Tubbservatory Round-Up #15 – March 2023

Tubbservatory Round-Up – Tools and Resources for Your MSP

Each week, Richard throws a spotlight on five resources Managed Service Provider (MSP) business owners should take note of in the IT industry. The Tubbservatory is a weekly video broadcast featuring useful articles, podcasts and events that bring value to IT business owners.

Tubbservatory Round-Up #15 – March 2023 is a recap of all of the Tubbservatory episodes made during the month of March. All edited together for you to watch at your convenience. The items are summarised below, with links to the resources mentioned in the video at the end of this article.

This month’s topics include: Cybersecurity, Leadership, Mental Health, Marketing and Shadow IT.

Tubbservatory: The March 2023 Round-Up Video

Tubbservatory Round-Up #15: March – Week 1

#1 Email Security Trends Report 2023 by Barracuda MSP

Email is a top target for cyberattacks, so the 2023 email security trends report from Barracuda MSP is valuable research for MSPs looking to keep their clients safe.

Barracuda’s research team has identified 13 email threat types that companies need to defend against, as well as providing advice to MSPs.

This report is one to download.

#2 Vishing Attacks and How to Avoid Them

And talking of Cybersecurity, have you heard of Vishing?

In their article on vishing, Augmentt shares that a vishing attack or voice phishing is a kind of scam in which fraudsters use phone calls.

If your clients use a Voice-over-IP based telephone system, this article is a must-read.

#3 Infection Monkey: An Open-Source Breach and Attack Simulation Platform

A tool that caught my eye is Infection Monkey.

Infection Monkey is an open-source breach and attack simulation (or BAS) platform that helps you validate existing controls and identify how attackers might exploit your current network security gaps.

If you’re intrigued to find out more, then Brandon Hopkins has an excellent video courtesy of Linode.

#4 MSP Mental Health: Tips and Resources

Now, raising awareness of Mental Health is something I’m personally passionate about and that I believe the Managed Services industry would benefit from learning more about.

So I was honoured when Domotz asked me to share my MSP Mental Health Tips for IT business owners.

I hope this article helps MSPs become aware of the signs of mental health challenges.

If you’re feeling chronically stressed or experiencing frequent low moods, I’d encourage you to first speak to your friends and family Click to Tweet

#5 ConnectWise IT Nation 2023 returns to London on 20-22nd March

ConnectWise IT Nation London 2023 takes place on 20th-22nd March 2023 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.

Delegates can expect content to address business concerns such as:  

Leading and growing during economic uncertainty
Accelerating recurring revenue 
Attracting and retaining talent

I hope to see you there!

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Tubbservatory Round-Up #15: March – Week 2

#1 Risk Roundtable: What Top Security Researchers are Worried About Right Now

What are top security researchers worried about right now? That’s the question answered in the newly released Risk roundtable from Acronis.

Some of the topics the panel of experts cover include:

How cyberthreats impact different risk areas for MSPs and their client data
Dealing with cyber insurance policies, and
The transfer of risk and Security risks heading into 2023 and the technologies to counter them

This 35-minute video is full of great cybersecurity advice for MSPs.

#2 How to Recession-Proof Your MSP SuperPod Podcast Series

How Can You Recession-Proof Your MSP? That’s the topic of the latest season of the SuperPod No-Filter MSP Podcast from SuperOps

In the first two episodes, guests include Dave Patel, who shares ‘What does an MSP acquirer look for’, and Robin Ody who gives advice on what every MSP needs to know about the recession.

Subscribe now to your favourite Podcast player.

#3 ‘IT is not an Island’: IT Leaders’ Most Important Lessons

IT is not an island, so shares some of the industries top IT leaders in this excellent article from Tom Allen of Computing Magazine.

For example, former HarperCollins CIO Laura Meyer stresses the importance of networking, while John Sullivan, CIO of Great British Railways, notes that technology is secondary to people and culture when it comes to transformation.

#4 What is Shadow IT: Examples, Statistics and Risks

What is Shadow IT? Joseph Harisson of IT Companies gives an in-depth look at what shadow IT is and the security risks it poses to organisations.

MSPs will also appreciate this article’s suggested ways to prevent or mitigate those risks, which include:

Data breaches
Compliance issues, and
Resource misuses

#5 SuperOps SuperSummit Live 2023 Returned to London on 23rd March

It was one of the standout events of 2022, and it returned this year!

The MSP SuperSummit 2023 Live took place in London on 23rd March hosted by SuperOps.

The theme for this year’s SuperSummit was Future Proof Your MSP.

SuperSummit Live is all about you, the MSP. The event has a strict NO to vendor pitches; and a big YES to community and knowledge-sharing. It’s just about standing together and helping each MSP win.

I was one of the speakers, alongside experts such as Paul Green, Mark Copeman, Vera Tucci, Scott Riley and many others.

This is definitely one to register for!

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Tubbservatory Round-Up #15: March – Week 3

#1 SkyKick: Security Manager Video Tutorials on M365 Security

A series of videos that caught my eye this week is the Microsoft 365 Security video tutorials from SkyKick.

The videos are short, to the point and give MSPs instructions on how to bolster their clients’ M365 tenant security.

I’d highly recommend bookmarking this URL as one to refer to often.

#2 HappySignals’ 9th Annual Global IT Experience Benchmark Survey Results

HappySignals have announced the results of their 9th annual Global IT Experience Benchmark survey.

