Today, the average company deploys up to 112 SaaS apps, and that number climbs to about 142 in larger organizations. Unfortunately, more apps mean more risks. The flexible and dynamic nature of cloud environments, unpredictable user behavior and sprawling SaaS ecosystems open the door to a variety of cyberthreats.

Without proper visibility and robust response strategies, a wrong click, misconfiguration or compromised token can lead to serious data breaches.

In our previous article, we discussed how Kaseya 365 User helps you prevent threats targeting your end users. In this article, we will explore how SaaS Alerts, a key component of Kaseya 365 User, can help your organization detect and respond to user-driven SaaS threats before they escalate into full-blown breaches.

The real risks lurking in SaaS environments

Although SaaS apps offer flexibility, scalability and cost efficiency, the shift to the cloud comes with a significant tradeoff: security blind spots. Here are a few common threat vectors to watch out for in your SaaS platforms:

OAuth abuse: With countless SaaS apps and just as many logins, password fatigue is hitting hard. To make life easier, many users skip traditional logins and sign in with their Microsoft or Google accounts using OAuth. However, if a hacker gets into one of those accounts, they instantly unlock access to every connected SaaS app.

Rogue logins: SaaS apps allow users to access accounts from virtually anywhere. That said, unusual sign-in attempts, especially from foreign locations or anonymized IPs, can indicate that an account has been hijacked or credentials have been leaked.

Insider threats: Disgruntled or careless employees can intentionally or accidentally delete critical files or leak sensitive information outside the organization.

Privilege escalation: Many guest accounts are mistakenly given internal or privileged access. Threat actors can exploit active and unmanaged accounts to gain elevated access or make unauthorized changes to user roles or permissions, granting them more access than they should have.  

Token theft: Cybercriminals intercept the token before it reaches the legitimate SaaS service and use it to gain full access to the user’s account — bypassing traditional password protections.

Misconfigurations: A simple error — like leaving a SharePoint folder public — can expose sensitive company data. According to The State of SaaS Backup and Recovery Report 2025, over 30% of businesses lost SaaS data due to misconfiguration.

Why SaaS Alerts is a must-have

As cloud services like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and Salesforce become mission-critical, the SaaS landscape has grown into a fragmented network of potential vulnerabilities. Many security tools, such as antivirus, endpoint detection and response (EDR) and firewalls, don’t protect user activity within these cloud applications.

That’s where SaaS Alerts comes in.

SaaS Alerts gives your IT team the visibility, correlation and action they need to stay ahead of threats. It constantly watches user activity across SaaS apps and can automatically act within seconds of detecting malicious behavior with no human intervention required.

SaaS Alerts leverages machine learning to spot suspicious patterns, instantly trigger alerts and lock compromised accounts, enabling you to quickly respond to SaaS threats.

The five core modules of SaaS Alerts

The five powerful modules in SaaS Alerts secure your business-critical SaaS applications from both internal and external threats.

1. Fortify module: Preemptive defense

The Fortify module within SaaS Alerts makes enforcing SaaS security best practices simple and scalable. It provides:

Centralized visibility: Get a holistic view of the Microsoft secure scores for all your managed tenants. No more tenant-by-tenant digging.

Actionable recommendations: Quickly identify the recommended actions needed to improve each tenant’s security score and reduce exposure.

Automated security policy system: With Fortify, you can apply security recommendations across all of your tenants in minutes, saving valuable IT time and ensuring consistent protection.

Continuous monitoring: Get real-time alerts if a security score drops so you can take immediate action to maintain optimal security levels. For example, weak or missing multifactor authentication (MFA), dormant accounts, risky OAuth grants and misused admin privileges.

With pre-built and customizable policies, Fortify detects misconfigurations before they turn into vulnerabilities. This allows IT teams and managed service providers (MSPs) to enforce SaaS security best practices at scale, hardening environments proactively rather than scrambling after a security incident.

2. Respond module: Real-time threat detection and response

The Respond module in SaaS Alerts uses advanced automation technology to block threats around the clock without any human intervention. It allows you to:

Respond effectively to SaaS-based threats: Take automated actions, like account lockdown to prevent access, session termination to halt ongoing malicious activity and alert routing, to security teams for deeper investigation.

