The MSP Zone

Hosted by Charles Weaver

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Episodes

349

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Weekly discussion of news, events, and topics of interest to the global managed services professional community. The series will have the latest and most relevant discussions in managed services and cloud computing, featuring special guests and notable figures in the profession.

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60 recent

June 16, 2026Episode 35348 min

Can you 'GRC' your way to MSP Maturity?

What if the biggest barrier to your MSP’s growth isn’t your technology, but your mindset? Charles Weaver and Chris Viau expose the dangerous myths around compliance, GRC tools, and operational maturity that could be sabotaging your success, and share the bold truth: You don’t need complex tools to excel.Forget the tick-box chaos! Discover why MSPs operating like true partners, not just reactive fixers, are the ones turning compliance into a competitive edge. We break down how the real secret isn’t in apps or frameworks, but in mature processes, disciplined operations, and leadership. You’ll learn:-Why GRC tools won’t make you compliant or mature, but honest operational processes will.-How MSPs often fool themselves into thinking green checkboxes mean real security.-The overlooked role of internal processes versus tool stacks in audit success.-Why jumping into frameworks like CMMC without a plan can sabotage your reputation, and when to actually certify.-Actionable steps for MSPs to lead their customers toward true compliance, profit, and peace of mind.This isn’t just about avoiding fines or passing audits, it’s about transforming your entire practice. If you’re tired of complexity and ready for clarity, this episode is your wake-up call to operate smarter, not harder.Chris Viau, MSP compliance expert and leader of MSP certifications, reveals the insider truths that will elevate your game. This is for the MSPs daring to be more than just support, to become trusted, mature partners with operational integrity at their core.Don’t settle for the illusion of compliance. Tune in and learn how to build an MSP that’s resilient, profitable, and truly compliant.

June 3, 2026Episode 35259 min

Why is my MSP Cyber Insurance so High?

Navigating the complexities of cyber insurance can be daunting for MSPs—rising premiums, intricate applications, and a gap between underwriter expectations and MSP capabilities. This episode offers a transformative approach to mastering your insurance strategy, ensuring you’re not just covered but optimally protected.We delve into the MSPAlliance Cyber Insurance program, revealing how MSPs can effectively manage costs, enhance credibility, and position themselves as secure, insurable entities. If you're frustrated with overpaying or facing unexpected challenges at renewal, this episode is your essential guide.Discover how the insurance industry evaluates MSP risk and why many MSPs are unknowingly overexposed. We provide honest insights into the evolving landscape, influenced by global events and a shifting cybersecurity environment. Learn how to safeguard your business through strategic risk management, robust contracts, and informed insurance choices.Key takeaways include: • Leveraging the MSPAlliance program to avoid traditional broker pitfalls and adopt standards-based approaches. • Evaluating existing policies and claims to save money and identify coverage gaps before renewal. • Right-sizing your limits, negotiating premiums, and avoiding the dangers of dual policies and outdated contracts. • Partnering with the MSPAlliance to secure better coverage, reduce costs, and achieve accurate risk assessments, regardless of your size or location. • Understanding the impact of legal cases, social engineering, and operational changes on your insurance needs.This episode is about redefining your MSP’s cybersecurity posture, legal standing, and market reputation. If you’re committed to reducing risk, gaining control, and making insurance work for you, this episode is your blueprint. Perfect for MSPs ready to eliminate confusion and overpayment.The future of MSP risk management starts with education, standards, and decisive action. Are you ready to elevate your strategy? Tune in now to begin your journey.

