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The Rise of the MCSP- How MSPs are Responding to a Changing Landscape

MCSP- Managed Cybersecurity Service Provider

An MCSP is a managed services provider that provides cybersecurity and vCISO-type services but does not have its own SOC. Typically, it has a CISSP or vCISO on staff.

The Changing Landscape

For MSPs, the landscape is changing. A real apparent shift is happening in the IT industry. Attend any MSP event or conference and you will see over 80% of vendors providing some cybersecurity solution. As external threats, breaches, ransomware, and government mandates plague everyday business, the requirements for services that meet the needs of the business customer are changing. As a result, so are the expectations of what they provide. MSPs with the knowledge, tools, and resources necessary to effectively navigate the complex landscape of risk management and provide comprehensive cybersecurity services to their clients will find themselves leading the pack. Those who wait too long or continue with the status quo might find it harder to gain new customers, with the rise of the MCSP (Managed Cybersecurity Service Provider). To stay competitive, the new MSP will need a broader scope of services and expertise to effectively serve the changing landscape.

What’s Next for MSPs?

Today, there are MSPs and MSSPs. Though many MSPs may strive to become an MSSP, the requirement to build out an internal SOC and invest in the necessary facility, equipment, tools, etc. may be more than most will be able to achieve. Accordingly, the MCSP will enter to fill this gap. An MCSP is a specialized type of MSP that offers cybersecurity solutions and often provides virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) services in addition to traditional managed services. Unlike MSSPs, an MCSP does not have its own Security Operations Center (SOC) but does typically have a CISSP or vCISO on staff.

The MSP Evolution

MCSP is an attainable evolution or next step for the traditional MSP. Its core offering revolves around managing and safeguarding the information technology (IT) infrastructure and systems of its clients from cyber threats. This includes protecting networks, applications, endpoints, data, and other digital assets. The MCSP’s primary objective is to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of its clients’ information while mitigating risks and addressing vulnerabilities.

All in One- The MCSP

An MCSP fills a crucial role by combining managed services with cybersecurity expertise. By offering comprehensive cybersecurity services and vCISO guidance, you can help organizations of all sizes enhance their security posture and protect against evolving cyber threats, even without operating your own SOC. Just about any current MSP can obtain the knowledge and services necessary to evolve their business into an MCSP.

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HIPAA: It’s Not Just for Hospitals

Most people are relatively aware of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). It was created to make sure that medical records of patients remain safe, and that the medical providers accessing them are doing their best to ensure that’s the case. When most people think of HIPAA, they often go right to medical providers and hospitals. It’s important to understand that dental providers are also expected to adhere to HIPAA requirements. However, being HIPAA compliant poses challenges for dental providers. Here are some of those challenges, and what dental providers can do to combat them.

Failure to Identify Your Dental Practice as a HIPAA “Covered Entity”

Covered entities are required to follow HIPAA requirements. A dental practice is considered a covered entity if it transmits an electronic claim, payment, etc. to a dental plan or on behalf of a dental practice. It’s very likely that your dental practice is a covered entity and should be considering HIPAA requirements.

Missing Business Associate Agreements (BAAs)

Outside people or entities often have access to patient records and information. If your dental practice works with third parties of this nature, it’s important that you’re keeping tabs on them. Third parties are often root causes of breaches and data exposure. Continuously review your third parties and be sure you have BAAs for them.

Security Policies and Procedures

Well thought out, written plans are needed to ensure that your practice stays in compliance. Your HIPAA compliance policy should clearly state the responsibilities of your office and each staff member in protecting your patients’ private health information. The policy should clearly outline how your office handles and remediates various kinds of security breaches.

Training

Training employees is a critical component to HIPAA compliance, even for dental practices. Once you have your policies and procedures in place, it becomes critical that you train your employees on them. If someone’s job is affected by a change in your HIPAA policies or procedures, provide training on the change within a reasonable time after the change becomes effective. Training employees will limit the risk of breach.

Texting and Email

HIPAA applies to emails and text messages sent to a patient, such as for scheduling or appointment reminders. HIPAA also applies to emails and texts sent to another provider about a referral, with diagnostic images, or to discuss treatment. Here’s the kicker—HIPAA applies when a dentist emails patient records or information from a work email account to a personal email account, even if the dentist is doing so simply to finish up work from home later that evening. While HIPAA doesn’t prohibit using email or text to communicate patient information, it is important it’s done the proper way.

Social Media

A restaurant is very likely to respond to a Yelp, Facebook or Google review to either appreciate what has been said, or try to take corrective action. Dental practices must be a bit more careful. It’s easy to respond in a way that violates HIPAA rules. Ensure you and your employees understand privacy rules before responding to your practice’s reviews.

Other Media

As photos or videos are being taken of a patient there is the possibility that other patients may be included inadvertently. These photos and videos are quite often shared through social media and this can compromise those patients’ privacy. In addition, staff members of the practice might be included in the photo or video and this violates their privacy. Be cognizant of what is going on in the background of your images and videos so you do not compromise patient information.

Reporting Breaches

Breaches happen. It can and will happen to anyone at any time. It’s crucial that you understand what you need to report, and when. Covered dental practices must report all breaches of unsecured protected health information to the Office of Civil Rights, as well as to individuals and, in some cases, to the media. The bottom line is, have a plan for what to do in case an incident does occur, because it certainly can.

 

How can you get a better understanding of these challenges, so you know how to avoid and face them? A cyber security assessment is a great tool to do that. Security assessments helps you identify where your gaps in security are. Once they’ve been identified, you can also use the assessment to develop action plans for improvement, meeting HIPAA regulations and proving to examiners that you have a strong data protection program. While there are many challenges as a dental provider to being HIPAA compliant and safeguarding patient information, getting a security assessment puts you on the fast track to understanding and preventing your patients’ data being compromised.

 

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