Would you go to a doctor who tells you to stay away from sugary drinks as he is standing there drinking a coke? Would you feel confident about a mechanic who tells you to get your brakes fixed but yet he’s driving a car with the brake warning light on?
Would you turn to a Managed Service Provider (MSP) for compliance when they don’t meet compliance standards?
Not if you’re smart.
Compliance isn't just a set of checkboxes to tick off; it's a comprehensive approach to maintaining privacy, security, and trust in a digital ecosystem. Being compliant means an organization has taken those vital steps to ensure they meet the highest standards when it comes to cybersecurity. Why would you hire an MSP that hasn’t done this?
Vendors have access to your network. When they get hacked, you get hacked. Remember when Target got attacked? The attacker didn’t go after Target directly. They breached a third-party vendor: HVAC subcontractor. This vendor had been given remote access to Target’s network for billing, contracts and project management. Hackers phished the HVAC. Then they moved laterally across the network.
So, let’s talk about compliance alignment with your MSP.
Compliance standards are designed to safeguard sensitive information, ensuring it's handled securely and responsibly. When your MSP is not in strict adherence to these standards, it poses a significant risk to your organization, including legal penalties, financial loss, and damage to your reputation.
Here’s some other fun facts about the alignment between your compliance standards and those of your MSP:
- Your MSP likely handles, stores, or processes sensitive data on your behalf. Any laxity in their compliance could mean exposure of this data to unauthorized entities.
- Non-compliance can lead to hefty fines and legal consequences. If your MSP isn't compliant, you're indirectly exposed to these risks.
- Trust is hard to build and easy to lose. A breach due to non-compliance can severely tarnish your brand's reputation, leading to loss of business.
INCREASED RISK
Relying on an MSP that doesn't align with your compliance standards is akin to leaving your digital backdoor unlocked. It exposes you to several risks:
- Non-compliance can attract severe penalties, including fines and legal actions against your organization.
- A weak link in your MSP can lead to data breaches, compromising sensitive customer or business information.
- Customers expect their data to be protected. A breach, or even the risk of one, can lead to a loss of trust and, subsequently, business.
HOW TO ENSURE YOUR PROVIDER IS COMPLIANT
To mitigate risks, it's essential to ensure that your MSP adheres to the same compliance standards as your organization. Here are three critical areas to check:
- Policy and Procedure Documentation and Sign-Off
- Ask your MSP if they have up-to-date, comprehensive policies and procedures that align with your compliance requirements.
- Look for documented proof of compliance, such as sign-off from senior management within the MSP, indicating their commitment to adhering to these policies.
- Evidence Of Training
- Verify that the MSP conducts regular training for their employees on compliance and security best practices.
- Ask for records or certifications as proof of ongoing training to ensure their team is aware of and can adhere to necessary compliance standards.
- Validating THEIR Security Controls
- Request evidence of security controls and measures put in place by the MSP to protect your data.
- Validation from a third-party auditor can be a significant indicator that the MSP's security program is effective. This could include certifications like ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II, or others relevant to your industry.
3rd Party Validation Is Critical
Regular third-party validations ensure that your MSP not only meets the current compliance requirements but is also prepared for future changes. These validations provide an unbiased, expert assessment of the MSP's adherence to compliance standards, offering peace of mind that your data is in safe hands.
Your Managed Services Provider's adherence to compliance standards is not just a matter of checking boxes; it's a fundamental aspect of safeguarding your organization's integrity, reputation, and financial health. By ensuring that your MSP follows the same compliance pressures as your organization, you mitigate significant risks. Now you have a starting point for verifying your MSP's compliance. Regular third-party validations reinforce this compliance, ensuring that your MSP remains a reliable, secure partner in your organization's success.
There’s never a good reason to go to a doctor with unhealthy habits, a mechanic with faulty brakes, or an MSP who isn’t compliant.
