Thinking About Building an Internal IT Team? Read this first because some business leaders ask the same question: “How can we build an internal IT team?” On the surface, it seems like a logical step—hire a few IT professionals, assign them tickets, and keep everything running smoothly in-house. But what many don’t realize is that DIY IT is often far more expensive, inefficient, and riskier than outsourcing to an experienced managed IT provider.
Before committing to an internal IT team, consider the real cost—both financial and operational. Let’s break down the realities of DIY IT and why businesses often regret this decision.
1. The True Cost of Hiring an Internal IT Team
Building an IT department isn’t as simple as hiring a single tech-savvy person. IT requires multiple roles to function properly. Here’s what a typical internal IT team looks like:
- IT Manager ($100,000+ per year) – Oversees strategy, security, and vendor relationships.
- System Administrator ($80,000+ per year) – Maintains servers, networks, and infrastructure.
- Help Desk Technician ($50,000+ per year) – Handles daily support requests and troubleshooting.
- Security Specialist ($90,000+ per year) – Focuses on cybersecurity, compliance, and data protection.
- Cloud Engineer ($95,000+ per year) – Manages cloud applications, migrations, and integrations.
Even a small in-house IT team of three can cost well over $250,000 per year in salaries alone, not including benefits, training, and turnover. This cost grows even more when factoring in the hidden costs of internal IT.
Hidden Costs of DIY IT Teams
- Recruitment & Training – IT professionals require continuous learning and certifications to keep up with security threats and technology changes.
- Tools & Software – Professional IT tools for monitoring, security, and management can cost thousands per year.
- Turnover & Downtime – IT burnout is real, and turnover in IT departments is high. When someone leaves, businesses are left scrambling to fill the gap.
- Cybersecurity Failures – Without a dedicated security team, DIY IT teams often fall short on proper cybersecurity defenses, leading to costly breaches.
We are all too familiar with these costs because they’re costs we incur monthly for our team, our tools, and our training. Keep in mind we have the economies of scale to make it worth while. A growing firm trying to build an internal team will not have those same advantages and will be starting from scratch.
2. The Downtime Dilemma: How DIY IT Teams Struggle
Many companies assume that an internal IT team will provide faster responses to issues. The reality is often the opposite. Limited staff means limited availability, especially outside of normal business hours.
Real-World Downtime Costs
- The average cost of IT downtime can range from $137 to $427 per minute and up for larger companies.
- 40% of businesses never recover after a major IT failure or
- Even more businesses fail after a successful ransomware attack.
- Internal IT teams struggle with 24/7 monitoring, making downtime longer.
A fully staffed IT department is expected to handle system crashes, security threats, and software issues instantly—but that’s rarely the case. Internal teams lack the redundancy and specialized expertise that a managed IT provider offers.
3. Security & Compliance Risks: DIY IT’s Biggest Weakness
Cybersecurity is no longer optional, especially for industries like healthcare, finance, and legal services that handle sensitive data. Unfortunately, many DIY IT teams struggle to keep up with compliance and security best practices, leading to:
- Data Breaches – An average data breach costs $4.88 million (IBM 2023 report).
- Compliance Fines – Failing to meet HIPAA, SOC 2, or PCI compliance can result in six-figure fines.
- Phishing & Ransomware Attacks – DIY teams often miss critical security patches, leaving businesses vulnerable.
A single security incident could wipe out years of IT cost savings—or worse, permanently damage a company’s reputation.
4. Scaling IT the Right Way: Alternatives to DIY IT
Instead of struggling with the costs, risks, and inefficiencies of an internal IT team, many businesses find that partnering with a managed IT provider (MSP) is the better solution. Here’s why:
✅ Predictable Costs – Managed IT services operate on a fixed monthly fee, eliminating unexpected expenses.
✅ Access to Specialists – MSPs employ experts in cybersecurity, cloud, networking, and compliance—without needing to hire them individually.
✅ 24/7 Monitoring & Response – Cybersecurity Issues are identified and resolved before they impact business operations.
✅ Scalability – As the company grows, IT services scale without hiring and training new employees.
✅ Proven IT Playbooks – Established MSPs follow industry best practices, ensuring efficiency and reliability.
The Bottom Line: Think Twice Before DIY IT
If you’re searching for how to build an internal IT team, make sure you fully understand the risks and costs. While it may seem like a way to “control” IT, the reality is that most businesses end up overspending and underperforming with an internal team.
Instead, consider a managed IT partner that provides all the benefits of a world-class IT department—without the hiring headaches, security risks, and unexpected costs.
Ready to Rethink IT?
If you’re questioning whether an internal IT team is the right move for your business, let’s talk. Stringfellow Technology Group specializes in IT solutions for healthcare, professional services, and construction firms. Let us show you how we can support your business with expert IT services that cost less than hiring in-house.