The MSP Zone

Understanding the Difference Between Security and Privacy Incidents

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

How One MSP Grew During the Pandemic

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

My Advice for Break-Fix Providers

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.

Managed Services Mid-Year Review for 2020

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. 

Is Your MSP Practice Ready for the Pandemic Recovery?

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 Services

Private Equity Moving on Managed Services & the Datto IPO Analysis

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

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 expectations based on the level of professionalism from that MSP. 

What does the MSPAlliance do for MSPs?

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 cybersecurity and operations framework
Improve the understanding of managed services within the US banking community
GDPR
MSP regulation

Can Insurance Companies Make Money with MSPs?

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 at more accurate premiums?

Monthly Agreements and MSP Valuations

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.