Tubbservatory Round-Up – Tools and Resources for Your MSP
Every week, Richard‘s got your back, delivering five must-have resources that every IT Managed Service Provider (MSP) should have on their radar.
Welcome to the Tubbservatory – your weekly video fix, jam-packed with handpicked articles, podcasts, and events that are a goldmine for fellow IT business owners like yourself.
Introducing Tubbservatory Round-Up #22 for October 2023. This month we’ve gone the extra mile in rounding up the tastiest episodes for your viewing pleasure. So no need to fret about missing out, because it’s all right here, waiting for you to dive in at your convenience.
Items are listed and linked at the end of this article.
This month’s topics include: Ransomware, Cybersecurity, Hacking, Backup, Burnout, Events, GDAP, Helpdesk.
Tubbservatory: The October 2023 Round-Up Video
Tubbservatory Round-Up #22: October – Week 1
#1 5 Key Strategies to Tackle the MSP’s Ransomware Crisis Head-On
Richard recently hosted a conversation with James Finglas of Irish MSP MJ Flood, and Merium Khalid, Director, SOC Offensive Security at Barracuda MSP.
Finglas and Khalid talked him through the timeline of a ransomware attack on an Irish manufacturing company in August of this year, and the lessons MSPs can learn from it.
This video is now available to view on-demand.
#2 Rachel Tobac’s Post on Hacking
And talking of breaches, Rachel Tobac, CEO of SocialProof Security, a friendly hacker and security expert, details a common method she often uses in her hacking and one that was recently used in the MGM resort breach.
This is a fascinating read for anyone interested in Cybersecurity.
#3 Cloud Workload Portability PulseMeter
The topic of Data and Workload Portability is one that many MSPs are discussing, and so a report that caught my eye was the Cloud Workload Portability PulseMeter from Akamai.
The report highlights an MSP survey indicating the top three drivers for workload portability are business continuity/disaster recovery (31%), cost savings (30%), and resilience (27%).
Thanks to James Steel of Linode for highlighting this report.
#4 ‘I Wasn’t Heard at Meetings, So Did Something About It’
‘I wasn’t heard at meetings, so did something about it’ says Pamela Maynard, CEO of global IT consultancy Avanade.
In this video on BBC News, Maynard shares her advice on how to get ahead at work.
#5 Huntress Brings ‘Breaches & Brews’ Events to the UK
And finally, leading Cybersecurity vendor Huntress are coming to the UK for a series of Breaches and Brews events!
Join Huntress in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol during October, for an fun gathering of MSPs at some top brewery locations where we’ll be drinking beer while talking Cybersecurity!
Tubbservatory Round-Up #22: October – Week 2
#1 We’ve Got Your Back(up)
As an MSP, are you aware of Microsoft Clause 6B?
This clause states that Microsoft recommend that you use a 3rd-party to backup your client’s cloud data to provide continuity in the event of data loss.
Given the importance of continuity to MSPs, Pax8 have put together a resource page that can help MSPs grow their business with continuity solutions
To save yourself sleepless nights worrying about your client’s data, this is definitely one to check out.
#2 Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 Reaching End of Support
Talking of Microsoft, a reminder that on October 10, 2023 Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 have now reached their end of support.
From this point onwards, these products will no longer receive security updates, non-security updates, bug fixes, technical support, or online technical content updates.
So, if you’re an MSP with client’s still using these products, it’s time to talk about purchasing Extended Security Updates from Microsoft, or looking at alternatives.
#3 Microsoft Passwords and Keys Exposed Through Misconfigured Azure Storage
And still on the subject of Microsoft, Dev Kundaliya of Computing reports that 38TB of exposed data including passwords for Microsoft services, secret keys and conversations was recently exposed due to misconfigured Azure storage.
This article makes for chilling reading for any MSP.
#4 Trying to Be Everything to Everyone: Let’s Talk About Burnout
A video that caught my attention was Stacy Thayer presenting at Black Hat 21 on Trying to Be Everything to Everyone and Burnout in Cybersecurity Professionals.
With business demand for Cybersecurity roles outstripping available staff, stress and burnout is high.
This talk discusses the existing research on burnout in the computer security industry and will discuss what really causes burnout, why it happens, and what you can do to mitigate it.
A powerful video.
#5 SuperSummit Virtual: Strategies for Successful MSP Growth and Scale
And finally, if you missed the big MSP SuperSummit virtual event from SuperOps this week, never fear — an on-demand recording is available for the next 7 days!
With 15+ speakers and 100+ insights — including a presentation from me on Building a Compelling MSP Brand Story, this was an awesome event for IT businesses — and the best part, it was free!
Check out the recordings now.
Tubbservatory Round-Up #22: October – Week 3
#1 Easy path to MSP Security: Focus on GDAP, Teams & SharePoint Scenarios
A video that caught my attention was the Easy Path to MSP Security, from SkyKick.
With a focus on GDAP, plus some real-world Microsoft Teams & SharePoint Scenarios from Lee Ramse and Michael Leison of SkyKick, this on-demand video tackles head-on the top security scenarios that are important to your MSP client’s.
#2 EP148 – The Top 5 Helpdesk Automations That Every MSP Needs with Bradley Munday from Uptime Solutions and Ian Luckett
A Podcast that caught my ear was Bradley Munday of Uptime Solutions speaking to Ian Luckett about The Top 5 Helpdesk Automations That Every MSP Needs.
