What You Need to Know!
It is old news that Managed Service Providers have dramatically changed the traditional IT landscape for a great many businesses. By taking responsibility for managing the hardware, applications, software, security, and overall information technology services, the MSPs have enabled clients to focus on their core business. When properly configured and sourced, customers can leverage the economies of scale that MSPs are able to achieve to ultimately enjoy improved service levels and cost savings in their IT function.
On the other hand, while organizations can successfully outsource some or all of their IT process and management to MSPs, they can never outsource compliance! This is especially true of DoD supply chain members. The client ultimately owns responsibility for their overall compliance program and that includes ensuring their MSP is completely aligned with their requirements. When an MSP functions as the IT Department, the MSP will have access to client data, documents, networks and possibly Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Given this trusted role, it is essential that the MSP takes the appropriate steps to protect client data while adhering to the compliance requirements set by NIST 800-171, CMMC and all other compliance frameworks specific to their clients’ DoD and other business.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to find that the MSPs themselves have gaps in their internal compliance programs which can put their clients at risk of not meeting the critical compliance requirements necessary to grow and maintain their business. As the client is responsible for maintaining their overall compliance program, they will push those compliance demands to the MSP just as the DoD Prime Contractors and subs push the compliance demands to their supplier networks. If the MSP does not meet the compliance requirements or is unwilling to remediate the gaps, the client will be forced to leave the MSP or face compliance failure themselves leading to lost DoD business that can often threaten the overall viability of these businesses.
BostonCOMPLY works with businesses to build and maintain proper and effective compliance programs to meet the rigors of NIST 800-171, CMMC, GDPR, ISO and many other frameworks and standards. We actively work with Managed Service Providers to offer the necessary compliance guidance so that their clients’ business and data is properly managed and meets the compliance demands they face. As an upside to MSPs, compliant customers consume more and higher-end managed infrastructure and security services. Customers also tend to be much more loyal, committed and engaged with MSPs who are critical to their compliance programs and systems that facilitate them continuing to function as DoD chain of custody suppliers, translating directly to increased relationship stickiness.
At BostonCOMPLY, we know the MSP business and we surely know compliance. Let us help you build your compliance offering to establish, grow and sustain your business within the DoD supplier world.
