The MSPAlliance announced that it would be addressing the issues of
cyber-security awareness, end-user assurance, and self-regulation related to
the delivery of managed IT services throughout the world. To accomplish this
objective, a community of MSPs who possess the MSP Verify certification will be
working throughout 2021 on various issues related to consumer and regulatory
interaction with managed services providers.
The MSPAlliance "leadership council" held a meeting in November to
discuss pressing issues facing MSPs and created a list of objectives including:
- General
education and awareness
- Communication/education
materials for regulatory and legislative agencies
- Vertical
industry outreach:
- Banking
- Healthcare
- Financial
Services
- Government
- Insurance
One of the primary objectives of the council is to effectively communicate
the significant steps MSPs have taken for over 20 years to self-regulate,
develop standards, and secure client information and IT assets.
"When you look at the body of work the professional MSP community has
developed, it is quite staggering," said Celia Weaver, president of
MSPAlliance. "The standards, best practices, and self-regulating steps
this organization has created should communicate significant trust and transparency
to anyone willing to look at it."
"It is important that regulatory and legislative bodies recognize the
higher standard of Managed Service providers holding MSP Verify
certifications," said Kevin Kilpatrick of Kilpatrick IT Solutions.
"These organizations have demonstrated compliance with standards and best
practices and proven adherence to the highest quality and security."
For regulated industries such as banking and financial services, dealing
with cyber risk, supply chain security, and protecting sensitive information is
of paramount importance. The leadership council will also be focusing on such
regulated markets in 2021.
"In order to avoid significant consequences in the face of a breach or
exam, Financial Services firms must select MSP and Cybersecurity partners that
have been verified to meet or exceed the regulatory requirements that they
themselves are subject to," said Brian Edelman, CEO of FCI Cybersecurity
Solutions
The work of the MSPAlliance and its leadership council in 2021 will be both
to provide assurance to the consumers of managed services, as well as to offer
meaningful guidance to the providers of such services.