New technology and the continuously changing cyber threat landscape are rapidly reshaping the service offerings of managed security service providers (MSSPs). One of the major trends according to the 2025 ENISA (the EU cybersecurity agency) market analysis is a clear shift towards smaller and dedicated security devices. Downsizing to more compact powerhouses is no longer just an option for tech-savvy companies: it has become a structural part of modern-day MSS delivery.
Read on and learn more about the important takeaways from the latest ENISA MSS Market Analysis. And find out how Rackmount IT helps MSSPs to protect their IT ecosystems by providing compact and high-quality racking solutions that make efficient and secure scaling easier than ever!
Multi-device coverage is gaining ground
Compact is king. Nowhere does this motto ring more true than in the ultra-competitive world of sophisticated technology. Do you remember the gargantuan computers of the past that didn’t even remotely have the computing power of your pocket-sized smartphone? Or transistors that have gotten smaller and at the same time more powerful and energy-efficient? The physical downsizing of smart tech is an example of Moore’s Law (named after one of the founders of Intel), a theory that links the pace of technological innovation and processing power directly to advances in miniaturization.
In today’s complex MSSP universe, a sole focus on large enterprise infrastructures is largely a thing of the past. The new standard of operation? Expanding services to cover an ever broader ecosystem of devices. This includes edge appliances (which allows MSSPs to process data closer to the source), but also IoT units in branch offices or highly demanding industrial environments. The need for ultimate flexibility, without compromising safety, is the major force that drives this shift. Modern MSSPs want solutions that can be deployed quickly and easily across different environments.
The rising priority of both IoT and OT security
Information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) used to live a largely separate existence. Both worlds shared little meaningful data and relied on staff with very different skillsets. How times have changed… Nowadays, most (industrial) organizations explore the extreme outer limits of technological innovation to boldly try and go where no competitor has gone before. The result? Traditional boundaries between IT and OT are getting blurrier and more diffuse. This leads to more sophisticated, strongly interconnected systems, but also to a whole new range of security challenges. Many companies have to re-plot computing architectures and re-evaluate their infrastructure needs.
MSSPs have quickly responded to this brave new world of digital security by increasingly integrating IT/OT protection into their core services and propositions. You need a unified, high-quality security framework that addresses vulnerabilities across both environments. The need for a holistic security approach opens exciting new opportunities for compact and highly specialistic devices, such as mini PCs and specialized AI-edge boards, that are able to cross the traditional borders between IT and OT.
IT/OT convergence as a driver of edge security
The ENISA analysis identifies IT/OT convergence - alongside the current AI and automation boom - as one of the dominant technological drivers shaping the present and future MSS landscape. In the smart factory, robots, production lines, conveyors, compressors, and heating and lighting systems are increasingly integrated with IT systems to build a digital version of the manufacturing environment.
This means that real-time monitoring and protection must happen very close to the operational edge if MSSPs want to combine security with maximum productivity. Achieving this feat often requires smaller, purpose-built devices. Improving quality control processes? Reducing downtime costs through accurate predictive management based on real-time data? Or improving logistic movements through the entire supply chain? With the winning combo of IT/OT convergence, edge computing, and advanced devices in a compact housing all these improvements are within your grasp!
Protecting your technical assets
The ENISA report confirms what we already see in the market: smaller, dedicated security devices are becoming a cornerstone of MSS delivery. It speaks for itself that protecting these crown jewels in your IT stack should be a top priority. That’s where we come in! Designing and building top-notch rack mount kits for all major desktop appliance manufacturers is our bread and butter. We know that the devil is in the details, which means that you can always expect high value at an affordable price.
Partnering up with Rackmount IT means:
-
Front connections. Nobody has to reach behind, nothing is falling down behind your equipment, and you always know where everything is.
-
Custom cut-outs for optimized airflow, ensuring that overheating isn’t an issue.
-
All your cabling is neatly arranged. Reaching behind a complex spaghetti of wires when unplugging your compact, high-performance devices is a thing of the past.
-
A secure power supply. Say goodbye to downtime that slows your business down and costs you tons of money. A one-time installation that will last for years does the trick.
-
A perfect fit for your specific desktop appliance. Bring the standardization of your network stack, racking and set-up down to sweet science!
Deploying security where it matters most
Since ENISA is the official European Union agency for cybersecurity, their findings provide a trusted and authoritative reference point. For Rackmount.IT, this represents both a market validation and a clear opportunity to do what we do best: supporting MSSPs with compact and reliable rackmount solutions that make it easier to deploy security where it matters most.
Discover how Rackmount.IT helps MSSPs bring security to the edge with compact, reliable solutions. Contact us today or visit our product pages to learn more about our innovative and reliable rack mount kits.