May 20, 2026Episode 35151 min

How a Caribbean MSP Is Leading the Global Shift in Cybersecurity

Most MSPs are on the front lines of a major shift in cybersecurity and AI, with an increasingly important role to play as the industry evolves. In this episode, Guy Phoenix, Managing Director of Fresh Mango Technologies, shares a clear view of what it takes for MSPs to stay ahead in a rapidly changing landscape. He highlights how MSPs can better align their services with the growing security and AI needs of their clients—and why stepping into that role is critical to delivering long-term value and trust.From the Caribbean to the UK, Guy shares a bold, insider perspective on the global MSP landscape—highlighting the massive opportunities hidden in cybersecurity and AI. You'll discover: why the UK’s Cyber Essentials framework is just the start, how MSPs can leverage AI for serious internal efficiency, and why responsible innovation is THE key to long-term success.Most importantly, Guy blasts the myth that AI threatens humans—he shows how AI is a game-changer for MSPs, allowing them to elevate their services and build trust with clients. This episode challenges everything you thought you knew about the future of managed services, demanding you think bigger, faster, and smarter.If you're an MSP craving growth, or a business owner who needs to understand how AI can protect and propel you, this episode is an urgent call to action. The industry is moving, whether you like it or not—are you ready to lead the charge?Trust us: missing this is NOT an option. Your competitive edge starts here.

May 6, 2026Episode 35044 min

Aligning MSP Service Catalogs with Service Agreements

Most MSPs are unknowingly risking their business with outdated contracts and misaligned service descriptions. What if you could transform chaos into clarity; turn your service catalog into a legal powerhouse that defends, scales, and sells your business effortlessly? In this episode of the MSP Zone, Charles and legal tech visionary Rob Scott expose the silent danger lurking in your service descriptions and contracts, and show you how a well-synced service catalog can be your ultimate shield and growth hack. Discover the real reason MSPs face disputes, margin erosion, and legal exposure—and learn the blueprint to turn your service offerings into enforceable, scalable contracts that boost valuation and compliance. You'll uncover: • Why most MSPs treat their service catalogs like marketing assets instead of legal assets, and why that’s a disaster waiting to happen. • The core principles of crafting a dynamic, ever-evolving service catalog that aligns with your management tools and legal frameworks. • How standardizing service descriptions unlocks efficiency, mitigates risk, and sets the stage for seamless sales, even as technology evolves at breakneck speed. • The critical role of the owner or CEO in owning and maintaining an in-sync service operation, regardless of your company size. • The pitfalls of outdated agreements in today’s AI-driven, cyber-ready environment—and how to future-proof your MSP. Whether you’re sub-$1.5M or already scaling, this episode will revolutionize your approach. Don't let misalignment, legal gaps, or outdated contracts sabotage your success. This is essential listening if you want your MSP to thrive in a complex, fast-changing world. Get the insights that top MSPs swear by because knowing this could be the difference between staying afloat or flourishing. Your service catalog and contracts can be your best allies; are you ready to harness their power?

April 22, 2026Episode 34950 min

The Role of Penetration Testing in MSP Cybersecurity

Unlock the truth about penetration testing — it’s not just a box to check but a vital armor for MSPs fighting unseen threats every day. Are you truly protected, or are your assumptions leaving gaps in your security fortress? This episode dives deep into the misunderstood world of pen testing, revealing why it can make or break your reputation, trust, and legal standing.Meet Steve Smith and Shaun Peapell from Rootshell Security — experts who turn the sneaky tactics of hackers into your strongest line of defense. They break down the real purpose of pen testing and how it extends beyond a once-a-year ritual. Discover why continuous testing, layered with vulnerability scans and AI-powered tools, is no longer optional but essential in today’s relentlessly evolving landscape. You’ll uncover:The difference between scanning, vulnerability management, and pen testing — and why each has a vital role in your security strategyThe risks of doing pen testing wrong and how to avoid legal pitfalls and reputation hitsHow MSPs should approach offering pen testing as a service and why independence is everythingThe game-changing shift from annual assessments to continuous testing, and how to implement it effectivelyWhy AI is a double-edged sword that amplifies both threats and defenses, and how humans remain irreplaceable in this tech-driven worldIf you’re an MSP or security leader desperate to level up your defenses, listen now. This episode isn’t just about tools; it’s about mindset, strategy, and the courage to hold your environment accountable in an uncertain, AI-autonomous future.Don’t leave your security to chance; partner with experts, embrace ongoing testing, and build resilience that withstands the most relentless adversaries. The stakes are higher than ever; complacency isn’t an option. Hit play, get inspired, and start rewriting your security playbook today.

