Blacksmith Wins Channel Program Category Leader Badge
Blacksmith has just been awarded the Channel Program’s prestigious Category Leader badge, a distinction reserved for the top-rated vendors in the IT channel across more than 80 technology categories. This achievement is a powerful endorsement from the Managed Service Provider (MSP) community, as Category Leader badges are earned through verified, real-world peer reviews and evaluations […]
Ransomware as a Service: The Shift in Cybercrime Targeting MSPs and Their Clients
Understanding Ransomware as a Service (RaaS) Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) is transforming the way MSPs face cybercrime, allowing anyone — not just technical experts — to launch devastating attacks through rented ransomware platforms. These service models reduce the barriers to entry for ransomware actors by providing them with ready-made toolkits, infrastructure, and support, while developers take a […]
MSPs and Incident Response Plans — An Overview
For Managed Service Providers (MSPs), incident response planning is a critical part of cybersecurity preparedness. With cyber threats targeting not only their own infrastructure but also their clients’ systems, MSPs face unique risks and high stakes when it comes to incident response. Having a clear, actionable incident response plan can mean the difference between business […]
Exploring the October 2025 Discord Data Leak
In early October 2025, Discord disclosed a significant data breach that exposed confidential user data through a compromise at a third-party customer support provider. This incident has triggered renewed concerns about supply chain security and the risks associated with trusted external vendors in today’s interconnected IT ecosystem. The breach not only affected Discord’s own systems […]
Rising Regulatory Pressure on SMBs: Why Compliance is Now a Critical Priority
It’s become a standard refrain in industry forums and vendor webinars: demand for compliance services is skyrocketing for managed service providers (MSPs) and their clients. But have you ever wondered exactly why this is happening? The answer isn’t just about headline-grabbing breaches or new technology — it’s about an unprecedented surge in regulatory pressure that’s now […]
Cyber Insurance and Compliance: The New Gatekeepers
Cyber insurance was once viewed as a safety net — merely a way for businesses to transfer risk in the event of a breach or ransomware attack. But that safety net is tightening. Rising premiums, stricter exclusions, and growing demands for evidence of security maturity mean that insurance is no longer a backstop you can […]
Compliance: Make 2025 the Last Year of Spreadsheets
It’s no secret that spreadsheet-driven compliance management is becoming obsolete. They might be familiar and easy to use, but spreadsheets introduce significant (and often hidden) risks that threaten operational efficiency, audit success, and security posture. The Risks of Spreadsheet-Based Compliance Spreadsheets rely heavily on manual data entry, which is inherently error-prone — any oversight can […]
Semi-Autonomous Security Operations: How AI and Humans Team Up
Semi-autonomous security operations are reshaping how organizations defend against evolving threats, marrying the strengths of AI-driven platforms with the irreplaceable judgement of human analysts. Advanced Security Operations Center (SOC) tools now automate initial triage, evidence gathering, and even aspects of incident response, enabling faster, around-the-clock threat detection and significantly reducing repetitive manual toil for security […]
How Cybersecurity Ratings and Compliance Help Build Strong Business Relationships
Cybersecurity ratings and compliance are more than technical checkboxes — they are key drivers in building strong business relationships and earning trust among clients, vendors, and partners. Building Trust Through Transparency Security ratings offer measurable insights into an organization’s cyber posture, making it clear whether robust controls and best practices are in place. High ratings […]
Stay Ahead or Fall Behind: Continuous Monitoring as a New Security Standard
Compliance has long relied on point-in-time audits — structured reviews conducted annually or semi-annually to check if organizations meet regulatory requirements. But as cyber threats grow more dynamic and regulators demand real-time assurance, that model is increasingly inadequate. Continuous monitoring is becoming the new standard, offering organizations a more proactive and resilient approach to compliance. […]