Over 1.6 million end users participated in the survey, and if you want to understand how you can improve the IT experience for your end-users, then this is a superb read.

Thanks to Jason Kemsley at Uptime Solutions for sharing!

#3 Pax8 Launch Their Professional Services Arm for MSPs

News from the UK that Pax8 have launched their Professional Services offering for MSPs.

MSPs can now partner with Pax8 to add extra bandwidth and expertise to your team so you can focus on growing your business.

Azure Migration Services, Intune advisory and implementation and custom projects are just some of the ways Pax8 Pro Serve promises to help MSPs.

I believe this is a game changer for progressive MSPs who want to be seen as more than just the IT guys.

#4 10 Tips to Help You Develop Your Empathy Skills

Empathy is an undervalued part of the service desk role, so this article on 10 practical tips you might consider to help you develop your empathy is a useful read.

Trevor Norman of Tribero suggests using people’s names, smiling and not interrupting people is key to developing your empathy.

#5 Two Great Live Events in London on the Week Commencing 20th March

And finally, if you’re not in London next week, then you’re going to miss not one but TWO huge MSP events!

ConnectWise IT Nation London takes place on 21st/22nd March, followed by the MSP SuperSummit from SuperOps.

I’ll be at both events, and I hope to see you there!

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Tubbservatory Round-Up #15: March – Week 4

#1 MSPs Stop Jumping to AI: Focus on Predictable Automation First!

That’s the advice from Ben Spector of Zomentum and Jason Kemsley of Uptime Solutions in this on-demand webinar video.

Ben and Jason give some excellent practical tips for MSPs on automating predictable workflows so that you can get ready for AI.

This video is definitely worth watching.

#2 How, When, and Why to Fire Clients

For MSPs who work hard to land and retain clients, it can seem counterintuitive to “fire” some.

However, many experts, including myself, advise doing just that.

This article from ChannelPro magazine shows the How, When, and Why to fire MSP clients.

#3 Stop Making These MSP SEO Mistakes with Pronto Marketing

A video that caught my eye was Stop Making These MSP SEO Mistakes from Pronto Marketing.

The short video shows the most common Search Engine Optimisation mistakes that Pronto sees MSPs making on their websites.

This is a great guide for those MSPs who find that their content isn’t reaching their audience.

#4 Where Does Relax Fit with Succeed?

When it comes to relaxation, focus, and succeed — where exactly does relaxation fit in with success?

Here’s a great short video from MSP expert Karl Palachuk offering advice for MSPs to succeed without burning out.

Take 5 minutes out of your day, relax, and watch this video!

#5 41 Obsolete Technologies That Will Baffle Modern Generations

Here are 41 obsolete technologies that will baffle modern generations!

Adrian Willings of Pocket Lint has pulled together a list of some tech that I and some of our more experienced viewers may remember.

Pagers, fax machines, and overhead projectors are three of the technologies that may be a mystery to our younger viewers.

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Tubbservatory Round-Up #15: March – Week 5

#1 SkyKick Security Manager Eases MSP Microsoft GDAP Transition

MSPs are hearing a lot of talk around GDAP compliance.

Granular delegated admin permissions (GDAP) give partners access to their clients’ workloads in a way that is more granular and time-bound, which can help to address security concerns.

Well, SkyKick report that Microsoft is transitioning partners to GDAP starting 22 May 2023 and have an excellent blog which explains what to expect.

MSPs, make sure to read this article.

#2 Pax8 – Your Checklist to Maximizing Vendor Defensibility

How do you know if your vendor partners are taking cybersecurity as seriously as they should?

Noted cybersecurity expert Matt Lee of Pax8 has put together a superb “SaaS Vendor Security Questions Checklist for MSPs” that includes steps such as check ‘Your Vendor Against Cybersecurity Industry Standard’s and ‘Asking If the Vendor Will Share Their Security Documentation with You’.

This is a checklist well worth exploring.

#3 MSP Video Marketing Masterclass with Pete Matheson

Now, video marketing is very popular amongst MSPs, but if you’re not comfortable with video, then MSP expert Pete Matheson has your back.

Matheson has launched the “MSP Video Marketing Masterclass” to help you learn how to use video to build a brand that brings inbound leads into your business, from someone that’s actually done it.

#4 Cloud isn’t as Efficient as we’d All Like to Think

The Cloud isn’t as efficient as we’d all like to think.

Penny Horwood writes for Computing Magazine on why the environmental credentials of Amazon, Microsoft and Google are being challenged.

This research makes fascinating reading for anyone interested in the efficiency of the cloud services that we’re all buying into.

#5 MSP Camp Marketing Campaigns

If you thought MSP marketing campaigns were no fun, then MSP Camp have introduced the MSP Marketing Online Game!

Arm your avatar Maurice, and then defend your camp against incoming threats.

At least if someone discovers you playing, you can argue it’s work-related!

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Links to the Resources Mentioned in this Round-Up

From Week 1

Mentioned in Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

And Week 5

How You Can Help

That’s all from the Tubbservatory Round-Up for March 2023!

Have you spotted a useful tool or resource that you think we may be interested in?

Please let us know in the comments.

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Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Events, Leadership, Marketing, MSP News, Process Automation, Professional Services, Resources, Sales and Marketing, Shadow IT, Tubbservatory, Tubbservatory Round-Up, Video

STEPHEN MCCORMICK

I'm the MSP Community Manager for Tubblog. 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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