“How safe is my network?” you might wonder. It’s a question that most of us in the tech industry are asked regularly. But we don’t hear business owners asking, “How secure is my managed service provider (MSP)?” nearly enough.
Managed Service Provider?
A managed service provider (MSP) is a third-party company that operates a customer’s IT infrastructure and end-user systems remotely. Network and infrastructure management, security, and monitoring are examples of these services.
Your MSP can access sensitive data, including yours and others like you. MSPs are easy pickings for would-be cybercriminals. They’re easy pickings for them. They’re not immune to attack.
The company’s remote device management software targeted in the attack was then used to spread ransomware to customers. Fortunately, the company was able to respond quickly and shut it down before things worsened.
If there’s one takeaway from that story, you should be more cautious when selecting a service provider. If an MSP tries to persuade you to sign up for their cybersecurity, you should be wary of what they’re offering. Because if they’re offering you advanced cybersecurity solutions, they will undoubtedly use them themselves.
10 Important Client Information Security Questions to Ask Your Current or New MSP Provider
Assessment and Prevention of Risks
An MSP should identify and assess internal and external cybersecurity risks that may threaten the security or integrity of your clients’ non-public data stored across your information systems.
Here are some questions you should ask your MSP about their risk assessment methods.
- How often does the MSP test for vulnerabilities and conduct cybersecurity scans for your company?
- How does the MSP ensure that their remote access tools aren’t use maliciously to gain access to your network?
- Does the MSP keep track of the changes made to your systems by their engineers?
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Employee Onboarding and Offboarding
The lack of a comprehensive cybersecurity training program for MSP employees to educate them on proper security practices and procedures is the primary reason for this.
Here are some questions you should ask your managed service provider about their cybersecurity training policies.
- Does the MSP provide ongoing training for your company’s employees on updated security practices and procedures?
- What is the MSP’s policy on password changes for new employees and employees who are terminate?
- Does the MSP change their administrative passwords regularly?
Management of Passwords
Your MSP must have a robust password management system to prevent the passwords that secure your clients’ data from falling into the wrong hands.
Here are some questions you should ask your managed service provider about password management policies.
- Who will have access to your passwords at MSP?
- Does the MSP use shared passwords for multiple employees or does each service have its password?
- Does your MPS employ multi-factor authentication to access client data?
- Can your MSP’s employees log in with just a username and password to your network?
Partner with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) that places a high priority on cybersecurity protection.
Every business can develop and maintain a customized cybersecurity program designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your client’s information systems and critical data with the help of our experienced cybersecurity consultants.
RisingMax, as a leading IT Consulting Firms New York, can provide you with cybersecurity assessments, audits, and support to assist you in developing or improving a cybersecurity policy for your company.
