Simply said, data is the lifeblood of any modern organization. It serves as the bedrock for digital transformations that enable competitive differentiation and growth. It is also a business accelerator for forward-thinking companies because it helps leaders analyze and measure business operations across departments and initiatives. Data is the foundation for MSPs to drive new income streams and attract new customers. MSPs who offer clients digital transformation services will prosper this year.
With digital transformation comes huge data expansion as well as new risks and dangers, the most prominent of which is ransomware. And small businesses are the most vulnerable, making up more than half of ransomware victims, according to Forbes. With more data to manage, protect, and recover, MSPs must pull out all the stops to provide the greatest ransomware defences to their customers. However, there is no silver bullet for preventing ransomware. That is why you must collaborate with your clients — adopting a multi-pronged approach that consists largely of three components:
1. Improve cybersecurity measures
In this first-stage defence against ransomware, layering has been the name of the game. As an MSP, you’re used to offering antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-spam, single sign-on (SSO), identity and access management (IAM), and other security solutions. But here’s the catch. Even your most prepared customers—those who have a multitude of security software and hardware—can and will be targeted. All it takes is one employee clicking on a bad link or opening a single infected PDF to lock up your customers’ data. So, what comes next?
2. Ensure well-coordinated recovery
You must assist your clients in implementing a solution that allows them to recover their data and systems in a prioritised sequence. This ensures that their most vital systems are up and running promptly, allowing their business to resume operations. While many of your clients are likely using backup and disaster recovery (BDR) solutions, you should also provide the same security levels for their backup systems. Backups are becoming the next target for ransomware attackers. And by solutions, we don’t just mean anomaly detection because we know that’s insufficient. Protect your clients’ on-premises, cloud, and SaaS backups.
3. Implement effective data protection procedures.
To assist your clients in keeping their data secure, ensure that they train their staff to spot social engineering and other cyber scams and to always keep their guard up. Ascertain that they have multi-factor authentication (MFA) and other methods for restricting access to data and apps. And test those processes with your clients so that everyone is convinced they will work if (or when) a crisis happens. Helping your clients develop a strategy for these important components, as well as providing the finest solutions available today to battle ransomware, will set you apart from the competition.
About MSP Corp
MSP Corp understands you’ve worked hard to build your business and you want to protect it. With a mission to be a world-class business partner for MSP owners across Canada, we actively seek to acquire and partner with owners looking to secure the value of the business they have built and provide a seamless exit process that ensures business continuity and employee and client stability.
Contact us today to learn more about selling your business and maximizing its value.