MSP & Cloud Certification The Ultimate Managed Services Best Practice Roadmap
What we will cover Why we need MSP/Cloud standards The UCS Difference UCS Audit Process What's in it for you? Take the first step towards MSP/Cloud excellence
About the MSPAlliance The MSPAlliance is the world s largest Professional Association and Accrediting Body for the Managed Services Industry. As such, we make sure that every one of our members adheres to a strict code of ethics; which means a great deal to the IT Business Consumer. The MSPAlliance is made up of over 15,000 providers worldwide, working together in a vendor-neutral manner to define and promote the Managed Services industry by educating consumers on the benefits of using Managed Service Providers. For 12 years, the MSPAlliance has been the only unified voice for the Managed Services Industry, and the only organization that promotes the highest level of professionalism, reliability and integrity.
MSPAlliance Mission To promote the Managed Services Industry, as a true and viable profession to the IT Business Consumer Build a community of trusted, certified, and audited providers throughout the world Have members who adhere to a strict code of ethics, giving the IT Business Consumer the confidence to know that they are working with trustworthy and competent service providers
Why we need MSP standards Managed Services is an unregulated profession MSPs can say and do anything with little or no oversight End-users don't have effective tools to select MSPs Only by self-regulation can MSPs protect themselves and determine their own future
UCS - The MSP Gold Standard Developed by MSPAlliance For Cloud, Managed Service Providers, and Hosting Facilities Based on 11 Control Objectives Audit performed by FROST, PLLC Public Report Issued Certified by MSPAlliance Existing IT standards DO NOT address the unique operational aspects of managed services and cloud providers. The UCS DOES!
The UCS Difference There are many certifications claiming legitimacy, why is the UCS different? UCS was made for MSPs by MSPs Oldest MSP standard in existence Under constant peer and end-user review UCS is designed to help you sell! Everything else is an imitation!
UCS Control Objectives Provider Organization, Governance, Planning and Risk Management Data Integrity Documented Policies and Procedures Physical and Environmental Security Service Change Management Service Level Agreement Event Management Customer Reporting and Billing Logical Security Financial Health Change Management
UCS Process 1. Service Provider completes application 2. Service Provider is given a UCS data gathering document listing the controls and control objectives that will be examined 3. UCS data gathering document is reviewed by MSPAlliance and audit team. At this time, additional information may be requested from the service provider 4. MSPAlliance will assist the service provider in audit preparation and documentation of the Description of the Service Delivery Environment 5. Auditor will visit the service provider s physical locations to perform onsite testing of the applicable controls 6. Auditor will issue a report containing their findings to the MSPAlliance 7. MSPAlliance will issue UCS certification, along with the auditor's report, to the service provider
UCS Benefits Standardized audits Designed for MSPs and Cloud Providers Effective Sales/Marketing Report Offers 3rd party public audit report Free Consulting!!! 2 levels of audit assurance Industry Standardization Best way to prove you are doing what you say you are doing! Internationally accepted
What Next? Charles Weaver - charles@mspalliance.com Cody Griffin - cgriffin@frostpllc.com