One of the biggest misconception MSPs have about certifications and audits is that if the MSP does not host the data, there is no need to examine the MSP. This is false!Program Highlights: 1) Remote access. Limiting administrator access. MFA. Password management. 2) Ransomware attack vectors. 3) MSP tools. RMM, ticketing, backup, etc.
Not every cyber attack involves a data breach. Some network breaches do not involve the loss of personally identifiable data. Understanding the distinction between security and privacy incidents will matter greatly as you decide how you should respond, both within your MSP practice and on behalf of your clients. MSP Zone Guest: Rob Scott, Scott & Scott, LLP
Long time MSPAlliance member and practicing MSP Jim Van of Logicomm sits down with The MSP Zone and discusses MSP regulation, the ongoing maturity of the MSP profession, and how his MSP practice actually experienced growth during the pandemic. MSP Zone Guest: Jim Van, CEO of Logicomm
2020 has been a challenging year, particularly so for break/fix, reactive IT providers. What is the best strategy and recommendation for these providers as we pass the mid-way point of 2020? Let's take a look.
2020 has been an unusual year for almost everyone on the planet, including managed service providers. How have MSPs been doing since the pandemic? The answer may surprise you.
MSPs (and their clients) are facing a diverse set of opportunities and challenges as we enter the economic and social recovery from this global pandemic. What your MSP practice will face can depend greatly on a number of factors. In this episode, we speak with an MSP and get his perspective on how his clients are doing, how his MSP practice is doing, and what MSPs need to do in order to make the most of this economic recovery period. MSP Zone Guest: Joe Foos, Development Director, Zag Technical ...
Stock market volatility, election year uncertainty, and pandemic effects still being felt, all lead investors to pull out of equity markets and put their money into private equity as a place to realize healthy financial returns. This could mean big changes for the MSP professional community. Plus, we analyze the Datto IPO update, and its potential impact on other RMM platform companies.
Defining the amateur MSP is helpful, if not necessary, for a number of reasons. First, any profession needs to have clearly defined levels or ranges of professionalism. Definitions of professionalism matter both to the consumer of those services, but also to those looking at regulating or legislating. This working definintion of what an amateur MSP looks like is primarily so consumers and regulators can quickly understand the different types of MSPs practicing today, and properly set expectation...
As MSPAlliance celebrates 20 years serving the MSP profession, we thought it would be helpful (especially for the newer members) to hear about some of the ways the MSPAlliance has helped lead this industry. Many of the activities we engage in are not public nor are they "press release" material. Nevertheless, the actions of the MSPAlliance have always attempted to help everyday MSPs improve themselves, and their clients. Program Highlights: California Anti-spyware legislation Developing MSP cybe...
Several notable insurance companies have publicly stepped back from insuring MSPs. What does this mean for the managed services profession and how can insurance companies better understand MSPs and their critical role in protecting against cyber attacks? Program Highlights: Are insurance companies really taking losses from MSPs or "other" types of IT provider? Are end-user organizations better with MSPs or without MSPs? How can insurance companies better assess MSP (and end-user) risk to arrive ...
Adoption of month-to-month managed services agreements may be on the rise, but what will this do to MSP valuations? The answer may surprise you. Monthly a multi-year agreements have their place in the managed services sales tool kit. How they are used should depend on your sales and service objectives. Multi-year agreements, however should not be used solely for the purposes of increasing the value of your MSP business.
