The MSP Zone

How NOT to Respond to the Kaseya Ransomware Attack

To all of you bloggers out there with aspirations of becoming an "expert" in managed services and providing MSPs with advice on how to respond to the Kaseya ransomware attack, this podcast is for you!  

What MSPs Need to Know about the Kaseya Ransomware Attack

An interview with Rob Scott about the legal, political, and business impact of the Kaseya ransomware attack. 
Highlights: 
Breach requirements for MSPs  
Role of insurance 
The sequence of steps taken by MSPs post-breach  
Dealing with vendor contract limitations  
Is this a gross negligence situation? 
MSP Zone guest: Rob Scott  

My Thoughts on the Kaseya Breach

My random thoughts on the Kaseya breach and how the managed services profession will ultimately respond. 
Highlights: 
Don't Panic! 
How will this impact the managed services profession? 
MSPs 
Customers 
Vendors 
Legislators 
There will be an industry response
This event will change the nature of how we look at the roles and responsibilities within the managed services profession. It will also influence change in how we contract and insure the several parties within the managed services ecosystem 

Risks of Shadow IT and How MSPs Can Fix Them

MSPs face many realities when it comes to the management of customer IT environments. Shadow IT is a reality amongst many corporate organizations and very little is known about it or how pervasive it really is. But, there are steps MSPs can take to bring shadow IT under control and manage it more effectively, on behalf of their managed services customers.
Highlights:
The biggest problems caused by Shadow IT
Securing your client’s environment when the perimeter no longer exists
SaaS management opportunities for MSPs?
Where does SaaS Management fit on the MSP maturity curve?
MSP Zone Guest: Derik Belair, Augmentt 

More States Implementing MSP Regulation

Louisiana may have been the first State to pass an MSP law, but it certainly won't be the last. Four other states, including North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York, and Texas, all have bills that deal with ransomware payments, and even some specifically mentioning MSPs.  
Highlights: 
NY Law - NY State Senate Bill S6806A (nysenate.gov) 
NC Law - House Bill 813 (2021-2022 Session) - North Carolina General Assembly (ncleg.gov) 
TX Law - TX HB3892 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | LegiScan 
PA Law - Bill Information - Senate Bill 726; Regular Session 2021-2022 - PA General Assembly (state.pa.us) 
MSP Analysis 

Service Guarantees – Should MSPs Use Them?

Whether they are called SLAs or service guarantees, the concept of outcome-based terms within a contract is not new for MSPs. Whether MSPs should still continue to use guarantees within their service agreements today, that is a different question.  

Rise of the Cybersecurity Reseller

Will cybersecurity resellers have an impact on managed service providers? Like the value-added resellers of yesterday, these upgraded VARs are making a splash by capitalizing on cybersecurity. But, what is it they are really offering? Are they delivering any services themselves?  
 
Highlights:  
Traditional VARs vs. Cybersecurity Resellers 
Are these cybersecurity resellers offering any managed services?  
What can MSPs do to differentiate themselves?  

What is the Difference between Reactive and Proactive Providers?

Besides the obvious answers to this question, such as profit margin, ability to scale, efficiency, and higher customer satisfaction, one of the biggest differentiators between MSPs (proactive) and reactive or break/fix providers, is their view of data privacy and security. 
Summary 
Data breach requirements
Monitoring & Management
Cybersecurity controls 

Should MSPs Charge More for High Profile Clients?

Pricing your managed services offerings has been a longstanding debate within the MSP community. When certain types of customers present more lucrative targeting from cybercriminals, perhaps it is time to revisit pricing techniques for MSPs and their more high-profile clients. Summary:
Risk-Based Pricing Review
MSP internal risk assessments; should they involve clients?
Insurance, best practices, and legal agreements all impact your pricing and risk

Setting up Your Managed Services Portfolio

There are many reasons why you should have a managed services portfolio. Some call it a service catalog, others a service offering. Whatever you call it, the importance of having it within our managed services practice is crucial and can have many long-term impacts throughout your business.
Summary: 
Why is a service catalog important?
Managed Services are not consulting services 
Precise service offerings are easier to communicate in a service agreement