What Are Managed Network Services?

Managed network services encompass a spectrum of engagement models where organizations leverage a third-party provider for the monitoring, management, maintenance, and optimization of their network infrastructure. This can range from fully outsourcing all network operations to a co-managed approach where the provider collaborates with and augments the internal IT team, handling specific tasks, technologies, or operational windows (like after-hours support).

Instead of choosing between a purely in-house or fully outsourced model, businesses partner with external experts, accessing specialized tools, skills, and proven processes. This partnership is tailored to ensure network availability, performance, and security, whether the provider takes full responsibility or works hand-in-hand with internal staff.

This involves comprehensive IT network management services, moving beyond simple break-fix support. A managed network service provider, in either a fully or co-managed capacity, proactively oversees network components like routers, switches, firewalls, access points, SD-WAN devices, and cloud network resources according to the agreed scope.

Key benefits of leveraging managed network services, whether fully outsourced or co-managed, often include:

• Access to Expertise: Leverage certified engineers and specialized knowledge without the high cost of hiring and retention for every required skill set.
• Proactive Management: Implement proactive monitoring and maintenance, often exceeding internal capacity, to prevent issues before they impact users.
• Predictable Costs: Gain better control over network operational expenses, often shifting from variable CapEx to predictable OpEx.
• Improved Reliability & Uptime: Benefit from robust Service Level Agreements (SLAs) guaranteeing specific levels of network availability and response.
• Enhanced Security Posture: Access advanced security tools, expertise, and dedicated focus on network protection, complementing internal security efforts.
• Focus on Core Business: Allow internal IT teams to concentrate on strategic initiatives by offloading routine or specialized network upkeep.

Key Capabilities of Managed Network Service Providers

While specific offerings vary, reputable providers deliver a core set of network management services. These capabilities form the foundation of reliable and efficient managed networking services:

• 24/7 Proactive Monitoring & Alerting: Continuous surveillance of network devices, links, and performance using sophisticated monitoring tools. This includes tracking availability, utilization (bandwidth, CPU, memory), latency, packet loss, and other critical health indicators to detect anomalies and potential issues early.
• Incident Management & Remediation: Rapid response to network alerts and outages. This involves diagnosing the root cause, implementing fixes, and restoring service according to defined SLAs. Providers manage the entire incident lifecycle, from detection to resolution and reporting.
• Configuration Management & Backup: Maintaining consistent and optimized configurations across network devices. This includes managing configuration changes, ensuring adherence to standards, performing regular backups, and facilitating quick restores when needed.
• Patch Management & Firmware Updates: Regularly applying necessary security patches and firmware updates to network hardware and software to mitigate vulnerabilities and ensure optimal performance.
• Performance Optimization: Analyzing network traffic patterns and performance metrics to identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement, ensuring efficient data flow and application responsiveness.
• Reporting & Analytics: Providing regular reports on network health, performance, availability, security events, and SLA compliance, offering valuable insights into the state of the network infrastructure management services.

Managed Network and Security Services

Siloing network operations from security introduces unacceptable risks given the persistent nature of cyber threats. Effective managed network services address this by integrating security deeply within the management framework. This focus means managed network and security services evolve beyond simple connectivity to provide active, embedded protection.

Key elements often include:

• Managed Firewall Services: Configuration, management, and monitoring of firewalls (on-premises or cloud-based) to enforce security policies and control traffic flow.
• Intrusion Detection & Prevention (IDS/IPS): Deploying and managing systems that monitor network traffic for malicious activity and policy violations, actively blocking threats.
• VPN & Remote Access Management: Securely configuring and managing ZTNA, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and SD-WAN for site-to-site connectivity and secure remote user access.
• Unified Threat Management (UTM): Often involves managing integrated security appliances that combine firewall, IDS/IPS, content filtering, and other security functions.
• Network Segmentation: Implementing strategies to isolate different parts of the network, limiting the potential impact of a security breach.
• Compliance Support: Assisting organizations in meeting industry-specific compliance requirements (like HIPAA, PCI DSS) related to network security controls and logging.

Choosing a provider offering integrated managed network security service ensures a holistic approach to protecting your network perimeter and internal resources.

