This blog, authored by Sherweb’s Cybersecurity Technical Fellow Roddy Bergeron, explores how a structured cybersecurity program can elevate MSP security maturity, enhance client trust and drive long-term business resilience.
Cybersecurity is an arms race, and right now, most MSPs are losing.
Not because they aren’t trying, not because they don’t care, but because too many managed service providers (MSPs) are still treating security as an add-on instead of a core part of their business strategy. They build out services, scale their teams and onboard new clients, all while leaving cybersecurity as a scattered collection of tools rather than a structured, strategic program.
That’s a recipe for disaster.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years of working with MSPs, it’s this: The difference between an MSP that thrives and one that folds under pressure is cybersecurity maturity.
A mature cybersecurity program isn’t just about stacking security products together! It’s about creating a repeatable, scalable framework that makes security second nature at every level of your business. It’s about proving to your clients, your insurers and yourself that you’re not just checking compliance boxes—you’re leading the charge in keeping businesses secure.
So, how do you do that? It all comes down to four fundamental pillars: People, Process, Policies and Technology. Let’s break them down and talk about how you can use them to build a security program that actually works, not just one that looks good on paper.
*Note: This blog is based on insights from Sherweb’s comprehensive guide on building a successful cybersecurity program. For a deeper dive into each pillar and actionable steps to enhance your MSP’s cybersecurity maturity, download the full guide.*
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People: The foundation of your program
You can have the best security tools in the world, but if your employees—or your clients—aren’t aligned with great security culture, don’t continuously improve, fall for phishing emails, reuse weak passwords or ignore security policies, your defenses crumble instantly.
Fact: 90% of breaches happen because of human error. That’s not just a statistic, it’s a wake-up call.
If you want to build a strong cybersecurity program, start with the people inside it.
How to build a security-first culture:
- Basics: During the hiring process, applicants should align with your company culture and core values. You do have those explained, detailed and quantified, right?
- Beginner: Security awareness training—at least once a year. Start with phishing simulations and password hygiene best practices.
- Intermediate: Role-based training. Your accounting team, IT staff and executives all face different threats, train them accordingly.
- Advanced: Make security part of the job. Create security champions inside your team, establish accountability measures and integrate security discussions into leadership meetings.
Security awareness should extend beyond employees, clients need education too. MSPs that offer cybersecurity training to their customers reinforce a culture of security beyond their own walls. The stronger your clients’ security posture, the safer your business becomes.
✅ Pro tip: Cybersecurity training isn’t just a compliance checkbox, it’s an ongoing culture shift. If security isn’t part of daily conversations, it’s already being deprioritized.
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Process: Security that scales with you
Security shouldn’t be a scramble, but for too many MSPs, it is.
Without structured processes, security is reactive instead of proactive. That’s why according to a survey by Arctic Wolf, 91% of MSPs offer, or plan to offer, incident response services, which explains why so many of them are left scrambling when a breach happens.
How to build scalable security processes:
- Beginner: Document an Incident Response Plan (IRP). If something goes wrong, everyone on your team should know exactly what to do.
- Intermediate: Implement Zero Trust policies because “trust but verify” doesn’t cut it anymore. Enforce MFA, access controls and least-privilege principles.
- Advanced: Automate everything you can. Use SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) to reduce human error and accelerate response times.
Proactive security means staying ahead of emerging threats, not just reacting to them. Implement continuous monitoring tools and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities before cybercriminals do. Security should be a living, breathing process that evolves as new attack vectors emerge.
✅ Key insight: The best MSPs don’t just react to threats, they predict and prevent them. Moving from a reactive mindset to a risk-based security strategy is what separates security leaders from the rest.
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Policies: The rulebook that protects you
Without security policies, MSPs are flying blind. Policies aren’t just about compliance, they’re about setting clear, enforceable security standards that everyone (your team AND your clients) follow.
The security policies every MSP needs:
- Beginner: Establish an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and a Written Information Security Policy (WISP).
- Intermediate: Develop a Risk Management Plan and a Data Retention Policy to govern sensitive data.
- Advanced: Align with regulatory frameworks like GDPR, HIPAA or NIST CSF, and implement vendor risk management protocols.
Policies should be dynamic, not static. MSPs should review and refine security policies regularly, incorporating lessons from audits, incidents and evolving regulatory requirements. Having policies in place isn’t enough, enforcement and adaptation are key.
✅ Pro Tip: Strong security policies aren’t just good business, they win clients. MSPs that can demonstrate proactive compliance are the ones that land bigger contracts and retain clients long-term.
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Technology: The right stack, not just more tools
MSPs love tools. But more tools ≠ better security.
The best security programs don’t rely on a spaghetti mess of products, they use an integrated, well-managed stack that actually makes security easier.
What a mature MSP security stack looks like:
- Beginner: Endpoint protection, patch management, email security.
- Intermediate: Managed Detection and Response (MDR), SIEM, DNS filtering.
- Advanced: Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), AI-driven threat detection, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE).
Technology should enhance efficiency, not create complexity. MSPs should focus on interoperability, ensuring that security tools work together rather than operating in isolated silos. AI-driven security solutions are becoming a game-changer, helping MSPs detect and neutralize threats faster than ever before.
✅ Reality Check: Security maturity isn’t about what tools you have, it’s about how you use them.
Why MSPs need a structured security program today
Cybercriminals aren’t waiting, and neither should you.
A fragmented security approach is a liability and MSPs without a structured cybersecurity program are prime targets for attacks, compliance fines and client churn.
By focusing on the four pillars—People, Process, Policies and Technology—MSPs can move from reactive security to proactive resilience.
Security maturity is an ongoing process, but MSPs that commit to improving their cybersecurity posture will reap the benefits: stronger client trust, reduced risk, and new revenue opportunities from premium security services.
This isn’t just about avoiding cyber threats. It’s about building a business that thrives in a security-first world.
A well-built cybersecurity program doesn’t just prevent disasters, it creates opportunities. It strengthens client trust, opens doors to high value contracts and differentiates your MSP from the competition.
So, the only question left is: Is your MSP’s cybersecurity strategy strong enough?