In 2024 alone, the SaaS Alerts’ Respond module helped prevent 11,478 potential breaches across 1,107 partners — that’s nearly 10 incidents stopped per partner, on average.

Start securing SaaS apps quickly: Simple setup using common logic and straightforward workflows allows you to create automated response rules without any hassle. You also gain access to built-in templates, which make it easy to hit the ground running — no complex configurations needed.

Real-world use cases of the Respond module:

• Reduces response time and minimizes potential damage by stopping breaches in near-real-time after detection.
• Detects and blocks suspicious login attempts from unexpected or unauthorized geographic locations.
• Flags and stops excessive file downloads that could indicate data exfiltration.
• Interrupts privilege escalation attempts before attackers can gain broader access.

The Respond module is the backbone of Kaseya 365 User’s real-time response capability, giving small and midsized businesses (SMBs) and MSPs a powerful, proactive shield against ever-evolving SaaS threats.

3. Manage module: Operational control for MSPs and SMBs

The Manage module simplifies and streamlines security management for both MSPs and internal IT teams. Its versatile capabilities bring visibility, structure and control to complex, multitenant SaaS environments.

Key capabilities include:

• Role-based access controls that enable security teams to define who can see what — and who can act — across users, tenants and applications.
• Cross-tenant management to centralize oversight across all clients or business units.
• SaaS application monitoring and logging for holistic visibility into user activity.
• Alert routing logic to ensure the right teams are notified to take appropriate actions.
• Log retention for 365 days to support investigations, audits and compliance reviews.

The Manage module reduces unnecessary noise through alert correlation and suppression, ensuring your teams only focus on what matters.

4. Report module: Clarity and compliance

The SaaS Alerts’ Report module delivers powerful, automated reporting capabilities for audits, compliance needs and executive briefings. In-depth reporting dashboards built directly into the platform offer real-time visibility into threats, alerts and overall SaaS security posture. The Report module makes it easy to track, communicate and demonstrate the value of SaaS security.

Types of reports available:

• Breach and incident summaries to document and respond to security events.
• Login activity trends to uncover unusual behavior or failed login spikes.
• Privileged user audit logs to track administrative actions across tenants.

These reports not only provide a comprehensive overview of the SaaS platforms but also highlight how threats were detected and stopped before they could escalate into bigger problems.

For MSPs, the Report module offers a simple way to show clients the value of your services and reinforces your expertise. For SMBs, it helps meet growing compliance requirements and demonstrate SaaS security posture to stakeholders through clear, data-backed insights into risk exposure and system integrity.

5. Unify module: Centralized SaaS threat management

The Unify module bridges the gap between your users’ SaaS activity and their managed devices, adding an extra layer of identity validation and strengthening your overall cyber defense.

Unify acts as a “single pane of glass” for SaaS threat management, aggregating signals and insights from multiple cloud platforms into one centralized interface. It correlates behaviors across systems, revealing deeper patterns that might go unnoticed in siloed views. It supports decision-making by showing contextual risk, not just isolated incidents.

The SaaS Alerts’ Unify module takes user identity validation to the next level by linking your users’ SaaS applications with their managed devices, enhancing security beyond passwords and MFA. It not only checks credentials but also confirms that access is coming from a trusted device, helping to block unauthorized logins and strengthening cybersecurity.

Integrations: Built to work, where you work

In an increasingly cloud-first world, businesses rely on a wide variety of SaaS platforms to enhance productivity, communication and collaboration. That’s why SaaS Alerts is built with deep integrations across your most critical SaaS tools, including Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce, Dropbox, Slack and more.

Check out the full list on our Integrations page.

Through powerful APIs, SaaS Alerts doesn’t just watch; it acts. When a threat is detected, it can:

• Automatically remediate security threats
• Create instant alerts
• Lock affected accounts
• Shutdown applications

SaaS Alerts integrates directly with the tools your teams use every day, ensuring your security strategy works where your people work.

Respond to SaaS threats quickly and effectively with Kaseya 365 User

SaaS applications aren’t going anywhere. In fact, as they become essential to daily business operations, reliance on these platforms is growing and will continue to increase in the future. That’s why proactive SaaS threat detection and real-time response are critical.

