection, endpoint security, backup solutions, network monitoring, and threat detection systems. Note licensing costs, renewal dates and usage levels across different client environments.
- Integration assessment: Identify which tools can share data and which operate in isolation. Document any custom integrations you’ve built and their maintenance requirements.
- Management overhead: Calculate the time spent managing each tool, including configuration, monitoring, reporting, and troubleshooting. Consider both direct technician time and indirect costs, such as training and certification maintenance.
- Client satisfaction: Review client feedback about security reporting, incident response times and overall service quality. Identify areas where tool complexity may be impacting service delivery.
Step 2: Identify consolidation opportunities
With your current state documented, look for opportunities to consolidate functionality. Focus on areas where multiple tools provide overlapping capabilities or where integration gaps create operational inefficiencies.
- Functional overlap: Identify tools that provide similar capabilities. For example, if you’re using separate solutions for email security, data loss prevention, and threat intelligence, consider whether a unified platform like BarracudaONE could deliver all three functions more effectively.
- Integration gaps: Highlight areas where lack of integration creates manual processes or delayed responses. These gaps often represent the highest-value consolidation opportunities.
Step 3: Evaluate unified platform options
Research consolidated platforms that can replace multiple-point solutions while maintaining or improving security effectiveness. Focus on platforms that offer:
- Comprehensive coverage: Ensure the platform addresses all your core security requirements without gaps that would require additional tools.
- Scalability: Verify that the platform can grow with your business and accommodate clients of different sizes and complexity levels.
- Integration capabilities: Look for platforms that can integrate with existing tools you plan to retain, ensuring a smooth transition period.
- Reporting and analytics: Evaluate the platform’s ability to provide unified reporting across all security functions, as this visibility is crucial for demonstrating value to clients.
Step 4: Plan your migration strategy
Develop a phased migration plan that minimizes disruption to client services while maximizing the benefits of consolidation.
Consider:
- Pilot implementation: Start with a small group of clients or a specific security function to test the consolidated platform and refine your deployment processes.
- Training and certification: Ensure your team is fully trained on the new platform before expanding deployment.
- Client communication: Develop clear messaging about the consolidation benefits for clients, focusing on improved security effectiveness and enhanced reporting.
- Rollback planning: Maintain the ability to revert to previous tools if issues arise during migration, ensuring business continuity throughout the transition.
Step 5: Measure and optimize
Track key metrics to validate the benefits of consolidation and identify opportunities for further optimization:
- Operational metrics: Monitor technician productivity, incident response times, and client satisfaction scores to quantify the operational benefits of consolidation.
- Financial impact: Track total cost of ownership, including licensing, training and operational costs, to demonstrate the financial benefits of the unified approach.
- Security effectiveness: Use the platform’s unified reporting demonstrating improved threat detection and response capabilities to clients.
- Continuous improvement: Regularly review your consolidated platform’s capabilities and explore opportunities to further streamline your security stack.
Don’t submit to security sprawl
The cybersecurity industry is moving toward consolidation, and MSPs who embrace unified platforms early will gain competitive advantages in efficiency, client satisfaction and scalability. As threat complexity increases and compliance requirements evolve, consolidation becomes essential for sustainable growth.
The systematic approach outlined in this guide provides the framework for transforming fragmented security operations into streamlined, effective platforms that deliver superior protection while reducing operational overhead.
Take the next step – schedule a demo of BarracudaONE today.
Photo: Maksym Povozniuk / Shutterstock
This post originally appeared on Smarter MSP.