[140] How To Transform from an MSP to MSSP for Business Growth

TubbTalk: The Podcast for Managed Service Providers

In this episode, Richard Tubb speaks to Mark Taylor, the founder of Chorus, a Microsoft-focused MSP. Today, they are a leading MSSP, providing channel focused MDR and MXDR services built on the Microsoft security stack. Mark now serves as the CTO.

Mark explains his background and how he ended up in the IT space, what an MSSP does and why he decided to become one. He also explains how the team manage their responsibilities when providing both MSP and MSSP services.

Richard asks Mark to explain various security acronyms, how Chorus deal with client security breaches, and the types of clients they help. Mark also explains how the business gained MISA certification from Microsoft and what that means for their clients.

Mark tells Richard how they support MSPs who want to transition to be an MSSP and the things to consider as well as sounding a note of caution. They discuss the biggest mistake MSPs make with cybersecurity and what AI means for both MSPs and MSSPs.

Finally, Richard asks Mark to share who has been an influence on his life and career, his go-to resources to stay up to date with the industry, and what he does in his spare time.

Mentioned in This Episode

• Chorus
• Cloud computing solution: AWS
• IT distribution company: TD SYNNEX
• Communities network: Reddit
• Flight club: Gravity Industries
• Business apps: Dynamics 365
• Security solutions: Defender
• Secure device and app management: InTune
• Zero Trust policy engine: Microsoft Entra Conditional Access
• Cloud security solution: Sentinel
• Conference: Ignite
• MISA (Microsoft Intelligent Security Association)
• MXDR Verify
• AI assistant: Co-Pilot
• Online office tools: 365
• Collaboration tool: SharePoint
• Cloud storage: OneDrive
• Video conferencing: Teams

Mentioned in this episode:

Get MSP Insights every Tuesday

Every Tuesday I share my thoughts on the business of IT with you, the Managed Services community. Thousands of Managed Service Providers already subscribe to MSP Insights. It’s easy to sign up, easy to cancel. MSP Insights is basically a short email from me, every Tuesday without fail, with advice on growing your IT business, plus cool resources I’ve found, discovered or starting exploring that week. It’s kind of like my diary of cool things, and often includes articles or books I’ve read, tools I’ve discovered, and events I think you’d be interested in, often sent to me by my friends and TubbTalk podcast guests. So, if that sounds fun, a short, tiny bite of MSP goodness every Tuesday, and you’d like to try it out, just go to https://go.tubb.co/tuesday, drop in your email and you’ll get the very next one.