SaaS Alerts, a core element of Kaseya 365 User, brings intelligent oversight to the apps your teams rely on most. It empowers SMBs and MSPs to detect threats early, act fast and protect what matters without adding complexity.

Want to see it in action? Explore Kaseya 365 User and schedule a demo today to experience how our innovative platform can transform your SaaS security response.

The post Neutralize SaaS Threats Before They Spread With Kaseya 365 User appeared first on Kaseya.

The 2025 Global MSP Benchmark report breaks down how top-performing MSPs are growing revenue, streamlining operations and staying ahead. Here’s a snapshot of what they’re doing differently.

1. Cybersecurity is no longer optional — it’s the main event

If security isn’t a core part of your business, you’re missing a major opportunity. Cybersecurity has become the leading revenue driver, not just across the board but especially among high-performing MSPs. Those earning net profit margins of 15% or more ranked it among their top three revenue streams. In fact, 67% of all respondents said security is one of their five fastest-growing revenue categories.

Your clients are demanding it too:

• 76% of MSPs say their clients are most concerned about security
• And 64% said clients want guidance on best practices — not just tools

From endpoint detection and response (EDR) to ransomware protection, security isn’t just a value-add anymore — it’s the expectation.

2. Efficiency is key to staying competitive

Managing more clients with the same resources is one of the biggest challenges MSPs face. That’s why operational efficiency is so critical, and integration is at the heart of it. About 95% of MSPs say that connecting their RMM, PSA and IT documentation tools is essential for running smooth, scalable operations. That’s not surprising. The MSPs that scale well are the ones who eliminate the swivel chair, cut manual tasks and free up time through automation. When your systems talk to each other, your team can move faster and achieve more in less time.

3. Co-managed IT is emerging as a strong growth opportunity

You don’t need to land a full contract to grow revenue. About 61% of executive respondents said their co-managed IT revenue is up year-over-year, and two-thirds now generate up to 50% of their revenue from co-managed services.

The message is clear — internal IT teams aren’t disappearing, but they do need help, and MSPs that support them well are cashing in.

4. M&A is heating up after a slow year

As competition grows and margins tighten, many MSPs are looking beyond organic growth. About 53% say they plan to pursue mergers or acquisitions. M&A offers a faster path to scale, access to new markets and the ability to offer broader services without building everything from scratch.

This wave of consolidation can change the MSP landscape. Larger, more efficient players are emerging, and they’re setting the pace. If you’re not actively thinking about M&A, you could find yourself competing against MSPs with more resources, wider reach and a stronger market position.

5. Winning new business is harder than ever

With so many MSPs offering similar services, standing out has never been more difficult. One in three providers say acquiring new customers is their biggest challenge this year, and it’s easy to see why. The market is saturated, competition is growing and even the most advanced services can get lost in the noise.

What separates the top performers? It’s not just the tech. They build trust, guide strategy and help clients navigate an increasingly complex IT environment. Behind the scenes, they invest in branding, lead generation and sales infrastructure to ensure their value doesn’t go unnoticed.

Get the full picture

The full 2025 Global MSP Benchmark report digs even deeper into how MSPs are adapting, growing and thriving despite the pressure. You’ll get detailed data on pricing strategies, work-life balance and other critical areas shaping MSP success. Download the report now to see where you stand and where you can go next.

The post Key Findings From Kaseya’s 2025 Global MSP Benchmark Report appeared first on Kaseya.

With cyberthreats growing smarter and more targeted, your first line of defense — your end users — have become potential points of vulnerability. For decades, cybersecurity strategies have focused on defending networks, securing endpoints and deploying sophisticated firewalls. However, the paradigm is quickly shifting towards a user-based model.

Business leaders and IT professionals realize that while systems are becoming more secure, users remain the weakest link and the primary target for cyberattacks. This is because the human aspect can be easily manipulated through tactics such as social engineering, making end users more vulnerable than an organization’s systems and networks. It’s no surprise that threat actors are increasingly targeting users to gain initial access to organizations. The 2024 Kaseya Cybersecurity Survey Report revealed that risky user behavior is the leading cybersecurity challenge faced by IT professionals. A lack of cybersecurity education can turn your employees into your organization’s weakest cybersecurity link.

