Why won’t my potential MSP let me use my own EDR?

It's not just that they don’t want to support it; if their insurance policy links directly to protecting your systems, they might need to know what they're dealing with. If they veto your EDR choice, it could be less about wanting to control your options and more about liability and risk management. I did take ownership of my EDR from an MSP before, and it turned into a headache. You should figure out what's more important to you: control or effective protection.

It's understandable you see it as a small request, but it’s quite significant for them. They rely on unified management for efficiency. Having to train staff on different software products, manage additional licenses, and troubleshoot countless issues is costly and time-consuming. They might not want to take on the responsibility of managing an EDR they're unfamiliar with, particularly if it's a lesser-known brand.

As a former MSP employee, I can tell you that while they may allow you to use your own EDR, they would likely require you to sign a waiver. This would make you fully responsible for any security issues that arise because of it. The MSP generally incorporates the cost of monitoring and maintaining their EDR into their service pricing, so without that, they're not liable for malware protection with your chosen solution.

Think of it like this: if you went to a bakery and asked them to use your eggs for a cake, wouldn't that be weird? Multiple EDRs can clash with each other, which can cause problems. MSPs set their systems up to work together, and straying from that can lead to complications. They could allow you to use your EDR, but then they'd exclude it from their support, meaning you're on your own if something goes wrong.

MSPs typically thrive on standardized systems so they can maintain quick response times. If every client picked their own antivirus, supporting all those different tools would create chaos. Also, if a client wants something cheaper and it turns out to be less effective, they’re likely causing more problems for both parties in the long run. It's in your best interest to stick to their recommended solutions for peace of mind.