With technology advances rapidly reshaping the business world, companies are increasingly turning to external managed IT services for support to help them remain competitive and keep their businesses running smoothly and securely.
Managed IT Service Providers (MSPs) offer a range of managed services, including network monitoring, data backups, cybersecurity, business continuity and disaster recovery, among many others—all on a predictable, monthly payment schedule.
The trend toward using managed IT services is only expected to grow in the coming years.
If you’re a business owner considering partnering with an outside managed IT company, it’s important that you research several companies thoroughly before choosing one.
We recognize, however, that with so many MSPs to choose from, it can seem a little daunting.
With that in mind, we’re writing this article to help you in your search by giving you useful information about who we think are some of the top MSPs in Connecticut—in no order.
Visit their websites and online learning centers, if they have one, to learn more about the managed IT services they offer, pricing, their team, and business philosophy. Call them up or fill out an online contact form to initiate the process of discussing your IT issues to see which provider might best meet your needs.
We want to be perfectly clear right up front. We don’t have a dog in this fight. We weren’t paid or solicited by the companies included in this list. We also intentionally excluded ourselves from the list in an effort to be as impartial as possible.
It’s our longstanding belief that healthy competition is good for our industry, our business, and our customers.
We’re simply providing this information as a resource you can use as part of your due diligence to find the best provider suited for your specific IT challenges and long-term business goals.
The Walker Group
Services
- Fully managed IT services (with vCIO and a network administrator)
- Managed security for workstations and servers
- Network support services
- Managed firewall
- Backup and disaster recovery
- Managed help desk
- Remote monitoring
Professional Services
- Cybersecurity & compliance consulting
- Security assessments
- Microsoft 365 implementation & consulting
- Procurement services (licensing, hardware/software)
- Fractional and interim CIO
- Projects & professional services
- Training
Cybersecurity
- Compliance (CMMC, HIPAA, NIST/DFARS, PCI)
- Ransomware protection
- Managed security for workstations & servers
- Secure remote access
- ePhishing and security awareness training
- Security assessments
- Security operations center as a service
Technology Solutions
- Microsoft 365 - Business Automation
- Microsoft Teams conferencing solutions
- Microsoft Teams phone systems
- Cloud solutions
- Virtualization
- Hyper-converged solutions
- Storage solutions
- Internet service provider & connectivity solutions
- Business Wi-Fi Solutions
Industries
Non-profits make up about a quarter of its client base.History
Kate Emery started Balance Computer Support in 1983 in Canton, Conn. In 1986, she teamed up with two other IT professionals to form Soft Industries in Southington. In 1996, the company relocated to Farmington and was renamed as Walker Systems Support, before rebranding to The Walker Group in 2012.
Emery has since shifted the company’s focus to creating social good. Since 2007, the company has earmarked a third of its distributed profits to community causes, with the balance equally split between employees and shareholders.
In 2014, The Walker Group continued in its corporate philanthropy journey by becoming a registered Benefit Corporation (B-Corp).
Emery cemented the company’s social enterprise mission by transferring the company’s ownership into a Perpetual Purpose Trust, a non-charitable trust that allows companies to focus on a specific cause instead of just corporate profits.
Locations
Headquartered in Farmington, Conn., with additional locations in Florida and New York
Charles IT
Services
- Cybersecurity & compliance
- Backup & disaster recovery
- Monitoring & support
- Cloud & data center solutions
- Connectivity
- IT strategy
- IT support
- Virtual chief information security officer (vCISO)
- Backup & disaster recovery
- Email solutions
- Private cloud
- Public cloud
- VoIP
Cyberecurity
- Security awareness training
- Endpoint encryption
- SIEM
- External vulnerability assessment
- Internal vulnerability assessment
- Multi-factor authentication
- Dark web monitoring
- MDR solutions
- Penetration testing management
- Domain name system (DNS) management
Compliance
- NIST CSF
- CMMC
- DFARS 800-171
- SOC2
- HIPAA
- SEC
- FINRA
Industries
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
- Non-profits
- Financial services
- Professional services
History
Company CEO Foster Charles started Charles IT during his senior year of high school in December 2006.
Locations
Middletown, Conn. and Stamford, Conn.
