MSP Success Magazine Dec/Jan 2023 | Page 6

Top Tech Trends For MSPs In 2023

To ensure your business is primed for growth and ready to provide the best products and services to your SMB customers in 2023 , you ’ ll want to consider the following trends and best practices in the IT space :
• Resurgence of the break-fix model
• Increased focus on data protection and advanced cybersecurity measures
• More efficient , integrated business management tools
• Streamlined documentation for relationship management , password storage , and more
According to the Datto State of the MSP Report , nearly all 1,800-plus MSP respondents now offer cloud-based infrastructure with a strong shift to the cloud . This shift is attributed to , in part , better storage design and implementation for collaboration across teams working in-office , hybrid , or remotely . Solutions like business continuity and disaster recovery ( BCDR ), productivity , and business continuity continue to be the main focus for MSPs . Competition , revenue growth , profitability , new customer acquisition , and workforce hiring are all top-of-mind concerns moving into the new year .
Resurgence Of The Break-Fix Model
Many MSPs were originally founded upon the break-fix model , and according to the State of the MSP Report , revenue from this model continues to increase . But this isn ’ t the break-fix model of years ago ; it focuses on the idea that internal IT departments at larger companies and enterprises often turn to MSPs to fix problems out of a reluctance to work with completely new vendors . This opens a new market for customer acquisition and also allows MSPs to provide co-managed IT services to internal IT departments by providing value to internal departments through audits , compliance best practices , cybersecurity implementations , and education .
Increasing Focus On Data Protection And Advanced Cybersecurity Measures To Combat Malicious Actors
Cybersecurity incidents are on the rise , with companies experiencing significant data and financial impacts from attacks such as malware , phishing , ransomware , and other forms executed against individuals and businesses by bad actors . As threat actors become savvier and implement harder-to-detect campaigns against businesses , it ’ s more important than ever that MSPs use proper lines of defense for their own data and their customers ’ data . According to the State of the MSP Report , the top security services provided by MSPs to their clients include email security , security framework and compliance auditing , identity access management and single sign-on , and mobile device management .
Protecting Email Inboxes
Email is the most successful delivery method for the costliest cyberattacks , including business email compromise , credential theft , and ransomware . An automated phishing defense platform can stop emerging threats in their tracks without technician intervention , providing advanced protection for lean IT teams and budgets .
Securing Networks And Environments
Organizations known for their best practices such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology ( NIST ) and the Center for Internet Security ( CIS ) strongly advocate for ongoing network vulnerability management , regardless of network size . It is also required by the General Data Protection Regulation ( GDPR ), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ( HIPAA ), and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards ( PCI DSS ). Vulnerability scanner tools can be broken down into five categories : network-based , hostbased , wireless , database , and application and are used to identify various security flaws across networks , workstations , environments , and web apps . By implementing a solution , MSPs can detect and remediate issues associated with outdated software , poor data encryption , misconfigurations , and authentication problems .
Implementing Better BCDR Solutions
Your front-line defenses may be strong , but what happens if a malicious actor somehow gains access to your systems ? With ransomware becoming increasingly more common and costlier , MSPs need to find ways to protect and back up their data in the event of a compromise . BCDR goes beyond simple data backup , enabling MSPs to rapidly restore individual files
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