How to Properly Manage — and Even Fire — Your IT Provider

Business leaders don’t decide out of the blue they want to fire their IT provider. It usually happens after many disappointing experiences: poor service piles up, cybersecurity concerns linger, employees complain, and leadership quietly loses sleep wondering if their IT environment is actually protecting the business—or putting it at risk.
Organizations may understand that something is wrong, but they can feel very stuck. The service isn’t great, the advice is reactive (if it exists at all), and the cybersecurity posture doesn’t match what was promised. It’s a tough spot to be in, but many leaders hesitate to act because the idea of switching IT providers feels risky and overwhelming.
The truth is this: managing—or exiting—an IT relationship doesn’t have to be chaotic if you approach it the right way.
Below are practical, experience-based steps to help you either get your IT services back on track or confidently prepare for a change.

Step 1: Read Your IT Contract (Yes, Really)

This sounds obvious, but it’s often skipped. Many frustrated clients have never actually read their managed services agreement.
Buried in that contract are critical details: auto-renewal terms, notice periods, termination-for-cause clauses, and obligations on both sides. We regularly see companies shocked to learn their agreement auto-renewed for another 12 or 36 months—simply because no one reviewed the fine print.
Set aside quiet time. Read the agreement in plain English. Understand what you’re paying for, what your provider is contractually obligated to deliver, and what options you have if they aren’t delivering.

Step 2: Ask for Clarity and Accountability

If something feels off, ask questions—directly and clearly.

Request a sit-down meeting with your account manager or vCIO. Ask them to explain:

• What services are included
• What cybersecurity tools are deployed
• What reports you should be receiving
• What strategic guidance you should expect

Before that meeting, create a short list of concerns and gaps. Many MSPs promise a long list of services, but execution falls short. Sometimes licenses are never deployed. Sometimes reports are never sent. And sometimes clients pay for advanced cybersecurity tools that were never configured at all.

You deserve clarity on what you’re actually getting.

Step 3: Put Them on Notice if Needed

If your provider avoids the conversation—or fails to respond—that’s a major red flag.
Most contracts allow termination “for cause,” often with a defined cure period (such as 15, 30, or 60 days). Putting your provider on formal notice doesn’t mean you’re burning bridges. It means you’re asking them to correct documented issues within a reasonable timeframe.
In many cases, this gets immediate attention. Sometimes the issues are innocent oversights. Other times, silence or excuses confirm a deeper capacity or competency problem. Either way, you gain clarity—and leverage.

Step 4: Take Stock Before You Switch 

Frustration doesn’t equal readiness. 

Before choosing a new provider, it’s critical to understand why your current environment isn’t working. Without that insight, businesses often repeat the same mistakes and select the wrong provider again. 

That’s why we recommend an IT discovery and cybersecurity risk assessment. This creates an objective snapshot of: 

• Your infrastructure health 
• Cloud and licensing gaps 
• Cybersecurity maturity 
• Aging equipment risks 
• Operational blind spots 

Knowing where you stand makes you a far more informed buyer—and leads to better long-term outcomes. 

Step 5: Plan an Orderly Transition (Don’t Skip the Overlap) 

If you decide to move forward, plan for overlap between your outgoing and incoming providers—ideally 30 days. 

This allows for: 

• Secure transfer of credentials and documentation 
• Knowledge sharing about systems and quirks 
• Validation of backups, security controls, and access 
• A smoother onboarding for your new partner 

Yes, you may pay for two providers briefly. That cost is minor compared to the risk of downtime, data loss, or operational chaos. This is not the place to cut corners. 

Just as important: follow your new provider’s onboarding process. Respond promptly, complete forms, and stay engaged. A successful IT relationship is a partnership—and communication matters on both sides. 

Step 6: Take the High Road 

It’s okay to end a vendor relationship. It’s not okay to handle it unprofessionally. 

Be candid. Be factual. Treat your outgoing provider with respect. Honest feedback—delivered professionally—helps everyone, including your future IT partner. Transparency isn’t just courteous; it’s effective.