In this article, we explore why empowering users through training, tools and proactive preventive strategies is critical to building a security-first culture and strengthening your organization’s security posture.

Understanding user-focused cyberthreats

Your end users, often unintentionally, pose a significant risk to your organization’s security. Without proper cybersecurity awareness training and preventive measures in place, they can unknowingly open the doors to a wide range of cyberthreats. Common techniques cybercriminals use to take advantage of undereducated (in terms of cybersecurity awareness) and unprepared end users include:

Phishing

Phishing schemes are the online scams of the modern era. Threat actors impersonate trusted sources to deceive unsuspecting users into divulging sensitive information, clicking on malicious links or downloading malware-infected attachments.

Spear phishing is a highly targeted form of phishing in which attackers tailor their messages to a specific individual to increase the likelihood of success.

Credential theft

Stolen usernames and passwords are a treasure trove for cybercriminals. Login credentials, whether harvested through phishing attacks or purchased on dark web marketplaces, provide attackers with direct access to an organization’s sensitive data and systems.

Social engineering

Social engineering, in simple terms, is the process of hacking the human mind. Malicious actors impersonate IT support, co-workers or bank officials to gain their trust and trick them into sharing personal details or taking certain actions against their best interests.

BEC

In a business email compromise(BEC) attack, threat actors pose as vendors or high-ranking officials of an organization to deceive employees into making unauthorized payments or sharing confidential data. BEC attacks exploit a sense of urgency, pressuring victims to act quickly.

ATO

Once attackers gain access to user accounts, they use those privileges to move laterally, escalate privileges to gain higher-level permissions for other malicious motives and establish persistence. Account takeovers (ATOs) are often a part of long-term attack campaigns where attackers slowly embed themselves deeper within an organization’s infrastructure, undetected for weeks or months.

Prevention matters now more than ever

The numbers speak for themselves. The 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report revealed that the human factor was responsible for nearly 70% of breaches. Successful cyberattacks often begin with a simple user action — a click, a download or a misplaced credential.

Responding to cybersecurity incidents can be costly, time-consuming and labor-intensive. You must consider the costs associated with incident response, legal fees, regulatory fines, loss of business and the repair of reputational damage. On the other hand, deploying reliable cybersecurity solutions like Kaseya 365 User requires far less expenditure and offers comprehensive protection against user-based threats.

Proactive prevention strategies, such as cybersecurity awareness training, automated phishing defense and continuous dark web monitoring, can significantly reduce your organization’s exposure to threats. By identifying vulnerabilities early, you can stop attacks in their tracks rather than scrambling to respond after the damage is done.

The ability to prevent threats before they cause harm helps you avoid business disruptions, downtime, costly data breach incidents and customer churn that come with reactive approaches.

MFA and 2FA: No more a silver bullet

For a long time, multifactor authentication (MFA) and two-factor authentication (2FA) were considered the ultimate defense against unauthorized access to user accounts and sensitive data. However, that’s no longer the case.

Cybercriminals have evolved and adapted. Techniques like MFA fatigue, session hijacking and man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks have made even accounts protected by MFA or 2FA no longer safe.

With the rise of generative AI, cybercriminals can now craft highly polished, personalized and convincing phishing messages at scale and automate attacks like never before. The question now is no longer if your end users will be targeted but when and how prepared your organization and users will be when the inevitable happens.

How Kaseya 365 User elevates prevention

Kaseya 365 User brings together everything you need for a modern, user-first approach to cybersecurity. With smart, proactive prevention tools, Kaseya 365 User detects risks before they become real problems. From blocking phishing attempts to minimizing credential theft, it helps reduce your vulnerability to common attacks while boosting user awareness and response time.

Kaseya 365 User helps build long-term security by identifying risky behavior, encouraging best practices and empowering your end users to make smarter decisions every day.

Here’s how Kaseya 365 User keeps you ahead of the curve:

Integrated security awareness training

Kaseya 365 User provides comprehensive training programs on data breach risks and cybersecurity best practices. These programs empower your end users to identify and stop phishing threats confidently while also supporting compliance with cyber insurance requirements and industry regulations.

When you subscribe to Kaseya 365 User, you gain access to a wide variety of engaging, multilingual training content and customizable phishing simulation kits. Built-in smart automation makes it easy to launch training and generate reports with minimal effort.