April 9, 2026Episode 34825 min

MSP Profitability - Who Cares?

Profitability in MSPs is not the ultimate badge of success — yet it’s widely treated as the holy grail. Why? Because behind the obsession with margins and EBITDA, we’re ignoring the real foundation of resilient, scalable managed services: operational maturity.Charlie Weaver blows the lid off the myth that profit alone equals strength. He reveals how MSPs can be highly profitable and dangerously immature, exposing hidden risks like cyber hygiene failures, disorganized processes, and regulatory blind spots. These issues threaten your business far more than fleeting financial metrics.You’ll discover:Why chasing numbers can blind you to operational fragilityThe crucial connection between MSP maturity and genuine profitabilityHow to ask the right questions about service consistency, resilience, and securityThe pitfalls of peer pressure and private equity narratives pushing short-term gains over long-term strengthThe real framework for building a secure, compliant, and profitable MSP—beyond just the spreadsheetsThe stakes couldn’t be higher. Neglecting MSP maturity can lead to costly lawsuits, regulatory crackdowns, or catastrophic security breaches—risks that no profit margin can shield you from. But when you focus on operational excellence first, profit becomes a natural byproduct.This episode is not just for seasoned owners—it's a wake-up call for every MSP aiming to thrive in a landscape where reputation, security, and operational discipline matter more than ever.Are you ready to stop chasing numbers and start building a profession? Tune in, learn how to assess your MSP’s true health, and shift your focus to the fundamentals that create lasting success.

March 26, 2026Episode 34733 min

Examining US National AI Strategy

Most people overlook how urgent, and critical, this moment is for the future of AI in America. A new, sweeping federal policy is forging a singular AI framework, and your MSP is about to be at the very heart of it. If you’re running a managed services business or depend on one, you cannot afford to ignore the seismic shifts happening RIGHT NOW. This isn’t just talk; it’s a blueprint for U.S. dominance, safety, and trust in AI; and it’s coming straight for your doorstep. In this episode, we break down what the White House’s new AI policy really means; bushing past the political fluff to reveal the strategic goals of maintaining U.S. global supremacy while reducing real-world harms like cyber threats and offensive AI use. You’ll discover why this policy is fundamentally about deregulation, speed to market, and standardization; an unstoppable push that will reshape every sector from healthcare to finance, and crucially, your MSP practice. I reveal why your role isn’t just an afterthought but the operational backbone to making the whole thing succeed.You’ll learn exactly what the government’s targeting: AI dominance, safety, workforce training, and a unified, flexible regulatory environment that minimizes chaos and maximizes innovation. We discuss the vital role MSPs will play in deploying, safeguarding, and even shaping this national strategy; it’s your time to step into the spotlight and become an essential defender of America’s AI future.This episode is essential for anyone who runs a managed service or cares about the future of technology in the U.S. Because if MSPs don’t step up, if we don’t understand, adapt, and influence this policy, others will. The future of AI in America is about to be written—will you be part of the story or just an observer? Hit play, your role in shaping the next chapter starts now.

March 17, 2026Episode 34621 min

The MSP/AI Paradox

Most MSPs are chasing AI, but the real game-changer isn't just the tool — it's who you are as a provider. Are you reactive, firefighting, inconsistent? Or proactive, scalable, and prepared to harness AI’s true power?In this bold episode, Charlie Weaver exposes the paradox that’s holding many MSPs back: the more reactive you are, the harder it becomes to succeed with AI. He reveals why foundational habits—like documented processes, standardized tech stacks, and proactive practices—are your secret weapons. When you level up these elements, AI becomes a force multiplier, not a burden.Discover the Steve Rogers Effect: why your MSP's inner core determines your AI success. Charlie breaks down how reactive MSPs face an uphill climb, fighting unstable data and chaotic workflows, leading to wasted effort. Meanwhile, proactive MSPs, with mature processes and predictability, unlock AI’s potential fast—turning challenges into scalable growth and efficiency. You'll learn the true foundation for AI adoption: discipline, process, and cultural readiness. This isn't about the latest tools; it's about your mindset. Whether you're on the brink of AI or just getting started, this episode empowers you to transform your MSP from reactive chaos to proactive strength — because AI reflects who you are, not just what you have.This is your wake-up call to move beyond reaction, embrace discipline, and let AI amplify your core competencies. Perfect for MSPs hungry for transformational growth in 2026 and beyond. Are you ready to unlock AI’s full potential? Hit play, and start becoming the MSP you've always wanted to be.

