How MSPs Can Help Mitigate 4 Common SMB Cybersecurity Issues

Timur Kovalev

By Timur Kovalev, Chief Technology Officer, Untangle

With the continued rise in cybercrime and the devastating impact incidents can have on companies, many businesses are now looking to establish their first security program. For small and medium-sized businesses, this can be an especially intimidating task. SMBs must be vigilant about cybersecurity, even if they don’t have the staff to handle it internally.

Focused on growing revenue, many SMBs outsource their IT and cybersecurity services to managed service providers (MSPs). This outsourcing allows the SMB to focus critical resources on business operations, while the trusted partner can provide required technology services. That, for the most part, has been the usual. However, many MSPs now are offering distinct security services and changing their business offerings to become managed security service providers (MSSPs).

According to a recent study, nearly 90% of SMBs would consider hiring a new MSP if they offered the right cybersecurity solutions, and nearly half would pay at least 20% more for the right security solution from a new MSP. Knowing what SMBs need makes it possible for MSPs and MSSPs to bundle solutions that specifically cater to SMBs. Their budgets can therefore cover their IT needs, while upgrades and automating additional business tasks remains possible without causing as many operational disruptions.

Top SMB Cybersecurity Issues

So, MSPs and MSSPs — are you ready to be the most helpful to the SMB market? Here are the top cybersecurity issues facing SMBs right now and how you can help solve them.

• Remote offices: Remote workers and branch offices can be a liability when accessing company data and information without the proper cybersecurity safeguards in place. While these employees still need to access company data and information, sometimes over cloud-based software solutions, the network connections are often unsecured home or public Wi-Fi connections.

As the workforce grows, the usual limitations of a headquartered office have dissolved. Companies are now recruiting talent regardless of location because connectivity and accessibility options are at an all-time high.

MSPs should offer SMBs a VPN policy for remote users to ensure a secure and encrypted connection for all traffic bi-directionally. This will ensure the same policies and safeguards are enforced, regardless of proximity to the network.

• BYOD and IoT devices: Bring-your-own-device (BYOD) and Internet of Things (IoT) devices are all looking to connect to the network. IoT devices are built for efficiency and connectivity, without security in mind. Similarly, businesses cannot control what users are doing with their own devices or gain access into the security status of these devices.

The shift to BYOD has been driven by the ubiquity of consumer electronics and businesses accommodating employee requests to use their personal devices for work. The bottom line for businesses has also improved from BYOD policies, resulting in increased employee productivity and reduction in overhead costs to track and manage company-owned devices.

MSPs should look to offer SMBs a way of separating IoT and BYOD devices from the main corporate network. This will mitigate any issues if a device becomes infected with malware or if a hacker gains access to the device.

For a layered approach to secure network access, be sure to use an antivirus endpoint protection solution that integrates with an already established network security solution, like a next-generation firewall. These “better together” solutions will give you …