Advanced email security and anti-phishing protection

Kaseya 365 User puts advanced phishing defense at your fingertips with an AI-powered solution that protects employee inboxes from ransomware, BEC and other threats.

Our powerful phishing defense tool integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace via API. It doesn’t require any complicated setup or email rerouting, making it easy to level up your email security and stand strong against even the most sophisticated attacks.

Dark web monitoring

Kaseya 365 User continuously monitors the dark web for leaked domains, IP addresses and email accounts related to your organization, using a powerful combination of human expertise and machine intelligence. It detects compromised credentials in dark web markets and data dumps, enabling you to act before attackers do to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data. It also provides timely, actionable insights, empowering your IT team to close security gaps and boost defenses.

Strengthen end-user protection with Kasey 365 User

In an era where cybercrime has become a serious issue for organizations of all sizes, a prevention-first approach is no longer optional but essential. To stay ahead of emerging threats, your organization must shift its focus from protecting infrastructure alone to also protecting your end users who interact with it every day.

Kaseya 365 User, through its core cybersecurity components, creates a layered defense that focuses on your organization’s most vulnerable and most targeted asset: your end users.

With a Kaseya 365 User subscription, you get access to all the essential cybersecurity tools to prevent threats before they strike, respond quickly when they do slip through your defenses and recover seamlessly to keep your business running without interruption.

Learn more about Kaseya 365 User and how it can protect your business proactively.

The post Protecting Users: Prevent and Stop Cyberthreats Before They Start With Kaseya 365 User appeared first on Kaseya.

1. Eliminates costly inefficiencies related to routine work

Repetitive tasks do not generate revenue, they drain it. Every hour spent on routine maintenance is an hour not spent improving client systems, identifying upsell opportunities or expanding service offerings. This inefficiency slows response times, reduces client satisfaction and ultimately leads to higher churn rates, which negatively impacts your bottom line.

Automation solves this by eliminating the manual workload, allowing technicians to focus on high-value tasks that drive profitability. According to our upcoming 2025 Global MSP Benchmark Survey Report, nearly 60% of MSPs ranked automation, including auto-remediation of tickets, as the most valuable RMM feature.

Some of the ways automation helps cut costs and improve efficiency are:

• Fewer on-site visits and emergency calls: Automated monitoring and remediation allow for remote issue resolution, reducing infrastructure and labor costs.
• Optimized software licensing: Better resource allocation ensures that MSPs only pay for the licenses they actually need instead of overprovisioning.
• Reduce downtime-related losses: Proactive automation keeps systems up and running, reducing financial losses associated with downtime for both MSPs and their clients.
• Minimize SLA breaches and penalties: Automated alerts, patching and system optimizations help meet SLAs consistently, preventing costly service credits or contract penalties.

2. Helps you scale cost-effectively

Every new client brings more tickets, more maintenance and bigger security challenges. Without streamlined processes, the only way to keep up is to hire more technicians, which drives up payroll costs and cuts into precious profits.

Instead of expanding your team, automation helps you do more with the resources you already have. Tasks that once took hours can now be completed in minutes without constant technician intervention. This efficiency increases revenue per technician, driving higher profitability per client and improving overall margins.

The survey also found that winning new clients is the biggest challenge for MSPs in 2025, with competition making it harder to stand out. Without automation, scaling will only get tougher. By automating routine tasks, the leadership team can shift focus from daily IT operations to building a strong sales infrastructure, improving marketing efforts and expanding the client base.

Check out Kaseya’s Partner First Pledge, designed to share both the success and risk our partners experience.

3. Enables more reliable service for higher profitability

MSPs that struggle with slow response times, unresolved tickets and inconsistent service risk losing business to competitors who deliver faster, more reliable support. Frustrated clients lead to churn, negative reviews and lost revenue.

