{"id":78313,"date":"2023-03-21T14:05:08","date_gmt":"2023-03-21T18:05:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/?p=78313"},"modified":"2023-08-30T09:34:57","modified_gmt":"2023-08-30T13:34:57","slug":"msp-data-compliance-hygiene-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/blog\/msp-data-compliance-hygiene-guide","title":{"rendered":"The MSP\u2019s Guide to Data Compliance Hygiene"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As part of our compliance campaign, we are re-releasing certain resources to help MSPs guide their clients through the steps necessary to achieve and maintain compliance. Enjoy this selection just for MSPs from our <\/em>Data Compliance Hygiene Guide.<\/em><\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mindset \u2014 it\u2019s often the difference between a smooth journey (with a few bumps along the way) or a stressful sprint to the finish line (with many twists and turns). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This applies to everything from menial tasks to large-scale initiatives. And for MSPs, mindset shapes not only how you think about things, but how you help your clients go about accomplishing them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an MSP, you\u2019re likely to encounter frazzled clients that have to become compliant with a regulating body or two turning to you for your expertise. There\u2019s two ways you can handle these requests:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. As just one more thing to deal with in your busy day-to-day responsibilities, or<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    1. An opportunity to teach your clients how to practice strong security hygiene that keeps everyone safe \u2013 and makes achieving compliance much easier.  <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      The good news \u2013 and the most important thing to assure your clients of \u2013 is that they don\u2019t have to be perfect to pass their audit. Instead, your job is to help them prioritize the right actions throughout<\/em> the year to ensure optimal results, rather than just focusing on the audit itself. And that means increasing emphasis on IT hygiene. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      This guide will review several IT hygiene practices worth adding to your clients\u2019 tech stacks to facilitate smoother audit processes. It will also explore the relationship between faster prep times and consolidated toolkits and systems. After reading, you\u2019ll have a better understanding of how to help your clients conduct internal audits, which proactive steps will save you time come audit season, and how to prepare them for official audits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The Benefits of IT Hygiene for MSPs <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      At first glance, you may not see the connection between IT hygiene and prepping your clients for audits. Audit preparation includes gathering lists of data and documentation, explaining control failures, and making remediation plans, while IT hygiene is about following through with best practices 24\/7. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      But much like a runner shouldn\u2019t begin training a week before a marathon, an MSP shouldn\u2019t start implementing IT hygiene the week before a client audit. Instead, creating a continuous culture of hygiene for your clients will make helping them achieve compliance a much lighter lift. In addition to facilitating smoother compliance experiences, prioritizing IT hygiene provides the following benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Helps identify inefficiencies <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Data regulations help MSPs to discover opportunities for more efficient processes, procedures, and tools. For example, in an effort to reduce your clients\u2019 attack surfaces and make compliance reporting easier, you may look for opportunities to eliminate redundancies or centralize your tech stack around a more efficient core platform. The less applications your staff has to manage, the easier compliance becomes, and the more freedom you have to serve even more clients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Reduces security vulnerabilities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      According to the Microsoft Digital Defense Report, basic security hygiene protects 98% of attacks. That\u2019s a critical figure for MSPs to know as data incidents continue to increase. Mitigating that threat for your clients should be a top priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Increases client trust <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Having a plan to help your clients meet and maintain their compliance requirements silently communicates that your MSP is up on the latest business trends, technologies, and security practices. In other words, good cybersecurity habits forge a bond of trust between your MSP and your clients. And that higher level of trust can translate to more referrals and more potential customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


      As an MSP, it can be hard to not feel like audits are just another thing your clients are leaning on you to guide them through. But they provide an opportunity for you to showcase your proven cybersecurity measures that keep your clients\u2019 data safe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      4 IT Hygiene Best Practices for MSPs to Follow <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Whether your client is a startup or a mom and pop shop, the best practices for achieving compliance are the same. The only difference is the amount of rigor required. Audits happen regularly, and regulations change frequently. Translation: you must consistently carve out time to review and improve your existing security practices, so when they come to you with compliance concerns, you\u2019re prepared. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1. Monitor your clients\u2019 regulatory requirements <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Talk to each of your clients to figure out which compliance regulations apply to them and which don\u2019t. Consider building your security hygiene strategy based on the clients with the most stringent compliance requirements. For example, while HIPAA compliance is non-negotiable for health organizations, ISO 27001 implementation is voluntary. Nonetheless, according to the ISO Survey 2018, the demand for ISO certification grows by the year, and having a security program that complies with ISO provides top-of-the-line protection for your clients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Usually, IT compliance focuses on three types of data, so at a minimum, be sure your tech stack includes safeguards in these three areas:
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