Trends in the Managed Network Services Market

The managed network services market is experiencing significant growth, driven by several key factors shaping the demand for managed services network solutions:

• Increasing Network Complexity: Hybrid environments (combining on-premises data centers with multiple public/private clouds) and the proliferation of IoT devices make networks harder to manage internally.
• Cybersecurity Threat Sophistication: Rising cyber threats necessitate advanced security expertise and tools that many organizations lack in-house.
• Cloud Migration: Businesses need support managing network connectivity and security for cloud resources and ensuring seamless integration with on-premises infrastructure.
• Rise of SD-WAN: Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) offers flexibility and cost savings but requires specific expertise for deployment and management, often sourced from providers.
• Remote & Hybrid Work Models: Supporting a distributed workforce requires robust, secure, and reliable network access solutions managed effectively.
• Focus on Digital Transformation: Organizations are outsourcing non-core functions like network management to focus resources on strategic digital initiatives.
• Skills Gap: A persistent shortage of skilled network and cybersecurity professionals makes outsourcing an attractive alternative.
  

Types of Managed Network Services Available

The landscape of network managed services is diverse, catering to different organizational needs and scopes. Common offerings include:

• Fully Managed Services: The provider takes complete responsibility for all aspects of network monitoring, management, and maintenance.
• Co-Managed Services: A collaborative approach where the provider handles specific tasks (e.g., 24/7 monitoring, security management) while the internal IT team retains control over others (e.g., strategic planning, architecture).
• Managed LAN/WLAN Services: Focus specifically on managing local area networks and wireless network infrastructure within offices or campuses.
• Managed WAN/SD-WAN Services: Specializing in managing wide area networks connecting geographically dispersed sites, often incorporating SD-WAN technology for optimization and control.
• Managed Cloud Networking Services: Assisting with the configuration, security, and management of network components within public cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Network Infrastructure Management Services: A broad category encompassing the management of all physical and virtual network components.
• Managed IT Network Service Bundles: Often, network services are part of a larger Managed IT Services package, providing a holistic approach to IT support.

I want you to know that understanding these variations helps align provider capabilities with your specific requirements for a network managed service.

Choosing the Right Managed Network Services Provider

Selecting the right managed network services provider is crucial for success. Consider these factors when evaluating potential partners:

• Technical Expertise & Certifications: Verify their experience with your specific technologies (vendors, cloud platforms, SD-WAN) and look for relevant industry certifications (e.g., Cisco, Juniper, AWS, CompTIA Network+).
• Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Scrutinize the SLAs for guaranteed uptime, response times for incidents, and resolution times. Ensure they align with your business requirements.
• Security Posture & Practices: Understand their security protocols, compliance certifications (e.g., SOC 2, ISO 27001), and how they integrate security into their network management approach.
• Monitoring & Reporting Capabilities: Evaluate the sophistication of their monitoring tools and the clarity, frequency, and customization options for reporting.
• Scalability & Flexibility: Ensure the provider can scale services up or down as your business needs change and offers flexible engagement models.
• Support Availability & Process: Confirm support availability (e.g., 24/7/365) and understand their incident management and escalation procedures.
• Onboarding & Transition Plan: Ask about their process for onboarding new clients, including discovery, documentation, tool deployment, and transition from your current state.
• Cultural Fit & Communication: Choose a provider that communicates clearly and acts as a true partner aligned with your business goals. Ask for client references relevant to your industry or size.
• Pricing Model: Understand the pricing structure (per device, per user, tiered, custom) and ensure there are no hidden costs.

Thorough vetting ensures you select a managed service network partner capable of meeting your long-term needs.

Why Work with a Managed IT Services Partner for Networking?

While specialized network providers exist, partnering with a comprehensive Managed IT Services Provider (MSP) that offers strong networking capabilities often delivers greater strategic value. Here's why:

• Holistic IT View: An MSP understands how the network impacts servers, applications, cloud resources, endpoints, and security, providing integrated support rather than siloed management.
• Simplified Vendor Management: Consolidate multiple IT functions under one trusted partner, streamlining communication, billing, and accountability.
• Integrated Service Desk: Network-related issues can often manifest as user problems; an integrated helpdesk can correlate issues across domains for faster resolution.
• Cross-Functional Expertise: Benefit from a broader team with expertise not just in networking, but also in cloud, cybersecurity, data backup, and overall IT strategy.
• Cost Efficiencies: Bundling network services with other managed IT services can often result in better overall value.

By integrating managed network services within a broader managed IT framework, you ensure your network operates not just efficiently, but in alignment with your entire technology ecosystem and business objectives.

Explore our comprehensive Managed IT Services to see how integrated network management fits into a complete IT support strategy.