In addition to ensuring that their network service delivery platform is protected, service providers must make sure the customers to whom they connect are protected.

3 Min Read
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Managed service providers and managed security service providers encounter complex challenges when it comes to meeting the threats and business requirements of cybersecurity. In addition to ensuring that their network service delivery platform is secure from a breach, MSPs must also make sure customers with whom they connect are protected. MSPs need to proactively take this action to ensure bad actors can’t utilize their customer to pivot into their platform.

A recent scenario involved an MSP that was conducting IT work for a small healthcare company. A hacker was successfully able to breach a customer connected to the MSP’s service and gained access into the MSP’s network service platform. The hacker then pivoted into the MSP’s customer, the clinic network, through the MSP service connection and removed healthcare records. HIPAA fined both the healthcare clinic and the MSP, which suffered a significant blemish on its reputation.

This type of scenario could easily happen to any MSP that lacks a robust security strategy addressing the complexities of its business. To avoid being the next casualty of a cybersecurity breach, you need to put together a game plan to secure your environment successfully. Your game plan should include the following:

  1. Conducting an assessment and PEN test, including physical and social engineering for your network and employees.

  2. Identifying and segmenting your customers based on compliance and their third-party compliance requirements to ensure their data is protected in your environment.

  3. Identifying and implementing the necessary security solutions to secure your environment based on assessments.

  4. Establishing your own security policies. This step will allow you to comply with your customers’ third-party compliance requirements.

  5. Using an external security monitoring service to secure your environment 24/7.

  6. Creating messaging to communicate your security readiness via the web and social media channels. When you communicate the length to which your environment is protected and help them protect their environment, it gives your company credibility, which will become a competitive advantage. Make sure your customers understand the importance of security as a service provider for them.

Your customers rely on you as not only as a technology and services advisor but a company that fully understands the latest security compliance requirements. Allow our industry experts to help keep you on top of the cybersecurity compliance regulations. Contact Tech Data’s security solutions team at [email protected] to learn more about how we can help both you and your customers get secure and remain compliant.

John Komer has enjoyed a 40-year career in the technology industry. Prior to joining Tech Data as a solutions practice consultant, he spent 25 dedicated to cybersecurity. John has enjoyed technical roles involving voice and data networks, video, data center, security, and designing and installing solutions for customers. John has held roles as a system engineer, sales account manager, global account manager and founder of a security consulting company for cybersecurity after the 9/11 WTC attacks to help the Department of Homeland Security. John is involved in many security technology groups giving presentations and helping drive vendor involvement in these groups.

This guest blog is part of a Channel Futures sponsorship.

 

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