The threat landscape is the constantly changing nature of cyberattacks, which can occur when viruses, malware, phishing attacks, ransomware, or other forms of intrusions penetrate a company’s networks. These threats can come from a variety of sources, including nation-states, organized crime, individual malicious hackers, or even ethical hackers.
Technological change
With the rapid pace of technological change experienced in the IT industry, as new technologies are developed and adopted, they can create new vulnerabilities to be exploited. A recent example of this is the migration of enterprise applications, such as Microsoft 365, to the cloud, which has created a vast landscape of inter-connected computers and networks that can be attacked individually or as a group.
For MSPs, this changing reality necessitates a proactive approach to cybersecurity. This includes technical cybersecurity solutions, such as antivirus, firewalls, and intrusion prevention systems, based on the latest security technologies, as well as updated company cybersecurity processes that mandate periodic employee training and incident response plans.
Regulatory and legal landscape
With an increased focus on digital security, many countries and regions have enacted and updated cybersecurity regulations to protect their citizens and businesses. Some important things to note about this are:
- Cybersecurity legislation can vary by country, state, or even local community
- The European Union has implemented a Cybersecurity Act to protect digital services within its member countries
- Regulations may also be specific to certain types of businesses or industries in some cases
As the landscape of cyberthreats and regulations continues to evolve, staying up to date with the latest cybersecurity legislation is essential for all MSPs. In fact, depending on the specific type of services they offer, MSPs may need to comply with a unique set of rules or standards. With this in mind, keeping up with the general evolving threat landscape is important.