As a small business owner, you understand the importance of securing your operations. When outsourcing your IT or security needs, you should partner with a managed service provider (MSP) that shares your commitment to safe and reliable service delivery. To receive this high level of security, keep an eye out for a CompTIA Trustmark certification.
When you see this certification on an MSPs website, you can rest easy knowing that your business is in good hands. In this article, we’ll look at how you can identify an MSP dedicated to security, what the CompTIA’s Security Trustmark+ certification is, and how Teal ensures the security of its small business partners (i.e., our clients).
How to Identify a Security-focused Managed Service Provider
Identifying a security-focused Managed Service Provider (MSP) is crucial for safeguarding your business. When you are assessing potential MSPs, there are a few things that you should look for, including:
Expertise
Assess their expertise in cybersecurity and their experience in dealing with your industry.
Security Offerings
Review the range of security services they offer, such as threat monitoring, vulnerability assessments, data protection, and incident response.
Transparency and Communication
Choose an MSP that communicates openly about security measures, updates, and potential risks.
Reputation
Look for MSPs with a strong reputation for security services. Check awards, online reviews, testimonials, and case studies to gauge their track record.
Certifications and Compliance
Ensure the MSP holds relevant security certifications like CompTIA Security Trustmark+ and complies with industry standards such as NIST or ISO.
What is the CompTIA Security Trustmark+?
CompTIA is the world’s most trusted certifying body of professionals. The organization provides skills validation through its globally recognized training and certification programs.
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework serves as the foundation for the CompTIA Security Trustmark+ certification. Organizations seeking to establish compliance with key industry regulations, such as HIPAA, which relies on the NIST Framework, recognize the value of this certification.
The CompTIA Security Trustmark+ provides daily applicability to MSPs and their clients by combining an internal audit with a third-party assessment of policies, procedures, and operations for identifying, detecting, protecting, responding to, and recovering from security incidents.
When an MSP achieves this certification, it demonstrates a strong commitment to safe and reliable service delivery to its clients.
Outsource IT to an MSP Committed to Business Security & Innovation
Teal is a sophisticated IT and security service partner that provides tailored solutions for small to medium-sized businesses. The MSP consistently proves its dedication to its partners by attaining the topmost security standards in the industry.
In February 2023, a third-party risk rating vendor awarded an almost flawless security score to Teal, highlighting its resolute stance on security (see the SecurityScorecard results). Reaching this benchmark required robust data-centric strategies to drive its resiliency against threat actors.
In June, the company was ranked #33 on the prestigious 2023 Channel Futures MSP 501 list – demonstrating a focus on customer needs, long-term health and viability, commitment to recurring revenue and operational efficiency, innovation, and supported technologies.
This month, the Teal team accomplished a significant milestone in its security journey by obtaining the highly sought-after CompTIA Security Trustmark+ certification. Justin Weeks, the VP of Cybersecurity & Compliance at Teal, shared his thoughts on this achievement:
“Our team’s continued vigilance and support along our cybersecurity journey is not only appreciated but foundational to the success of our organization,” said Weeks. “We now have external validation of our commitment to delivering MSP services more securely to our partners. Additionally, we are among an elite group of MSPs providing competent and effective MSSP services to them. Our sophisticated services help safeguard their financial security, maintain their reputation, and increase their customers' confidence.”
Free MSP Vetting Checklist
Industry certifications, reputation, transparency, and top security rankings must be seriously considered when you are looking for the right MSP for your organization. They demonstrate the MSP’s willingness to:
- Stay up to date with best practices
- Meet compliance standards
- Reduce threat risks
- Fix issues
Partnering with an MSP that has a robust cybersecurity stance guarantees that you are outsourcing your IT and cybersecurity to a provider equipped with the solutions, expertise, and protection you require.
If you are unsure about what questions to ask MSPs during your assessment process, you can refer to our free MSP Vetting Checklist. This checklist contains a list of the essential items that you should evaluate before selecting a provider.
Use this checklist to make choosing the right managed service provider for your organization easy and stress-free.