Automation makes IT support faster, more proactive and highly efficient. Instead of waiting for problems to escalate, MSPs can resolve issues instantly, often before clients even realize there is a problem. Here’s how automation helps you deliver better service and drive profitability:

• Faster resolution, happier clients: Automated IT monitoring fixes issues in real-time, reducing downtime and ticket volume. Clients enjoy seamless IT support, leading to stronger retention and fewer escalations.
• Proactive vs. reactive support: Scheduled maintenance, automated updates and AI-driven diagnostics reduce emergency fixes, lowering operational costs while improving service efficiency.
• Consistent, high-quality service: Manual processes leave room for human error and inconsistency. Automation creates standardized workflows and delivers predictable outcomes, so every client receives the same high level of service — critical for securing long-term contracts.
• Increased client referrals and upsell opportunities: Happy clients stay longer, renew contracts and recommend your MSP to others.

4. Makes security your strong suite

Security is not just another service on your roster — it is a key driver of profitability. Our MSP Benchmark Survey found that MSPs earning 15% or higher margins have advanced security services in their portfolio. However, offering cybersecurity alone is not enough. To command higher prices and scale profitably, automation is essential.

Cyberthreats are relentless, and ransomware attacks, data breaches and compliance failures can lead to devastating legal fees, regulatory fines, downtime and lost business. Worse, a single security lapse can permanently damage your reputation, making it harder to retain or attract clients.

Automation is the key to delivering strong, scalable security while keeping costs under control. Here’s how:

• Premium security equals higher margins: You can differentiate your MSP by offering advanced security solutions, like managed detection and response (MDR), AI-driven threat protection and automated compliance management, that justify higher service fees.
• Lower incident response costs: Automating patching, vulnerability scanning and endpoint protection prevents issues before they escalate, reducing the need for expensive emergency response efforts.
• Scaling without hiring a full security team: Cybersecurity expertise is expensive. Instead of hiring a team of specialists, automation enables your team to manage security at scale with AI-driven threat detection, automated response playbooks and proactive monitoring.
• Stronger compliance: Meeting security and compliance standards manually is time-consuming and expensive. Automated security tools ensure policies are enforced, logs are maintained and reports are generated instantly, helping avoid costly fines and contract breaches.

5. Empower technicians to perform and drive revenue

When technicians are buried under repetitive tasks, productivity drops, burnout sets in and top talent walks out the door. Losing skilled IT professionals is costly and disruptive, making it harder to scale your MSP.

Now, imagine a stress-free team where technicians log in to start their day and see that routine patches, updates and security scans have already run overnight. Instead of wasting time on tedious maintenance, they focus on high-impact projects that strengthen client relationships, improve service quality and create new revenue opportunities.

Automation frees technicians to do their best work and actively contribute to business growth. Here’s how:

• Lower stress, fewer mistakes: Automating routine tasks reduces errors, prevents downtime and helps meet SLAs effortlessly.
• More time for high-value work: Technicians can focus on strategic initiatives, security improvements and proactive client support instead of endless troubleshooting.
• Increased revenue potential: A technician who is not overwhelmed with busy work can spot upsell opportunities, recommend security enhancements and drive service expansions — turning IT support into a profit center.

Scale and save with Kaseya 365 Endpoint

You don’t need multiple tools or a complicated strategy to achieve everything we just covered. One solution does it all. Kaseya 365 Endpoint gives you everything you need to manage, secure, back up and automate your endpoints, all under a single subscription. By consolidating tools into one powerful platform, you reduce licensing costs, eliminate manual inefficiencies and lighten the administrative workload. With up to 70% cost savings, your MSP is set up for success — less stress, more control and the confidence todominate your market. Click here to know more about Kaseya 365 Endpoint.

The post Top 5 Ways Automation Increases Profitability appeared first on Kaseya.

NIST is globally recognised for its comprehensive Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), a benchmark for managing cybersecurity risks. On the other hand, Essential Eight, developed by the ACSC, outlines eight key strategies that establish a baseline security framework to mitigate common threats.

While NIST is widely implemented across industries in the United States and has broad applicability worldwide, Essential Eight is tailored to the needs of organisations in Australia and New Zealand. Let’s explore how these frameworks can streamline compliance efforts and enhance your organisation’s cybersecurity.

What is NIST?

The NIST CSF, established by the U.S. Department of Commerce, is one of the most trusted standards for managing cybersecurity risks. First introduced in 2014 in response to an executive order to strengthen critical infrastructure security, it has grown into a global benchmark for best practices thanks to its flexibility and scalability. The latest Version 2.0 was released on February 26, 2024.

