Co-Managed IT: Your Internal Team, Backed by a Full-Service MSP
Some businesses in BC and AB have an internal IT coordinator or a small IT team, but they are stretched thin, lack specialist skills in cybersecurity or cloud, or need backup when someone is sick or on holiday. Co-managed IT is the answer: North Star layers on top of your existing team, filling gaps without replacing anyone. You keep your internal person and their institutional knowledge; you gain a full-service MSP as their back-up.
Some businesses have an internal IT coordinator or a small IT team who handle day-to-day requests, manage vendor relationships, and keep things running, but are stretched thin when it comes to cybersecurity, cloud architecture, or after-hours escalations. Hiring additional specialists in Northern BC is expensive, and there is no guarantee they stay.
Co-managed IT is the answer. North Star IT, based in Prince George, BC, layers on top of your existing team: we bring the tools, the specialist skills, and the after-hours capacity without replacing anyone. Your internal person keeps the institutional knowledge and the staff relationships; they gain a full MSP as their back-up and escalation path.
We serve businesses across British Columbia, Alberta, and Yukon.
What Is Co-Managed IT?
Co-managed IT is a shared service model where your internal IT staff and North Star divide responsibilities based on who does what best. Typically:
- Your internal IT handles day-to-day end-user requests, physical on-site work, vendor access supervision, and decisions that require institutional knowledge of your business
- North Star runs the RMM platform, security tooling, patch management, backup monitoring, after-hours on-call escalations, and specialist projects
The division is flexible and documented: a formal responsibility matrix ensures nothing falls through the gap between your team and ours. When your internal person is on holiday, sick, or dealing with a major project, North Star covers without escalation delays.
What North Star Delivers
Professional Tools for Your Internal Team
Your IT coordinator gets access to North Star's enterprise-grade RMM platform, ticketing system, and endpoint detection software. Better tools than most SMBs can justify purchasing independently, included in the co-managed retainer. One unified view of the environment for both teams.
After-Hours and On-Call Coverage
Your internal IT person should not be on call 24/7. North Star provides after-hours escalation coverage: critical incidents are picked up and contained without your internal staff being paged at midnight for every alert.
Specialist Skills on Demand
Penetration testing, cloud architecture, compliance audits, and complex migration projects that fall outside a generalist IT coordinator's skill set. Available as needed, without hiring a specialist full-time.
Patch Management and Security Operations
North Star manages patch deployment, backup monitoring, EDR alert response, and vulnerability scanning. Your internal team is freed from reactive security operations to focus on the work that requires their knowledge of your business.
Documented Responsibility Matrix
Clear documentation of who owns what. No ambiguity about whether your team or North Star is responsible for a given system or function. Updated whenever the division of responsibilities changes.
How It Works
Step 1, Scope
Document the current environment and your internal IT function. Produce a responsibility matrix: what your team handles, what North Star handles, and where the handoff points are.
Step 2, Onboard
North Star's tooling deployed alongside your internal systems. Internal team trained on shared tools and escalation procedures.
Step 3, Operate
Day-to-day operations split per the responsibility matrix. Weekly or bi-weekly check-in with your internal IT lead to review open items, upcoming projects, and any changes.
Step 4, Review
Quarterly review of the responsibility matrix. Adjust as your team's capacity and needs evolve.
Who This Is For
- BC, Alberta, or Yukon businesses with one or two internal IT staff who need specialist backup in cybersecurity, cloud, or compliance
- Organisations where the internal IT person is strong on helpdesk and operations but not on security or cloud architecture
- Businesses that want to retain their internal IT person's knowledge while adding MSP-grade tooling and capacity
- Growing businesses whose IT complexity is outpacing a single generalist employee
Why North Star IT
North Star is a Prince George-based MSP serving businesses across Northern BC, BC, Alberta, and Yukon. We have designed our co-managed model specifically for businesses that have invested in an internal IT function and want to extend it, not replace it. Fixed-fee retainer. One phone number. Local team with the specialist depth your internal staff can draw on.
What buyers ask before they sign.
How do you divide responsibilities between North Star and our internal IT staff?
We document a responsibility matrix at the start of the engagement. Typically internal staff handle tier-1 requests, physical hardware, and anything requiring hands-on access. North Star handles monitoring, security, patching, backup verification, after-hours escalations, and specialist projects. The split is flexible and adjusted as your needs change.
Will North Star try to replace our internal IT person?
No. The co-managed model is explicitly designed to support your internal staff, not displace them. Your internal person retains ownership and visibility into the environment through the same tools we use.
What tools does North Star use and will our IT person need training?
We use industry-standard RMM and PSA platforms. Most IT professionals pick up the basics within a few hours. North Star provides onboarding and documentation for your internal staff.
Is co-managed IT more or less expensive than full outsourcing?
Co-managed IT is typically less expensive per month than full outsourcing because your internal staff are handling a portion of the work. The total cost to your business (internal salary plus North Star retainer) may be comparable to full outsourcing, but you retain the in-house institutional knowledge.
What size of internal IT team does co-managed IT suit?
Co-managed IT works well for businesses with one to three internal IT staff. Larger internal teams sometimes use a similar model for specific disciplines like security or cloud, where they lack in-house expertise.
Want to strengthen your internal IT team?
Tell us about your environment and we will come back with a scoped proposal in two business days. No obligation, no pressure.
Start Your Free Assessment Back to Managed ServicesFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between managed and co-managed cybersecurity?
Managed services typically involve outsourcing your entire IT department to a provider. Co-managed cybersecurity is a partnership where Northstar IT supports your existing in-house team. We provide the advanced security tools, 24/7 monitoring, and specialised licensing that might be too costly or complex for a small internal team to maintain alone. This allows your staff to retain control while gaining enterprise-grade protection and peace of mind.
How does co-managed IT benefit Vancouver businesses?
Businesses in Vancouver often face high recruitment costs for specialised security talent. Our co-managed IT services allow you to access a full bench of experts for a fraction of the cost of one full-time hire. We handle the heavy lifting of security maintenance, backup management, and helpdesk overflow, enabling your local team to focus on business-critical projects and digital transformation without being bogged down by daily maintenance.
Can you help with Microsoft 365 and Azure security?
Yes, we specialise in Microsoft 365 and Azure environments. Our team provides co-managed security audits, identity management, and data loss prevention strategies. We work alongside your IT manager to ensure your cloud configuration follows best practices, reducing the risk of account takeovers or accidental data leaks. This collaborative oversight ensures your cloud infrastructure remains robust and compliant with modern industry standards and regulations.
Does co-managed IT include 24/7 helpdesk support?
Absolutely. One of the primary reasons BC companies seek co-managed IT services is to offload after-hours support or tier-one tickets. Our 24/7 helpdesk can act as an extension of your team, handling routine issues while your internal staff focuses on long-term infrastructure goals. This prevents staff burnout and ensures your employees receive technical assistance at any hour of the day or night, improving overall productivity.