Article written by Mark Jackolski, ShellProof Security
In an industry where the pace of change is relentless, MSPs are more than just service providers, they’re trailblazers, problem-solvers, and often the first line of defense for their clients. Compliance is no longer a backburner issue; it’s a business-critical priority that can define your success and that of your clients. The stakes have never been higher.
Compliance is a maze of regulations and acronyms that can feel overwhelming, but ignoring it isn’t an option. The real question isn’t whether compliance is important, but how well your MSP can integrate it into your operations to proactively protect clients while standing out in a crowded marketplace. To succeed, MSPs must move beyond reactive troubleshooting and build proactive, predictable service operations.
Compliance doesn’t scale easily across diverse IT environments, making in-depth, customer-specific analysis essential. By creating service offerings tailored to answer the compliance gaps of a framework, MSPs can deliver consistent, high-value solutions that not only protect their clients but also cement their position as trusted advisors in a demanding and competitive industry.
Most compliance frameworks overlap requirements, and when you pick one, you’ll find that the others have similar requirements. Some of the best framework options for MSPs are NIST CSF, CIS, and GTIA Cybersecurity Trustmark. These frameworks provide structured roadmaps that standardize your offerings, making your services scalable and efficient.
- NIST CSF (National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework): is a foundational, flexible framework designed to enhance cybersecurity across organizations of any size or industry. Its structure aligns closely with various regulatory requirements, which often use NIST as their foundation. This makes NIST CSF a valuable starting point for organizations looking to meet multiple compliance mandates while improving their overall security posture.
- CIS (Center for Internet Security): takes a more prescriptive approach, offering 18 Critical Security Controls (CIS Controls) that are clear, actionable, and specifically designed to reduce cyber risk. MSPs often prefer CIS because it provides straightforward guidance that is easier to implement compared to more abstract frameworks. These controls prioritize actions by risk level, ensuring organizations focus on the most critical areas first.
- Lastly the GTIA Cybersecurity Trustmark: was created specifically for MSPs and is based on CIS (Center for Internet Security’s) 18 Critical Security Controls, as well as controls from other globally recognized frameworks, to form industry-accepted best practices. In an effort to help managed service providers (MSPs) establish a starting point for their security journey, the GTIA Cybersecurity Trustmark offers a path for solution provider members who are looking to differentiate themselves by adhering to this industry standard of controls and providing an assurance that they have met or exceeded the standard set forth by their industry peers.
The stakes are high, but so is the opportunity. By creating service offerings tailored to address compliance gaps, MSPs can deliver consistent, high-value solutions that protect their clients and cement their position as trusted advisors. Compliance is no longer just an obligation—it’s a strategic opportunity for MSPs to lead in a demanding and competitive industry.
