How to Fire Your MSP

Why Firing Your MSP Without a Replacement Lined Up Could Be Your Biggest IT Mistake

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by

Bryan
in

You’ve decided it’s time to let your Managed Service Provider (MSP) go.
They’ve dropped the ball one too many times, and you’re ready for a fresh start. But before you send that termination email, there’s one critical question you need to answer:

Who’s going to take over — immediately?

Firing an MSP without a replacement lined up can create chaos, leave your business vulnerable, and cost you far more than you expect.

The Hidden Role of Your MSP

Even if your MSP feels “invisible” most days, they’re doing more behind the scenes than you realize.
They may be:

  • Monitoring your systems 24/7
  • Running backups and verifying restore points
  • Managing your cybersecurity tools
  • Applying security patches and updates
  • Handling critical vendor relationships

When you end that relationship without a new provider ready to step in, these activities can stop instantly, and you might not notice the impact until it’s too late.

The Risks of a Gap in Service

1. Downtime

If something breaks during the gap, who fixes it?
Without a provider, you’re on your own, and downtime costs can skyrocket.

2. Security Vulnerabilities

Unpatched systems, expired security licenses, and missed threat alerts can leave you exposed.
Cybercriminals love gaps in IT coverage.

3. Data Loss

If backups fail or can’t be restored, critical data could disappear with no one responsible for recovery.

4. Compliance Violations

If you’re in a regulated industry, even a short lapse in security monitoring or documentation can put you out of compliance.

How to Plan the Handoff

The safest approach is to treat the transition like a relay race: the baton (your IT environment) should never be “in the air” without someone holding it.

  1. Select Your New MSP First
    Vet candidates, check references, and sign the agreement before giving notice to your current provider.
  2. Create a Transition Plan
    Include key milestones for access handover, documentation delivery, and system verification.
  3. Overlap Services Temporarily
    Paying two providers for a month may feel expensive, but it’s far cheaper than an outage or breach.
  4. Test Before Finalizing
    Have the new MSP confirm they can access and manage all systems before the old one steps away.

How to Manage the Conversation with Your Current MSP

Once the new provider is ready:

  • Give your current MSP notice according to your contract.
  • Provide a written transition plan with clear timelines.
  • Keep communication professional to encourage cooperation.

Bottom line:
Firing your MSP without a ready replacement is like pulling the pilot out of the cockpit mid-flight: You might not crash right away, but you’re courting disaster.
Line up your next partner, overlap if you can, and make the handoff seamless.

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