I agree with what you are saying. This is my first time being motivated to post a response. I am a student, once an IS Tech, laid-off due to downsizing. I am back in school to receive training to become more marketable (Network Security).

The trend that I have seen over time is that businesses think that I.S. services are an expense they can do without, contracting out services on an as needed basis. Reports such as the Hackett Group lend support to this type of cost inefficient thinking. As someone else has suggested, you get what you pay for. Certain business industries can't afford to have a network down waiting for the contractor to show up. Having someone onstaff, that knows the system well and is readily available is well worth the investment in money.

We work hard to keep abreast of knowledge & updates to protect the systems we serve through on-going training, reading and (re)certification. Aren't we worth the payment of services rendered?