NIST CSF takes a risk-based approach, a strategy that helps organisations focus on the most pressing threats. By addressing the highest-risk areas first, organisations can allocate resources more effectively and minimise potential impacts. Instead of applying uniform measures across all areas, this approach focuses on identifying vulnerabilities, prioritising responses and aligning security efforts with business goals.

Core NIST CSF functions

The framework is built around five primary functions that outline the critical activities required to achieve comprehensive cybersecurity:

• Identify: Gain a clear understanding of your organisation’s critical assets, including data, systems and infrastructure, to determine what is at risk. This involves assessing potential vulnerabilities, mapping system dependencies and recognizing external threats that could impact operations.
• Protect: Establish safeguards to secure critical systems and data. This includes implementing access controls, encryption, employee training and other proactive measures to prevent unauthorised access or misuse.
• Detect: Set up monitoring and detection systems to identify potential cybersecurity events or unusual activities in real-time. These mechanisms help uncover threats early, allowing for faster responses.
• Respond: Create and implement a detailed response plan to address identified threats or breaches. This includes clearly defining roles, communication strategies and actions to mitigate an incident’s impact.
• Recover: Develop strategies to restore operations following a cybersecurity event quickly. This involves data restoration, system recovery, and evaluating the effectiveness of a response to improve future preparedness.

Key industries and applications

NIST CSF is widely adopted across industries due to its adaptability and comprehensive approach. Key sectors include:

• Government and defences: Mandated by federal regulations, NIST is crucial role in securing national security assets and critical infrastructure.
• Healthcare: Ensures compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, protecting patient data and maintaining its confidentiality and integrity.
• Finance: Helps financial institutions manage risks, safeguard sensitive information and secure transactions.
• Energy: Protects vital infrastructure, such as power grids and pipelines, from potential cyberattacks.
• Technology and telecommunications: Adopted by IT service providers and software vendors to meet global compliance standards and enhance security practices.
• Education: Protects sensitive student and institutional data from breaches, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations and maintaining trust in academic systems.
• Retail: Secures payment processing systems, customer information and supply chain data, helping retailers mitigate risks like data breaches and payment fraud.
• Manufacturing: Protects operational technology, proprietary designs and intellectual property from cyberattacks, ensuring continuity in production and safeguarding competitive advantages.

NIST’s broad applicability and detailed guidelines make it an invaluable tool for organisations aiming to establish a strong cybersecurity foundation. 

What is Essential Eight?

The Essential Eight, developed by Australia’s leading authority on cybersecurity, the ACSC, was created to tackle the rising threat of cyberattacks. Formed to strengthen Australia’s digital infrastructure, Essential Eight provides businesses with clear, actionable steps to secure IT environments, mitigate vulnerabilities and minimise the impact of cyber incidents.

Recognising that many organisations, particularly small and midsize enterprises (SMEs), struggle to implement complex cybersecurity frameworks, the ACSC designed Essential Eight to combat frequent and preventable threats. These include ransomware, data breaches and phishing attacks, which pose significant risks to organisations of all sizes.

The framework focuses on eight core strategies that help businesses establish a baseline level of protection, ensure critical assets are safeguarded and simplify compliance requirements.

The Eight Core Strategies

These eight strategies target common vulnerabilities and are designed to mitigate risks effectively. They are:

• Application whitelisting: Only allow trusted applications to run on systems, preventing malicious software from executing.
• Patch applications: Regularly update software to fix vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit.
• Configure macros: Restrict the use of macros in documents is a common source of malware infections.
• Restrict administrative privileges: Limit access to administrative accounts to reduce the potential impact of compromised credentials.
• Patch operating systems: Keep operating systems up to date to protect against known security issues.
• Multifactor authentication (MFA): Implement MFA to enhance login security by requiring multiple forms of verification.
• Daily backups: Perform regular backups of critical data to ensure recovery in the event of data loss or ransomware attacks.
• User application hardening: Disable unnecessary features, such as Flash or Java, to reduce the attack surface.

