Going without IT is not an option. But which approach should you choose?
By Bryan Johnson, IT Director at Alliant National Title Insurance Company
Having a consistent, secure and reliable digital presence is a must for any business. Without it, you will be hard-pressed to convert new customers or maintain a competitive edge. Of course, this presents interesting challenges, especially for small businesses, as you’ll need to decide on the best approach for your IT needs: make an in-house, full-time hire, partner with a managed service provider or outsource specific needs to a contractor.
Why is IT support necessary?
It can be tempting to skimp on IT resources. But in 2026, even small agencies rely on cloud apps, e-signature tools, remote access, email and file-sharing platforms that need to be managed safely. Cybersecurity concerns alone justify seeking IT support, from phishing and business email compromise to ransomware, wire fraud and tech-enabled scams. For industries like title insurance, the need for IT help has additional urgency, as agents routinely deal with sensitive consumer and transaction information.
Having an IT expert pays off in other ways as well. From staying up to date on the latest trends to keeping your systems properly updated, managing backups, access controls, user training and incident response planning, dedicated technology professionals can bring exceptional value to any title agency.
Contractor vs. employee
Let’s discuss some of the big differences between a contractor and an employee. While pay and taxes are critical ways in which they diverge, perhaps even more substantial is the issue of autonomy. Employees are hired with the understanding that the work they perform will be done per the direction of the company. Contractors, on the other hand, typically have far more control over when, where and how the work gets completed. In 2026, agencies may also consider a managed service provider, or MSP, which can offer ongoing monitoring, help desk support and cybersecurity services without requiring a full-time hire.
To hire or to contract? That is the question.
So, should you hire an IT expert or simply contract with a firm or individual? Ultimately, it depends on your agency’s needs. Contracting with a professional or working with an MSP can carry significant financial benefits, helping you save money on everything from health insurance to vacation time, but other questions are equally important to consider:
- How urgent are your IT needs?
- Making a full-time hire often takes considerably more time than contracting a professional. Can your projects wait, or do you need to move immediately? Keep in mind that the market for qualified IT, cloud and cybersecurity talent remains competitive, and it can take time to find someone with the right mix of technical, security and title industry knowledge.
- Do you need continuous support or project-based assistance?
- Do your systems and operations require continuous IT support, or does it make sense to hire on an “as-needed” basis as projects pop up? Quite often, businesses have one-off projects that require highly specialized skill sets, such as cloud migration, Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace administration, backup and recovery testing, security assessments or data engineering. In those cases, it may not make sense to hire someone full-time.
- Can you absorb the losses if you make a bad IT hire?
- The cost of making a bad hire can be significant once you factor in recruiting, onboarding, disruption and lost productivity. Hiring a contractor or MSP lowers those stakes considerably, as these relationships are typically temporary or service-based.
- What are your concerns about regulation and liability?
- Because title insurance is a heavily regulated industry, you must consider regulatory obligations, liability and vendor oversight when bringing in technology contractors. That includes how they protect customer information, manage access, document controls, support compliance obligations and respond if something goes wrong. You should also think about how long it will take a contractor to understand your workflows and get up to speed.
- Are your security basics covered?
- At a minimum, your IT team should be able to help you with fundamentals like multi-factor authentication or passkeys, patching, endpoint protection, secure file sharing, tested backups, basic monitoring and clear policies for any AI tools your team uses.
No two businesses are the same
As with any other aspect of a business, no two companies are the same when it comes to IT. What is straightforward for one firm might be more complicated for another. What’s universal, however, is the need for high-quality technology professionals who can help agencies stay secure, efficient, compliant and profitable. By approaching the decision strategically and weighing all relevant considerations, agencies can find a solution that works for their business.
