2020 Managed Services Year in Review

2020 will be a historic year, not just because we had a global pandemic. The managed services profession achieved some significant milestones this year. We will examine a few of the highlights in this year-end review of 2020. 
MSPs Rose to the Challenge in 2020
The pandemic caused a major separation between professional MSPs and other IT providers
Regulation of IT is now upon us
Managed services contracts went through some changes this year. Terms, risk strategies, even negotiating tactics
Cyber Attacks - both against MSPs and clients
Changes in ransomware payment policy
IT labor uncertainties created new opportunities for MSPs
MSP Zone Guest: Rob Scott, Scott & Scott, LLP

The Unintended Consequences of MSP Regulation

MSP regulation is upon us. But, could there be unintended consequences not foreseen by the regulators and legislators passing such laws? Today, we talk to a Louisiana based MSP to get his thoughts on what impact MSP regulation may have on managed service providers. 
Landon Futch - Essential Solutions, LLC
Will the laws & regulations actually make MSPs and their clients safer?
Is MSP regulation an excuse for poor client cyber hygiene?
Will new security laws force better IT security behavior amongst clients?
Will the law impact both governmental and private customers?

MSSP - Build or Partner

If you are wanting to accelerate your steps towards offering managed security, you have a few options, including build or partner. Today’s episode discusses some of the pros and cons of both the build and partner methods. What are some of the common MSSP challenges? Should MSPs build or partner?Has Work From Home disrupted the legacy managed security deliverable? What is a SOC? Is it just a NOC with a SIEM?MSP Zone Guest: Brian Stoner, Stellar Cyber

Current Best Practices in Managed Service Contracts

Managed services agreements are crucial for MSPs and clients. Everything from the duration of the agreement, to pricing, limitation of liability, and other elements necessary to the relationship between MSP and client must be articulated within the managed services agreement. 
Today's program examines the current best practices as it pertains to how MSPs ought to construct their managed services agreements. 
Episode Highlights: 
Term of agreements - Monthly, 1 year, and 3-year options, each offering pricing discounts depending on term
Cancellation clauses directly impact the term of the agreement.
Price protections
Response times vs resolution times
Insurance - the goal should be a “zero risk” position for the MSP
Limitation of liability
MSP Zone Guest: Rob Scott of Scott & Scott, LLP

The evolution of MSPs in the age of Covid

As we near the end of 2020, a year that has brought significant global change to everyone, we also look at the ways how this year has impacted the managed services profession and the customers relying on MSPs. While 2020 brought undeniable change, it also brought opportunities to use change as a way to survive and improve upon outdated and even inefficient business practices. This is especially true in IT management. 
Program Highlights:
The evolution of networks in the age of Covid and remote/mobile workers
The Threat Landscape evolving trends
The need for advanced security, especially for encrypted traffic
The importance of a layered security solution
MSP Zone Guest: Robert Krug, of Avast Software