What is Couch to Compliance?
This is a bit of a teaser introduction to our brand-new Couch to Compliance program. (If you’re a partner or you’ve been on a Blacksmith demo, you might have already seen some emails about it. 😎) Couch to Compliance is all about making the leap from the sidelines into the action, turning the complex world […]
MSPs Face Compliance Crossroads: Managing Supply Chain, Third-Party, and Data Privacy Risks in 2026
MSPs (Managed Service Providers) are facing an urgent need to elevate their risk and compliance programs due to evolving supply chain, third-party, privacy, and disclosure requirements in 2025 and into 2026. For compliance leaders, keeping pace with these changes is no longer optional — it’s both a survival strategy and a proactive way to leverage […]
State Breach Laws, SEC Regulation S-P, and CIRCIA Drive Urgent Changes for 2025
Major regulatory and compliance changes in 2025 will transform how Managed Service Providers (MSPs) operate, manage risk, and support clients. Getting serious about compliance now is critical for MSPs who want to hedge against steep penalties and regulatory disruption in the years ahead.​ State Breach Notification Law Updates U.S. states such as California, New York, […]
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 […]
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. […]
Innovation at the Edge: Securing Progress Without Compromise
In cybersecurity and information security, innovation is both an opportunity and a liability. Organizations must adapt faster than adversaries, deploying new technologies, processes, and defenses to maintain advantage. Yet history shows that unchecked innovation — whether in AI-driven analytics, cloud migration, or zero-trust adoption — can introduce just as many vulnerabilities as it solves. The […]
Building Smarter Security Programs: How MSPs Can Win with Regulatory Frameworks
Cybersecurity isn’t just a technical problem but a business imperative, and the smartest Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are embracing this fact and rethinking the foundations of their security programs. The days of quick fixes and compliance as a checkbox are over. Today, the winning MSP strategy centers around building security on tried-and-tested regulatory frameworks — […]
What the U.S. Can Learn from Europe’s NIS2 Rollout: Lessons for Future Compliance
The European Union’s NIS2 Directive is sending ripples across the Atlantic — not only for U.S. companies already doing business in Europe but as a case study for what’s likely on the horizon in American compliance. As states and federal agencies introduce tougher cybersecurity mandates and incident reporting rules, NIS2’s implementation offers a unique preview […]