Preferred Cybersecurity & IT lands on 2026 MSP 501 list

Preferred Cybersecurity & IT was named to the 2026 MSP 501, a global ranking of managed service providers released July 1, 2026. The recognition highlights the Chicago-area firm’s financial strength, recurring-revenue model and shift to a cybersecurity-first business strategy.

Why it matters: - The MSP 501 is one of the managed services industry’s most closely watched rankings. - Inclusion can signal operational strength, sustainable growth and recurring-revenue discipline to customers, partners and investors. - Preferred Cybersecurity & IT’s placement adds outside validation as the firm pushes a cybersecurity-first model.

What happened: - Preferred Cybersecurity & IT was named to the 2026 MSP 501 on July 1, 2026. - The recognition was announced in Chicago. - The MSP 501 is organized by MSP Summit and Channel Partners.

The details: - The MSP 501 has evaluated providers for 19 years using financial performance, operational efficiency and overall business health, not just revenue. - This year’s list drew on confidential data collected online from February to May 2026. - The ranking measures recurring revenue, profit margin and other factors tied to long-term viability. - The 2026 MSP 501 averaged more than $32 million in revenue. - The 501 companies on the list averaged 10% revenue growth. - Recurring revenue made up almost 60% of total revenue across the list. - Many of the ranked providers focus on security, cloud, AI, collaboration, networking, help desk and remote monitoring and management. - Christine Arden, founder and COO of Preferred Cybersecurity & IT, said the award reflects the company’s client relationships and its transformation into a cybersecurity-first business. - Arden said the company has built long-term relationships for more than 35 years and aims to help clients operate with peace of mind and a smarter bottom line. - Kelly Danziger, general manager of Channel Partners and MSP Summit, said the MSP 501 is a benchmark for excellence in managed services. - Robert DeMarzo, vice president of content for Channel Events, said the winners represent the highest-performing and most innovative IT providers in the industry. - Preferred Cybersecurity & IT was founded in 1990 by Christine and Vince Arden. - The company says it serves as a Midwest leader focused on bridging gaps between technology, compliance, security and business goals. - Preferred says it helps companies move from reactive, fragmented technology to more strategically focused operations. - The company’s website is preferredsys.com. - The company also shared updates on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Between the lines: - The MSP 501 favors firms that can show durable economics, which makes the ranking more selective than a simple size-based list. - Preferred Cybersecurity & IT is using the recognition to reinforce its repositioning around security and operational maturity. - The emphasis on recurring revenue and profitability suggests buyers are rewarding managed service providers with steadier, lower-risk business models.

What's next: - Preferred Cybersecurity & IT is likely to keep leaning on the MSP 501 recognition as proof point in client and partner conversations. - The broader managed services market will keep competing on security, cloud and AI capabilities as customers look for more integrated support. - Channel Partners and MSP Summit will continue using the MSP 501 to spotlight top-performing providers worldwide.