Web proxies intercept traffic from your systems as they move to other systems, analyze the packets, then send the data along. There are a lot of reasons why you might want to intercept packets. Originally the main use case for a proxy was as a caching server. In this use case, the first time a person in your network goes to a website, the static content (particularly graphic images) gets downloaded and cached. Then, because the content is local, the next person to hit that site will get a fast response.

By now you’ve likely been flooded with dozens of client requests to set their employees up to work remotely. While it sounds like a simple request, it’s often easier said than done as many clients are missing the resources they need to effectively work from home. During COVID-19, if you’re searching for ways to quickly enable your clients to work and collaborate remotely while keeping their networks stable and secure, you’ve found it.

Your phone is ringing off the hook. Another client is calling, trying to figure out how to ensure their team can continue to be productive in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though these are extraordinary times, your role as the IT professional hasn’t really changed. Your job is to make sure your clients are productive and they can still access the resources, tools, and applications they need to do their jobs.

You’ve likely heard a thing—or two (ba dum tss!)—about two-factor authentication, or 2FA. After all, it’s become a bit of a hot topic recently as the nature and number of security breaches has evolved. Compromised user data regularly surfaces on the dark web, giving malicious actors access to your password(s) for a couple bucks. That’s why passwords just don’t cut it as your only security effort anymore—and that’s where 2FA comes in.

I speak to a lot of MSPs every day, and I’m always asked for advice on meeting new prospects. Finding new clients is one of the biggest challenges they all face. “Have you tried asking your existing clients for referrals?” is my stock answer, and with good reason—prospects referred to you by an existing client are four times more likely to buy than any other opportunities you’ll chase. Here are my tips on supercharging your referrals and winning new business.

MSPs generate more MRR (monthly recurring revenue) when they’re able to reduce reactive noise and dedicate their resources to more proactive MSP tasks. This is because proactive tasks are predictable. They’re scheduled into our days (e.g., regular technology alignment visits, business impact and strategy meetings, centralized services, and projects). We know how much they cost and how long they take to complete. We know the margins on proactive tasks (if we price them properly).

The National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework—NIST Cybersecurity Framework for short—is a set of best practices to help companies better identify, detect, and respond to cyberattacks. While the framework was intended to be used by internal IT teams, its five major themes—identify, protect, detect, respond, and recover—can be used to create a handy network security assessment tool for MSPs.

Standard operating procedures—more commonly known as SOPs—are written, step-by-step instructions that describe how to perform a routine activity. While you can create an SOP for anything, SOPs that outline technical procedures are a well-known path to increasing efficiency in your MSP business. Whether you’ve got existing SOPs you’re interested in updating, or you’re looking for some basic steps to build brand new SOPs around, you’ve come to the right place.

For MSP business owners, figuring out how to improve your bottom line is like an ongoing game of tug of war. Do you raise your rates or do you make your service staff more productive? Raising rates may seem like the easier option, but at the risk of upsetting existing clients and losing prospects to competitors with better rates, it may not be your best bet. Instead, you should focus on improving service efficiency and productivity within your MSP.

It’s the beginning of a new year! You’ve had a great 12 months, are rested after the holiday break, and are now raring to make this year your MSP’s best one yet. You’re enthusiastic and you’re energetic. But how can you turn this positive energy into business success? Start by using these seven suggestions to kickstart your MSP for (almost) immediate improvements.