Why MSPs Are Hacker Targets, and What To Do About It

It's commonly understood that smaller businesses have smaller IT budgets, which often does not leave much room for IT security. Even in 2020, many of these companies have never heard of NIST, ISO 27001, or other security frameworks, let alone implemented them. And with more than 30 million businesses falling in the category of fewer than 1,000 employees, small businesses represent a significant part of the American economy. For an attacker, this is a gold mine of potential opportunity, but the key to that financial reward means operational scalability, putting the target squarely on managed service providers (MSPs). 

Why MSPs?
Many small to midsize businesses (SMBs) rely on MSPs to assist them with cost-effective management of IT infrastructure, monitoring, and general support. Companies regularly put their trust in MSPs to protect their data, but we have to remember that MSPs are often small businesses themselves. And as attack vectors increase by the minute, there seems to be no end in sight to the growing pressures on MSPs. 

So, why are MSPs a major target for cyberattacks? The obvious answer is that an MSP may service a myriad of SMBs; having access to one MSP is an easy gateway to all of their supported SMB networks. Not to mention that nearly two-thirds of organizations use MSPs for at least one IT function.  

Unfortunately, MSPs are now being used more and more as a pawn for hackers' malicious plans. Recently, Ragnar Locker ransomware hit Portuguese energy giant EDP, demanding a $10.9 million ransom. The operators behind the ransomware strain are known to furtively target software used by MSPs to avoid being detected. My company reported earlier this year that it detected Ragnar Locker being deployed via common MSP remote management and monitoring tools. As attacks like these proliferate, MSPs must remain vigilant with their security practices.

The MSP Security Challenge
Cyber defense doesn't come for free, and this is a significant challenge for MSPs. There are really only two places where an MSP can look to increase security standards for their end customers: The first is convincing the SMB to spend more on security, which is often a difficult upsell given already tight IT budgets. The second is to eat into their thin margins while still maintaining the ability to update defenses as needed by the threat landscape. 

The vast majority of cybersecurity defense solutions are purpose-built for the enterprise, bringing in a plethora of technology bells and whistles often too overwhelming or unnecessary for the SMB. All too often, there's chatter around cybersecurity proselytizing the merits of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and behavioral analytics — all of which come with high costs. The truth is, MSPs need solutions that cater to their specific needs, not just from a technical point of view but also financial and operational perspectives in order to get to the coveted 80/20. 

Small businesses have gained operational agility with the rise of the cloud and software-as-a-service, and with that, attackers have evolved to go after the lowest-hanging fruit. In order to quickly combat these constantly changing threats, small businesses — which make up 99% of corporations — need cybersecurity solutions specifically streamlined to easily fit within their financial business models. 

Some Advice for MSPs
With the current landscape and a predominantly remote workforce, malicious actors are even more prone to taking advantage of MSPs. So, what can MSPs do now to ensure the businesses they serve are receiving the same, if not better, service during this time? 

Above all, constant communication, monitoring, and staying on top of the latest threats will prove valuable and establish new protocols to be referenced in the future. The 99% of small businesses may have 99 problems, but hopefully with the right solutions and a base level of due diligence, their MSP won't be one.