Podcast: Colonial Pipeline hack and the Executive Order, Episode 7
In the previous episode of the SmarterMSP Podcast, Jason Howells of Barracuda MSP summarized the insights from Global MSP Day, which took place in May 2021. Jason detailed many interesting trends within the “Evolving Landscape of the MSP Business Report...
Prepare for the next cyberattack with a cybersecurity checklist
From the supply-chain attack at the beginning of the year, to the ransomware attack that took down a major pipeline in the United States, cyberattacks have been doing significant damage in recent times. Now, the latest supply-chain attack that some...
IoT is exposing networks to cybersecurity vulnerabilities
Businesses that have been fortifying their computers against ransomware and other threats could be overlooking additional vulnerabilities within their ecosystem. While the office computers may be as secure as Fort Knox, IoT devices such as the copier, scanner, digital signage,...
MSPs celebrate growth as IT spending questions remain
Questions on the levels of IT spending from SMBs and other organizations will exercise in the future continue, even amongst recent significant MSP growth. Managed services generated nearly $8 billion in annual contract value in the second quarter of 2021,...
Sales & Marketing
Using MSP marketing to remain front of mind with customers
Previously, I wrote on SmarterMSP about removing serious mistakes from your MSP marketing activities that prevent them from being their most effective. In this post, I want to warn service providers of ways that their MSP marketing can fail to...
How to write a sales email to prepare prospects to talk
Despite a wave of technology-driven sales tactics, email still remains an effective marketing tool in terms of return on investment (ROI) for small to medium-sized MSPs. Even though any MSP can say they know How to Write a Sales Email,...
Getting uncomfortable to succeed with MSP marketing
MSP marketing isn’t a shot in the dark. It’s not a guess or a gut feeling. Successful client acquisition methods are all about discipline, consistency, and coping with ambiguity. I recognize that most business owners are in business to deliver...
Security
Spear phishing report: Attackers’ evolving tactics and targets
As cybercriminals adjust who they’re targeting most, all employees, not just top executives, need to be prepared for spear phishing attacks. Between May 2020 and June 2021, Barracuda researchers analyzed more than 12 million cyberattacks impacting more than 3 million...
Improper disposal of connected devices creates cybersecurity threat
Most companies are constantly refreshing their computers as technologies change, needs evolve, and security upgrades occur. As a result, there could be a cybersecurity threat collecting dust in a closet, or perhaps on its way to a dumpster. Furthermore, with...
Tech Time Warp: Sneaky SirCam worm slithers through inboxes
When it comes to use of social engineering in malware, the SirCam worm must be among the most insidious. The worm propagated itself in the usual way via email attachment. But SirCam didn’t carry a new email attachment—the typical “invoice”...
Better Business
Partner Spotlight: MSP achieves GDPR compliance using Barracuda RMM
SOTEC GmbH, headquartered in Laudenbach, Germany, is one of the leading IT systems integrators and service providers in the Rhein Neckar metropolitan area in southwestern Germany. Serving small businesses and enterprises, the company provides consultancy, security, GDPR compliance, and infrastructure...
What MSPs need to know about the American Rescue Plan
The United States government recently passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a stimulus package for American organizations and individuals that is specifically designed to facilitate the American recovery from the harsh economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each...
Next wave of COVID-19 fallout for MSPs starts to arrive
The COVID-19 pandemic is yet another classic example of an ill-wind that ultimately threw a lot of good in the general direction of managed service providers (MSPs). Naturally, the MSP community as a whole wishes it never happened, but like...
Tech Insight
Tech Time Warp: Zeus, Ruler of Malware?
The Zeus malware, like its Greek god namesake, is a powerful and virile Trojan malware. Since it first surfaced in July 2007 in an attack on the U.S. Department of Transportation, Zeus, aka Zbot, and its variants have wreaked havoc on the...
Difficult cloud migration experiences create demand for MSPs
A survey of 1000 IT decision makers suggests there is a much greater appreciation of just how challenging it is to manage a successful cloud migration of application workloads. Published by Next Pathway, a provider of a platform for automating...
Tech Time Warp: 1964 Olympic Games, aka the Technology Olympics
As the world’s eyes turn to Tokyo for the postponed 2020 Olympic Games, delayed to this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s worth also looking back at the 1964 Tokyo Games. Known as the “Technology Olympics,” the 1964 Games...