The helpdesk is the lifeline of any MSP, and in this episode, Munday and Luckett focus on the automations that can elevate the service and efficiency of your MSP operations.
Well worth a listen!
#3 The IT Consultant’s Year Of Intention
A new book release that I’m excited to share is the IT Consultant’s Year of Intention by MSP legend, Karl Palachuk.
This workbook is designed specifically to help IT Consultants to plan – and evaluate – the year ahead. Unlike a basic business book, this workbook focuses on the activities of a successful IT Service Provider.
Grab your copy now!
#4 TubbTalk 135: How to Turn Employees into a Company’s Biggest Cybersecurity Asset
How can your client’s Turn Their Employees into Their Company’s Biggest Cybersecurity Asset?
That’s what I discussed on a recent episode of my Podcast with Benjamin Netter the founder of Riot, an all in-one-solution that drives better protection for MSPs, and Benjamin himself is a veteran of the IT space.
Riot is a tool worth checking out for any MSP that wants to help reduce their cost of supporting client’s.
#5 IT Nation Connect 2023
And finally, one of the MSP industries biggest events takes place in Orlando, Florida on November 8th-10th 2023.
IT Nation Connect 2023 features Jesse Cole as the keynote speaker, and both live event and virtual tickets are now available to purchase.
Tubbservatory Round-Up #22: October – Week 4
#1 From Basics to Breakthroughs: Evolution of IT Security in the 1980s
With IT security being the most concerning topic in the arena of digital business, keeping up with current trends is essential. However, there’s value in taking a look at the journey so far, to appreciate where we’re at today.
Smarter MSP’s Adam Khan describes what security was like before the internet, how viruses grew to become more and more sophisticated, and how legislation adapted to compensate.
#2 EP029 – Inbay and the Globalised MSP with Shaun McNamee
A podcast that I took a particular interest in this week was the It’s a Numbers Game podcast, with Adam Morris and Daniel Welling. In this episode they spoke with Shaun McNamee of Inbay, recorded before the merger with Uptime Solutions.
Shaun shares wisdom on outsourcing the non-core and what delivers the highest value. It’s well worth a listen.
#3 AI vs Ssoftware Outsourcing: An Opportunity or a Threat?
We all know that generative AI offers a plethora of opportunities, but what does this mean for the future of software outsourcing?
This is the question Maxim Ivanov, CEO of Ukranian IT Provider AimProSoft asks, in his article for Computer Weekly. Ivanov poses some interesting questions about GenAI and whether it will eventually make contracted developers superfluous.
#4 3 Tips for Adding the Right Kind of Recurring Revenue
We all know that the sort of MSP businesses that do well are those with fantastic Monthly Recurring Revenue models in place, but not all MRR is created equal.
Service Leadership’s Peter Kujawa, says the secret is finding MRR that drives profitability. And keeping an eye on the operational maturity level objectives of your clients can be key to ensuring that you’re not going to be losing money as you help them grow their businesses.
#5 Managed Services Summit North comes to Manchester on 21st November 2023
Tuesday 21st November is when the Managed Services Summit North comes to Manchester.
Aimed at directors and senior managers of MSPs, VARs and Systems Integrators.
Our own Richard and Stephen will both be there too, so register today.
Links to the Resources Mentioned in this Round-Up
From Week 1
- 5 Key Strategies to Tackle the MSP’s Ransomware Crisis Head-On
- Rachel Tobac’s Post on Hacking
- Cloud Workload Portability PulseMeter
- ‘I Wasn’t Heard at Meetings, So Did Something About It’
- Huntress Brings ‘Breaches & Brews’ Events to the UK
Mentioned in Week 2
- We’ve Got Your Back(up)
- Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 Reaching End of Support
- Microsoft Passwords and Keys Exposed Through Misconfigured Azure Storage
- Trying to Be Everything to Everyone: Let’s Talk About Burnout
- SuperSummit Virtual: Strategies for Successful MSP Growth and Scale
Week 3
- Easy Path to MSP Security: Focus on GDAP, Teams & SharePoint Scenarios
- EP148 – The Top 5 Helpdesk Automations That Every MSP Needs with Bradley Munday from Uptime Solutions and Ian Luckett
- The IT Consultant’s Year Of Intention
- TubbTalk 135: How to Turn Employees into a Company’s Biggest Cybersecurity Asset
- IT Nation Connect 2023
And Week 4
- From Basics to Breakthroughs: Evolution of IT Security in the 1980s
- EP029 – Inbay and the Globalised MSP with Shaun McNamee
- AI vs Software Outsourcing: An Opportunity or a Threat?
- 3 Tips for Adding the Right Kind of Recurring Revenue
- Managed Services Summit North Comes to Manchester on 21st November 2023
How You Can Help
And that’s a wrap for Tubbservatory Round-Up #22!
Have something truly extraordinary to contribute? Be it an incredible tool or a mind-blowing resource, we’re all ears!
Please share it in the comments section below, and let’s maintain the free flow of knowledge. Your input holds immense value for us!
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I'm a small business owner, technical writer and blogger, with 15 years experience in corporate IT. I frequently attend MSP peer groups and create content relevant to IT service providers and business owners.
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