March 11, 2026Episode 34541 min

An Interview with Steve Shattuck of GoTo

Unlock the truth behind the comeback of LogMeIn and what it really means for MSPs in 2026! Is your current tech stack ready for the game-changing next chapter? This episode explodes the myths, reveals insider strategies, and shows you how the industry’s most powerful brands are reshaping the future of managed services—and how YOU can position yourself to win big.MSPs and VARs, listen UP—the landscape is shifting faster than ever. Steve Shattuck from GoTo pulls back the curtain on their bold comeback, their laser focus on high-impact, world-class products like LogMeIn Rescue and Resolve MSP, and the game plan to make you more profitable and secure in a cyber-aware world.We break down: • The revival story of LogMeIn—why they brought back their iconic brand in 2025 and what that signals for the MSP ecosystem. • How GoTo’s dual-brand strategy simplifies your options and skyrockets your competitiveness. • The real reason why MSP-focused tools are getting smarter—AI’s secret role in automating security, saving time, and boosting profits. • The new partner programs launching in 2026 designed to scale your growth and deepen your strategic relationships. • Lessons learned from a decade of vendor consolidation—how to avoid the common pitfalls and leverage selective best-of-breed solutions. • The urgent need for security-first, zero trust approaches in today’s threat landscape—MSPs are the frontline, and the stakes have never been higher. • Why treating MSPs like true partners, not just customers, is the key to long-term success and mutual growth.If you’re an MSP or VAR feeling the pressure of an ever-changing tech world—and hungry for insights that actually move the needle—this episode is your essential playbook. Get inspired, get informed, and get ready to lead your business into a future where you control the narrative.Ready to see the industry from the inside out? Hit play—your next big move starts here.This episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about thriving in the MSP space with

March 4, 2026Episode 34444 min

Cyber Attacks or Cyber Negligence: What is Inevitable vs what is Preventable

Most cyber incidents are not the result of sophisticated attacks; they are often failures of basic cyber hygiene. But why do so many organizations continue to overlook the fundamentals? In this heart-pounding episode, Charlie Weaver and cybersecurity expert Corey Munson unravel the myth of sophistication and reveal how preventable most breaches truly are. This is not about flashy new tools or complicated techniques; it is about returning to the fundamentals that every MSP and business owner needs to master. You will learn why 90 percent of breaches can be prevented by straightforward, affordable actions such as patching, managing remote desktop protocol, and controlling user access. The episode explores why we are still stuck in basic cyber hygiene practices in 2026. Corey shares actual examples, from citywide cybersecurity failures to legal challenges, demonstrating the risks of calling incidents “sophisticated attacks” when they are actually preventable. You’ll learn how public policy, insurance, and legal landscapes are shifting, making cybersecurity accountability more crucial than ever. The stakes aren’t just technical, they’re financial, legal, and cultural. This episode will redefine how you see cyber defense: it’s not about fighting supervillains, but about relentless, foundational discipline. This episode is essential listening for MSPs, business owners, and cybersecurity advocates who are ready to break the misconception that only advanced threats cause breaches. Consider this your call to action, because prevention starts with recognizing and addressing the basic steps that are often overlooked. Are you engaging in these critical discussions? Do your clients realize they have the power to protect themselves and are not simply at the mercy of cyber threats?If you are done accepting the excuse of sophisticated attacks and want practical, meaningful change, this episode is exactly what you need. Press play and take charge of your cyber hygiene transformation now.