The MSP Zone

Our interview with an MSP focusing heavily on healthcare offers some valuable insights into how that sector has done throughout the pandemic.  Highlights:  Pandemic has forced positive changes within a stagnant medical industry Internal IT for small and mid-sized medical practices not equipped for this new pandemic model Reallocation of IT resources to focus on core IT competencies and strategic g...

It used to be that MSPs would manage servers, desktops, firewalls, and other business and infrastructure objects for their clients. Many still do. Yet, as software as a service (SaaS) continues to proliferate in today's changing business environment, MSPs need to be able to managed SaaS platforms as effectively as they did the servers and desktops of yesterday.  Gavin Garbutt of Augmentt talks abo...

Managed Service Provider Ensono recently conducted a study of end-user organizations who reported some interested results related to IT spending and prioritization.  43% of IT decision makers feel their relationship with business leaders has improved since the start of the pandemic 1 in 3 have been given more scope to define IT spend 1 in 3 organisations are looking to increase IT budgets 56% of I...

The war on cybercrime is now upon us. Globally, organizations of all sizes face unprecedented attacks on their IT assets. Luckily, MSPs are on the job and ready to defend against these attacks.  But, where are the attacks coming from and what methods are being used to fulfill these cyberattacks?  MSP Zone Guest: Terry McGraw, president of PC Matic Federal

How do you achieve safe cyber hygiene with your managed services customers. How about your contracts?  Managed services contracts are one of several effective ways you can influence your customers to adopt safe and secure cyber hygiene practices (not to mention protecting your managed services practice).  MSP Zone Guest: Rob Scott, Scott & Scott LLP

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 th...

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 regul...

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 themse...

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 wi...

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 valu...

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 agre...

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...

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