CompassMSP
Services
- AutoPilot (fully managed IT including vCIO support)
- CoPilot (co-managed IT services)
- Secure Path (managed cybersecurity and compliance services)
- IT consulting
- Compliance services
- Network assessment
- Network monitoring
- Data backup & recovery
- Professional services
- Business cloud services
IT Services
- 24/7 Monitoring, patching, & updating
- Unlimited remote helpdesk and onsite technical support
- Vendor management
- Regular strategic business technology reviews
Cybersecurity
- Advanced Security as a Service
- 24/7/365 security operations center (SOC)
- Incident response
- Patch management
- vCISO
- Vulnerability management services (scanning, risk assessment, remediation)
- Cybersecurity training
- Follows the NIST cybersecurity framework
Industries
- Construction
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
- Financial
- Transportation & logistics
- Legal
- Insurance
History
CompassMSP started in 2002 as IT Direct. Florida-based CompassMSP acquired IT Direct in 2021, and IT Direct subsequently took on the parent company name. CompassMSP has been able to grow its footprint with an aggressive MSP acquisition strategy.
Other MSPs it has purchased include New York-based Tarrytech Computer Consultants, Maryland-based MRW Systems, Florida-based Western Digitech, and Illinois-based Mother Network Guardian (MotherG).
Locations
- Hartford
- Florida (Jacksonville & Miami)
- Illinois (Chicago)
- Maryland (Baltimore)
- New Jersey (Princeton)
- New York (Tarrytown)
- Pennsylvania (Reading)
Cooperative Systems
Services
- Fully managed IT services (branded as NOAH Complete Care):
- Virtual CIO, (vCIO) advisory services
- Managed cybersecurity services
- Compliance services
- Backup & disaster recovery (BDR) solutions
- Cloud & data center solutions
- Monitoring & support services
- Connectivity solutions
- Co-managed IT services
Cybersecurity
- Anti-virus, anti-malware, anti-exploit, and anti-ransomware protection
- Cloud-based anti-spam and click protection
- Email archiving
- Endpoint detection and response (EDR)
- System information and event monitoring (SIEM)
- Web content filtering
- DNS protection
- Gateway intrusion detection system (IDS)
- Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
- Multi-Factor Authentication
- Encryption
- Password security and management solutions
- Security awareness training for employees
- Regulatory audit assistance
- Compliance readiness and support
- 360-degree technology assessment
- External vulnerability testing
- Ongoing reporting with relevant recommendations
Compliance
- NIST
- PCI-DSS
- HIPAA
- FTC safeguards
- FINRA
- FDIC and GLBA regulatory support
- Center For Internet Security (CIS) critical security controls
Industries
- Manufacturing
- Healthcare
- Financial Services
- Automotive Retail
History
Cooperative Systems (CoopSys) was started in 1993. In 2020, the company purchased Fandotech, a data center and cloud infrastructure provider based in Manchester, Conn. and West Springfield, Mass.
Locations
Windsor, Conn., Woburn, Mass.
ADNET Technologies
Services
- Fully managed IT services (branded as TotalCare)
- Cloud
- Voice services
- Custom application development
- Digital transformation (project work)
- Video surveillance
IT Services
- Server monitoring
- Desktop monitoring and management
- Backup and disaster recovery
- Network monitoring and management
- Firewall monitoring and management
Cybersecurity
- Managed security services (including managed SIEM; advanced endpoint detection, response, and remediation
- Security awareness training
- Security assessments and testing (risk assessment, vulnerability assessment, and penetration testing, phishing tests)
- Incident response
Industries
The company’s website does not list the specific industries it serves.
History
ADNET was founded in 1991. In May 2023, it acquired Tech II Business Services, Inc., a Saratoga Springs, N.Y.-based MSP.
At the time of the purchase, ADNET said the merger was an outgrowth of its membership in the New Charter Technologies platform, a network of 21 independently owned MSPs across the country.
Locations
Rocky Hill, Conn., and Albany, N.Y.
What’s The Bottom Line In Choosing A Managed IT Provider?
We understand that the thought of turning over the reins of your entire IT infrastructure to an outside managed IT company may bring with it a certain level of apprehension.
That’s why we urge all businesses to do their due diligence and proceed with caution before making such an important decision.
Among the main benefits of working with an MSP is that you gain a team of IT professionals with broad IT, cybersecurity, and industry knowledge who will work to find the best solutions for your current IT needs and long-term business goals.
You’ll get customized support at a predictable monthly cost, without the substantial expense of having to invest in the IT staff, equipment, software, and resources you would need to maintain a comparable in-house team.
Check out this article to learn the true ROI of managed IT support.
Read Planning For The Future: 7 Steps To Create An Effective IT Budget to learn more about effective IT budget planning.
Find out what questions to ask an MSP that you’re considering working with.
Want to get an idea of how much managed IT services will cost your business? Use our pricing calculator below for a free, no-obligation estimate.
