No one gets up in the morning and says, “What can I do today to fail on an epic level?”
But what if you’re actually doing things that set you up for failure? Things like relying on compliance tools that aren’t actually protecting you or your clients?
Yes, I’m talking about tools designed to make compliance easier. There’s plenty of them out there. But how confident are you that they’re truly providing the evidence you need to protect both your clients and you?
So, let’s talk about the critical issue that many MSPs face when relying solely on vendor-provided compliance reports. A big piece of this puzzle will be the role of third-party analysis, which can save you from potential liability and strengthen your relationships with your clients.
The Problem with First-Party Compliance Reports
Many compliance tools on the market are heavily integrated with vendor platforms. These tools often pull data directly from the vendors’ software and provide a report on how well your clients’ systems comply with regulations or security standards. While this might sound like an efficient solution, it can create a blind spot that leaves both you and your clients exposed.
Why? Because these tools are reporting on what the vendor's software detects—but what about the things it doesn’t? Vendor compliance tools are essentially a first-party review, meaning they evaluate their own performance. A judge, auditor, or even a regulator could easily see this as biased evidence, as the vendors are unlikely to report on their own blind spots or failures.
For instance, if the software isn't installed on every device in your client's environment or if there are misconfigurations, those issues likely won't be flagged by a vendor tool. The vendor reports that everything looks great, but in reality, there are gaps in coverage. And guess who might be held accountable if a security breach happens and it turns out your client wasn’t as compliant as the reports suggested? You—the MSP.
The Liability Falls on You
As an MSP, you are the one implementing and overseeing your client's compliance program. If you're solely relying on vendor reports to inform your clients of their compliance status, you might be setting yourself up for failure. The liability doesn't just stop with the vendor—it can extend to you, the service provider. In the event of a breach or compliance failure, it's highly likely that fingers will be pointed at you for not providing the full picture.
Your clients trust you to ensure their systems are secure and compliant. But if you’re using tools that don’t provide a complete, third-party validated view of their security posture, you could end up delivering incomplete or misleading information. That’s where things get tricky—and where your liability increases exponentially.
Third-Party Validation: A Must for True Compliance
What MSPs truly need is an independent, third-party analysis to validate the results of the compliance tools they are using. A third-party review goes beyond what the vendor reports, offering an unbiased, objective assessment of the client's security and compliance posture.
Third-party assessments ensure that all aspects of your client’s IT environment are covered, from system configurations to software installations on every device. These reviews help detect issues that may go unnoticed by the vendor's tools, such as incomplete installations, outdated software, or unpatched vulnerabilities. An independent audit highlights these blind spots and provides actionable steps to address them.
Additionally, third-party validation adds a layer of trust between you and your clients. It shows that you’re not just taking the vendor's word for it—you’re going the extra mile to ensure their compliance is airtight. This kind of proactive action is what builds stronger relationships and reinforces your value as a trusted MSP partner.
Compliance Is About Relationships, Not Just Checklists
Many MSPs fall into the trap of treating compliance as a box-checking exercise. They focus on running reports, making sure everything aligns with the required standards, and moving on to the next task. But in reality, compliance is much more than a checklist—it’s about relationship building.
Your clients want assurance that their compliance needs are being met, but more importantly, they want to feel confident that their MSP is invested in their long-term success. By offering a compliance program that includes third-party validation, you're not only reducing your liability but also deepening the trust and relationship with your clients.
When you can show clients that you’re willing to go above and beyond to ensure their compliance, you position yourself as a partner in their success—not just a service provider.
How We Help MSPs Deliver Complete Compliance
We specialize in working exclusively with MSPs to deliver comprehensive Compliance as a Service (CaaS) programs. Our approach ensures that your clients receive a complete compliance solution, validated by independent third-party assessments. We help you build stronger, deeper relationships with your clients by ensuring their compliance programs are accurate, reliable, and unbiased.
Compliance isn't just about ticking boxes; it's about fostering trust and delivering real value. Let us help you offer the kind of compliance program that builds relationships and protects both you and your clients from unnecessary risks.
It’s time to wake up in the morning with your sights truly set on success.
