Report
2026 Gartner® Market Guide for Outsourced Managed Security Services
Facing advanced threats, complex hybrid environments, strict regulations, and scarce security talent, organizations are turning to Outsourced Managed Security Services (OMSS) providers for the specialized, end-to-end expertise and 24/7 resilience needed to defend against modern cyber risk.
OMSS providers transform cybersecurity from reactive to proactive. AI-driven threat detection, faster response, and continuous compliance improve security outcomes, while organizations retain full accountability for risk and governance.
Gartner Market Guide for Outsourced Managed Security Services dives into key findings, recommendations, mandatory features, market direction, and a list of OMSS vendors. Gartner recommends that decision-makers should use this research to identify OMSS partners and enhance security operations.
Some key findings of the Outsourced Managed Security Services Gartner Market Guide include:
- “Organizations face relentless cyberattacks and complex hybrid cloud challenges, making in-house security a riskier option. As a result, resilient, outcome-focused security operations are driving demand for expert external providers.”
- “Many organizations continue to rely on reactive security approaches, which are proving insufficient against today’s rapidly evolving threats. This has led to a growing demand for outsourced security services, as organizations seek proactive solutions powered by advanced AI and machine learning to achieve better threat detection, faster response times, and optimized operations.”
- “Expanding global compliance requirements make external expertise crucial for risk mitigation. Organizations increasingly depend on outside specialists for robust compliance management, ongoing monitoring, and tailored guidance to avoid breaches and penalties.”
- “While most security service providers now offer similar core capabilities, evaluating the wider vendor ecosystem reveals that different provider types can deliver unique strategic advantages.”
As a cybersecurity decision-maker responsible for security operations, you should:
- “Seek providers that integrate AI and machine learning (ML) across their offerings to enhance real-time analytics, automate critical security tasks, and accelerate incident response, in reaction to an evolving attack sophistication.”
- “Prioritize providers that offer specialized expertise and experienced security professionals who leverage proactive methodologies to counter sophisticated adversaries and defend complex environments.”
- “Select providers who can help maintain adherence to increasing global regulatory demands through continuous monitoring, reporting, and expert guidance, significantly reducing the risk of breaches and associated penalties.
- “Choose providers with modular, customizable solutions and flexible pricing to deliver adaptive, outcome-driven protection and cost efficiency.”
Download Gartner Market Guide for Outsourced Managed Security Services to learn more.
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Facing advanced threats, complex hybrid environments, strict regulations, and scarce security talent, organizations are turning to Outsourced Managed Security Services (OMSS) providers for the specialized, end-to-end expertise and 24/7 resilience needed to defend against modern cyber risk.
OMSS providers transform cybersecurity from reactive to proactive. AI-driven threat detection, faster response, and continuous compliance improve security outcomes, while organizations retain full accountability for risk and governance.
Gartner Market Guide for Outsourced Managed Security Services dives into key findings, recommendations, mandatory features, market direction, and a list of OMSS vendors. Gartner recommends that decision-makers should use this research to identify OMSS partners and enhance security operations.
Some key findings of the Outsourced Managed Security Services Gartner Market Guide include:
- “Organizations face relentless cyberattacks and complex hybrid cloud challenges, making in-house security a riskier option. As a result, resilient, outcome-focused security operations are driving demand for expert external providers.”
- “Many organizations continue to rely on reactive security approaches, which are proving insufficient against today’s rapidly evolving threats. This has led to a growing demand for outsourced security services, as organizations seek proactive solutions powered by advanced AI and machine learning to achieve better threat detection, faster response times, and optimized operations.”
- “Expanding global compliance requirements make external expertise crucial for risk mitigation. Organizations increasingly depend on outside specialists for robust compliance management, ongoing monitoring, and tailored guidance to avoid breaches and penalties.”
- “While most security service providers now offer similar core capabilities, evaluating the wider vendor ecosystem reveals that different provider types can deliver unique strategic advantages.”
As a cybersecurity decision-maker responsible for security operations, you should:
- “Seek providers that integrate AI and machine learning (ML) across their offerings to enhance real-time analytics, automate critical security tasks, and accelerate incident response, in reaction to an evolving attack sophistication.”
- “Prioritize providers that offer specialized expertise and experienced security professionals who leverage proactive methodologies to counter sophisticated adversaries and defend complex environments.”
- “Select providers who can help maintain adherence to increasing global regulatory demands through continuous monitoring, reporting, and expert guidance, significantly reducing the risk of breaches and associated penalties.
- “Choose providers with modular, customizable solutions and flexible pricing to deliver adaptive, outcome-driven protection and cost efficiency.”
Download Gartner Market Guide for Outsourced Managed Security Services to learn more.