Work from home may be the new normal, but "Bring Your Own Security" should not be. While most organizations have been struggling with the pandemic, including the establishment of work from home policies, many of these employees are left without any guidance or tools needed to protect them from cyber attack. MSP Zone Guest: Corey Munson, vice president of PC Matic
Data is everything in the MSP community. The type of data you manage can dictate how much risk you take on, how you sell, and ultimately, how you price your managed services. Do you know the type of data you are managing and are you prepared to protect it? MSP Zone Guest: Eran Farajun, executive vice president of Asigra
Most MSPs use at least 1 public cloud to deliver their managed services. Increase security, flexibility, and scalability are all features driving more MSPs into the public cloud. But, dealing with public cloud vendors is not without risk. Public cloud agreements can contain many provisions leaving MSPs holding most of the risk. How can you protect yourself against these one-sided public cloud agreements? MSP Zone Guest: Rob Scott, Scott & Scott LLP
MSP registration is here. The State of Louisiana has passed a law, the first of its kind, dealing with mandatory MSP registration. What does this law mean for MSPs and what should you do to prepare for what comes next? Program Highlights: Overview of the law Expansion of MSP registration to other states/countries MSP registration for other industry verticals such as banking and healthcare Future regulation of MSPs
MSP platform vendors have undergone a lot of change in the last few years. The same is true with their partner agreements. But, are these agreements too one-sided and do they put too much risk on the MSP? MSP Zone Guest: Rob Scott, partner at Scott & Scott LLP
Dealing with Ransomware is something every MSP faces, whether directly or on behalf of a client. MSPs must know what to expect, how to interact with ransomware organizations/individuals, and how to protect their clients. MSP Zone Guests: Eran Farajun, executive vice president of Asigra, and Jason Kotler of Cypfer
Now that the global economy is re-awakening, our attention must turn to areas where MSPs can achieve success, and learn from the past to avoid areas which may not be ready for business as usual. It's time to rebalance your client portfolio. MSP Zone Guest: Eran Farajun, executive vice president of Asigra
Every MSP uses some combination of RMM and ticketing technology. But, what are the security issues related to use of those platforms and how can MSPs ensure they are protected? MSP Zone Guest: Product Marketing Director at VIPRE Security
MSPs are about to experience a surge in business as the global economy re-awakens. But, how will MSPs achieve success and scalability without a steady supply of experienced technical and industry talent? MSP Zone Guest: Eran Farajun, executive vice president of Asigra
Where do investors turn when the stock market, gold, and real estate no longer provide safety? Managed services. MSPs are becoming a safe bet for many investors looking to diversify and achieve solid returns.
Do MSPs have more liability if they host data? I don't own a data center; do I still need to get certified? Many MSPs have these questions. We will be discussing these topics, and more on today's program. There are many misconceptions when it comes to MSPs, data hosting, co-location, and how these components of a typical managed services practice are used.
Many organizations believe practicing good cyber hygiene is an impossible task. But it may be easier than you realize. Understanding the risks, developing a plan, and implementing effective and reasonable controls can help your organization flatten the cyber risk curve. MSP Zone Guest: Eran Farajun, executive vice president of Asigra
What is application whitelisting? Why is it needed? How can application whitelisting improve your internal MSP security as well as that of your clients? Join our guest Corey Munson as he describes the many advantages to a whitelisting security approach to protect MSPs and clients alike, especially amidst rapidly emerging trends such as BYOD and remote work. MSP Zone Guest: Corey Munson, vice president of sales at PC Matic
You've experienced a cyber breach. Now what do you do? This is a situation many organizations have never experienced, but likely will in the near future. Cyber attacks are on the rise and show no signs of decreasing. But, you can increase you chances of surviving a cyber attack by doing some simple things. Join cybersecurity expert and former FBI Special Agent Brent Watkins as he discusses effective steps MSPs can take, before and after, a cyber attack occurs. MSP Zone Guest: Brent Watkins, Spec...
MSPs face more employees working remotely, and have more end-user customers dealing with remote work environments. What are the challenges and opportunities this presents to both MSPs and clients? We will discuss these topics, and more, on today’s program. Guest: Eran Farajun, executive vice president of Asigra
Everybody knows the risks of ransomware include a financial cost. But, are you factoring in all the costs? Should you pay if you are impacted by ransomware? Is it worth it?
Free trials, flexible terms, force majeure. What do these terms mean and how should your MSP practice put them into effect? We'll be discussing these topics, and more on today's episode. Guest: Rob Scott, partner at Scott & Scott LLP
There are many types of managed services pricing models being used today. Whatever model you use, risk should be accounted for somewhere in your pricing of managed services offerings. Towards that goal, risk-based pricing is an effective overlay to your existing pricing scheme and something every MSP should evaluate. Put differently, risk-based pricing is a necessary ingredient to whatever pricing model you happen to use. If you use per user/seat pricing, risk-based modeling can be overlaid; if ...
For those of you not already delivering managed services around "IoT" devices, it might be ready for you to consider doing so. The market for IoT and security are projected to increase steadily over the next several years. Market demand for these services will further be fueled by increased remote worker environments globally. MSPs need to be preparing for the following: Remote worker support IoT impact on remote work environments Security implications from remote work clients Security implicati...
