CyberSmart, the provider of simple and accessible automated cybersecurity technology for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), has announced it will provide its Managed Service Provider (MSP) partners with complimentary access to the company's cyber risk management solution, Active Protect, as well as cover the costs of Cyber Essentials certification, to defend partners and their customers from rising cybersecurity threats.
 
In March 2022, research by N-Able revealed that 90% of MSPs had suffered a successful cyberattack in the preceding 18 months. This is concerning considering their role in the wider supply chain. MSPs report a client base of 122 companies, on average. 

Numerous agencies from the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, including the NCSC, have also recognised the rising threats against MSPs and their customers, responding with a warning alongside guidance to secure MSP networks and data. Shortly after, in November 2022, the UK government announced that MSPs would be brought into the scope of the Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations.  
 
In light of this, CyberSmart is taking steps to help partners defend themselves against bad actors and comply with regulatory requirements. This is achieved with free access to the company's cyber risk management technology, Active Protect, which scans enrolled devices 24/7 for vulnerabilities and alerts users with simple remediation guides. In addition, CyberSmart will cover the costs of government-backed certification, Cyber Essentials. The team will work closely with its partners to ensure they pass the certification process first and offer long-term support.
 
“MSPs are not immune to cyber-attacks. In fact, they have increasingly become an attractive target for cyber criminals. If they topple from an attack, not only could that have a negative impact on all of their customers, but the breach would also have serious implications for the MSP’s reputation and operations,” says Jamie Akhtar, CEO and co-founder of CyberSmart. “Our MSP partners are crucial in helping us in our mission to protect small and medium-sized enterprises worldwide from today’s cyber threat landscape. As valued partners, we believe it is our responsibility to support them where we can, and I could not be prouder of this latest initiative.”

“Cybercrime is projected to cost the world US$10.5 trillion annually by the end of 2025, and 58% targets small businesses. Meanwhile, the cybersecurity gap between large enterprises with the resources to weather attacks and the SMEs who don’t, is widening. CyberSmart was created to fix this problem. Protecting a business from cyber threats shouldn’t require expert knowledge or deep pockets. So, as well as offering the fastest route to government grade certification on the market, CyberSmart also provides simple, cost-effective technology, enabling SMEs to protect themselves without cyber expertise. This is paired with free cyber insurance, upon certification. Meanwhile, our Privacy Toolbox offering ensures customers stay on top of their data privacy obligations.”
 
“As technology increases its prominence in business operations, cybersecurity threats, such as ransomware and phishing, pose an even greater threat,” adds Kris Nagamootoo, senior director at CompTIA. "Cybersecurity training and education, such as Cyber Essentials, can help lessen the risk for organisations and should be used more frequently. We commend CyberSmart for making Cyber Essentials available to their MSP partners."