A robust cloud security strategy will help MSPs keep their client’s data and information safe from technological threats. There are several best practices that MSPs can implement to mitigate these threats. For example, a strong credential protection platform such as N-able Passportal can keep credentials secure from hackers and ensure that only authorized users can access the data or applications they need.
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Automated Security Monitoring
Many MSPs rely on cloud-based tools to manage ICT systems, support sensitive processes, and scale their operations. As a result, they must ensure that their network infrastructure is secure and can provide comprehensive monitoring services for their customers. Unfortunately, implementing all the right security tools can be difficult, especially for MSPs with limited staff.
Fortunately, cloud security for MSP providers may allow them to monitor their infrastructure and customers’ networks. The tools can log activity and alert the MSPs to suspicious events. The tools can also help to prevent attacks by allowing the MSPs to detect and block unauthorized network connections or malware.
In addition, the tools can be used to scan and detect open-source vulnerabilities in cloud-native applications automatically. The MSPs can then assign security priorities and permissions to files, which remain attached to the file wherever it is stored in the cloud. MSP personnel can only sometimes be everywhere, so they need a solution that can verify users dynamically as they access different resources. Moreover, the solution must be easy to integrate and use. It should be a manageable setup or a long learning curve, as this would hamper MSP productivity and deter their ability to deliver security monitoring services quickly and effectively.
Identity and Access Management
To mitigate the risk of unauthorized access to data and cloud services, MSPs must deploy identity and access management (IAM) solutions. These help to define access policies and capabilities such as role permissions and multi-factor authentication. Ensure your team is trained to recognize and report suspicious activity regularly. The more your team understands security risks, the better it will be to prevent and respond to cyberattacks. Educate your staff on strong passwords, recognizing dangerous emails, and avoiding shadow IT.
Passwords can be easily breached, making MSPs vulnerable to network infiltration. A robust credential protection platform such as N-able Passportal helps to ensure that credentials are stored securely. This protects against hackers from breaching passwords and accessing sensitive information or privileged knowledge.
MSPs must also treat their admin access into customer networks as privileged, as any hacker that gains such access can then access customer infrastructure and intellectual property. An example was the recent cloud hopper hack, which gained access to many customers’ applications and shared infrastructure through stolen admin credentials. An effective privileged account management solution provides MSPs with a secure way to control access to customer environments using just-in-time security tokens like ephemeral certificates, which expire after use and don’t leave behind any stale credentials for misuse.
Encryption
Many MSPs rely on passwords for security, which hackers can breach. Adding a robust credential protection platform to your cloud security strategy and other threats like phishing attacks and remote logins can prevent this.
MSPs should employ software to see every user (IT staff and clients) and manage access to resources from multiple locations and devices. It should also allow them to automate day-to-day user access management and adjust permissions instantly as users join or leave the organization, change projects, etc. With data security at a premium, MSPS must secure managed and unmanaged devices (including BYOD) with encryption to protect data and communications from prying eyes. This can be done through a combination of security tools, including VPN, device encryption, and MFA. MSPs often handle sensitive customer data, such as PII. It’s, therefore, essential to encrypt data with a trusted solution. Using a turnkey security solution ensures that all encryption capabilities are integrated into one system and can evolve quickly in response to the latest threat landscape.
Threat Intelligence
The modern business world is a tumultuous digital sea, and MSPs are the lifeboats that keep their clients safely afloat. By strengthening their security offerings, embracing innovation, and empowering their clientele, MSPs can help businesses thrive in these treacherous waters.
A strong MSP cybersecurity strategy should include layered protection. This means combining different services to protect against changing cyberattacks. For example, combining anti-malware services with a dark web threat intelligence solution provides the ability to stop attacks early in their progression. Dark web intelligence reveals cybercriminals’ tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) and stops them from gaining access to a network.
Endpoint security, such as managed antivirus software, virtual private networks, and patch management, is another key component of an MSP’s security solutions. It helps prevent cyberattacks by guarding the servers, workstations, laptops, and other network equipment connected to a cloud-based system. By combining endpoint security with threat intelligence, an MSP can enhance its detection capabilities by identifying anomalies in the behavior of devices connected to its client’s cloud.
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