Forging Trust: How Compliance-as-a-Service Strengthens the MSP-Client Relationship
Historically, the technological “march of progress” has been fairly literal — driven forward by the needs of military forces out for conquest or seeking to protect their homelands. Think about it. How much tech is a result of the constant need to outdefend, outmaneuver, and outflank an opposing force? As an MSP concerned with cybersecurity, you know this better than most.
This point-counterpoint dance goes back centuries. Whereas the modern digital landscape is teeming with cyberthreats, the actual landscape of Europe in the Late Middle Ages had its own dangers — usually in the form of enemies with very pointy weapons. Until the late 13th and early 14th centuries, your best defense against their attacks would be chainmail and thick, linen padding. While both were effective in many cases, they were not as protective as the plate armor that was starting to trend upward. Solid sheets of hammered steel, shaped to the body and capable of deflecting all but the most penetrating blows. By the 1320s, plate armor started to cover wearers (who could afford it) from head to toe and represented both the pinnacle of personal protection and battlefield status.
For a time, these suits of armor completely shifted the nature of warfare. A fully-armored knight was, in essence, a human tank. While they weren’t invulnerable, a knight was certainly an intimidating force multiplier capable of standing against dozens of unarmored counterparts, largely because he could focus on his targets while the armor protected him from errant strikes from the periphery. Plate armor was confidence made manifest.
Naturally, the knight wearing this armor put a great deal of trust in the smith he commissioned to create it. (Poor craftsmanship isn’t excusable when angry fellows are poking at you with spears.)
In the realm of managed service providers (MSPs), the relationship with clients hinges on the same manner of trust. Just as that knight depends on his cuirass to deflect an incoming arrow, businesses rely on their MSPs to provide robust security and compliance solutions that protect their vital operations. Understanding that interplay between compliance, security, and trust is essential for MSPs looking to bolster their client relationships.
Compliance: The Blueprint of Trust
Compliance acts as the blueprint for trust, much like a blacksmith’s detailed design for a suit of armor. It must be custom fitted and carefully built to the user’s needs. In our world, regulatory standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS set the expectations for how data should be handled, stored, and protected. When MSPs offer compliance as a service, they help clients navigate these often complex requirements and build well-fitting protection, ensuring that their operations meet all necessary legal and regulatory standards.
By adhering to these standards, MSPs demonstrate their commitment to protecting their clients’ interests. This compliance not only mitigates risks but also assures clients that their MSP is both knowledgeable and diligent in safeguarding sensitive information.
Security Policies: The Metal and Craftsmanship
While compliance provides the blueprint, security policies are the metal and craftsmanship that give the armor its strength. Security policies define the procedures and practices that keep data secure. They encompass everything from access controls and encryption to incident response strategies.
For an MSP, implementing robust security policies is akin to a blacksmith tempering steel to enhance its resilience. These policies must be meticulously crafted and consistently applied to ensure they can withstand the various threats that clients may face. By providing strong security measures, MSPs help build a protective barrier around their clients’ data, instilling confidence in their ability to safeguard critical information.
Trust: The Finished Suit of Armor
Ultimately, trust is the finished suit of armor forged from the twin elements of compliance and security. Clients must trust that their MSP has not only followed the regulatory blueprint but has also applied the highest standards of security craftsmanship. This trust is what allows businesses to operate with confidence, knowing that their data is protected and their operations are compliant.
Just as a knight trusts an armorsmith with their life, businesses place their trust in MSPs to protect their digital assets. This trust is earned through a demonstrated commitment to compliance and security. When MSPs consistently deliver on these fronts, they forge lasting relationships with their clients, built on the assurance that their business is in safe hands.
How are you forging trust with your clients? If you’re not offering compliance-as-a-service and well-crafted security policies, are you giving them the confidence they need to wade into digital uncertainty?
Schedule a demo, and we’ll stoke the forge fires. Blacksmith Infosec will fast-track you to a finished product that any knight would be proud of — and long-lasting client relationships based on trust and confidence.
