Is Your MSP (Managed Service Provider) Really Protecting You? The 20-Question Reality Check
Your MSP is probably great at IT support. But IT support isn't cybersecurity. Take this 5-minute assessment to find out if you're protected—or just hopeful.
40%
of backups fail when actually tested
$4.5-10M
average ransomware cost for mid-sized businesses
60%
of businesses hit with ransomware close within 6 months
3+ weeks
average recovery time without proper architecture
Do You Know You're Protected, Or Do You Assume You're Protected?
You pay your MSP every month. They fix computers, reset passwords, handle email issues. Things work... mostly.
When you ask "Are we protected from ransomware?" they say "Yeah, you're covered."
But here's the question that should keep you up at night:
Can they prove it? Or are they just hoping—like you are?
The difference between IT support and cybersecurity expertise is the difference between:
A backup that says "Success"
vs.
A backup that's been tested recovering in under 2 hours
Security software that's installed
vs.
Security software that's actively managed with AI analyzing billions of endpoints
A firewall that exists
vs.
A firewall that's properly configured for your threats
Most 50-100 employee businesses have an MSP. Most MSPs are generalists—great at keeping computers running, inadequate at protecting against sophisticated threats. You need an MSSP (Managed Security Services Provider) with security expertise.
Take this assessment. Find out where you really stand.
The 20-Question Assessment
Answer these 20 questions honestly. Don't guess. Don't assume. If you don't know the answer—if you'd have to ask your MSP—that itself is an answer.
When was the last time your MSP performed a full test recovery of your systems?
The Standard Your MSP Should Meet (But Probably Doesn't)*
Backup & Recovery Done Right
What most MSPs do:
- • Run nightly backups
- • See "Success" in logs
- • Assume it works
- • Never test recovery
- • Store backups on same network
What an MSSP (Managed Security Services Provider) does:
- • Enterprise backup with local VM for instant recovery
- • Test monthly recovery of critical systems
- • Test quarterly full disaster recovery
- • Encrypted off-site storage at secure data center
- • Recovery in under 2 hours (tested)
- • Monthly test reports showing what was tested
The difference: One is hope. One is knowledge.
Enterprise Tools vs. Consumer Tools
What most MSPs use:
- • Microsoft 365 built-in security
- • Consumer-grade or basic business firewalls
- • Standard antivirus
- • Manual or inconsistent patching
Why: Easier to manage, lower cost, one-size-fits-all
What an MSSP (Managed Security Services Provider) uses:
- • Cisco Secure Email Gateway - catches 50-70% more threats
- • Cisco Secure Endpoint with AI - behavioral threat analysis
- • Cisco Umbrella DNS security - blocks threats before they load
- • Cisco Talos threat intelligence - examining questionable executables
- • Comprehensive automated patching - 15,000 patches/month per customer covering Windows, Adobe, Java, browsers, and hundreds of applications
- • AI monitoring billions of endpoints globally
The difference: Consumer protection for consumer threats. Enterprise protection for business-ending threats.
Stop Hoping You're Protected. Start Knowing.
HOPE
- • "Our MSP says we're covered"
- • "Nothing bad has happened yet"
- • "Backups run every night—we're fine"
- • "We have antivirus on every computer"
- • "They'd tell us if there was a problem"
Hope is not a security strategy.
KNOWLEDGE
- • "Backup tested 30 days ago—recovery: 1.5 hours" (documented)
- • "Last vulnerability assessment: 45 days ago" (reported)
- • "Security controls documented and audit-ready" (verified)
- • "Threats blocked last month: 127" (measured)
- • "Incident response tested 60 days ago" (validated)
Knowledge requires evidence.
The businesses that survive ransomware don't hope they're protected—they know they're protected because:
They've tested it
They've documented it
They've proven it
They have evidence
Ready to Move From Hope to Knowledge?
Get a free, no-obligation security assessment. See exactly where you're protected and where you're exposed.
No sales pitch • Honest assessment • If your MSP is doing great, we'll tell you
Ready to Fix Your MSP Gaps?
Get a free, no-obligation security assessment from Craig. We'll show you exactly where you're protected and where you're exposed—no sales pitch, just honest analysis.
No sales pitch • Honest assessment • 50 years of cybersecurity expertise