Focus on Australian and New Zealand businesses

The Essential Eight is particularly relevant for businesses in Australia and New Zealand, where cybersecurity awareness is growing alongside the rising threat of cyberattacks. Essential Eight’s localised approach sets it apart, addressing the unique cybersecurity challenges organisations face in these countries. At the same time, it aligns with global cybersecurity standards, ensuring businesses in the region can protect themselves effectively while meeting broader expectations. This combination of practicality and adaptability has made it a trusted choice for improving cybersecurity across various sectors.

Additional Reading: Top Compliance Standards and the Differences Between Them: SOC 2, ISO 27001, NIST and PCI DSS

Key differences between NIST and Essential Eight

While both NIST and Essential Eight aim to enhance cybersecurity, their approaches and applications differ significantly. Below is a comparative summary of the two frameworks.

Similarities between NIST and Essential Eight

Although NIST and Essential Eight are distinct frameworks tailored to different regions and needs, they share several core principles. These similarities highlight their shared commitment to improving cybersecurity and reducing risks for organisations.

Risk management as a cornerstone

Both frameworks emphasise the importance of risk management in cybersecurity. They guide organisations in identifying potential threats, assessing vulnerabilities and prioritising actions to mitigate risks effectively.

Shared principles of protection, detection and response

NIST and Essential Eight both prioritise the essential activities of protecting systems, detecting threats and responding effectively to incidents. NIST organises cybersecurity principles into broad core functions, like protection, guiding organisations to implement measures systematically as part of a larger framework. Essential Eight, in contrast, provides specific, actionable steps like enabling MFA or performing daily backups, making it quicker for businesses to address immediate risks.

Overlapping requirements

Both frameworks address common cybersecurity practices, including:

• Patch management: Regularly updating software and operating systems to close security gaps.
• Access control: Restricting user privileges to reduce unauthorised access risks.
• Incident response planning: Establishing protocols for efficiently managing and recovering from security breaches.

Improved security posture and risk mitigation

Both frameworks aim to enhance organisational security and minimise the impact of cyberthreats. By implementing their guidelines, organisations can create a robust security environment that proactively addresses vulnerabilities and ensures continuity during incidents.

Best practices for adhering to both NIST and Essential Eight

Adhering to NIST and Essential Eight can be a powerful way to build a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. By combining the strengths of both frameworks, IT professionals can effectively address vulnerabilities and maintain operational resilience. Here are practical steps for aligning with both standards:

Risk assessment and baseline establishment

NIST’s approach focuses on identifying risks and monitoring for potential attacks. The framework emphasises early detection to prevent or minimise damage. Essential Eight’s approach prioritises remediating risks and responding to vulnerabilities as soon as they’ve been identified.

Best Practice: Use NIST guidelines to establish a risk management process that detects and assesses threats early. Apply Essential Eight’s actionable strategies to address vulnerabilities immediately and reinforce security controls.

Patch management

Patching is a core requirement for both NIST and Essential Eight. It ensures that vulnerabilities in software and operating systems are resolved promptly.

Best practice: Automate the patching process to save time, reduce errors and ensure compliance. Regularly update both applications and operating systems to close security gaps and prevent exploitation.

Access control and privilege management

Both frameworks emphasise restricting user access to reduce the attack surface.

Best Practice: Implement MFA to secure account access and adopt least privilege policies, granting users only the permissions necessary for their roles. This minimises the impact of compromised credentials.

Incident response

NIST’s Response and Recovery functions provide a robust framework for planning, containing and recovering from security incidents. Essential Eight strategies reinforce incident response with regular backups and privilege restrictions to limit damage.

Best practice: Combine the strengths of both frameworks by using NIST’s detailed guidelines to build incident response plans and Essential Eight’s specific strategies (e.g., daily backups) to ensure quick recovery.

Additional Reading: 5 Tips for Incident Response Plan

Automation

Automation plays a crucial role in effectively implementing NIST and Essential Eight strategies. It simplifies compliance and enhances an organisation’s ability to stay ahead of evolving risks.

• Use automation tools to continuously monitor systems for compliance with both NIST and Essential Eight standards, such as tracking access controls, system updates and security configurations.
• Automate routine security checks and patch management to minimise the risk of vulnerabilities, ensuring systems are always up to date with minimal manual intervention.
• Implement automated remediation processes to respond quickly to vulnerabilities or detected threats, reducing downtime and minimising potential damage.

By combining NIST’s focus on proactive monitoring with Essential Eight’s actionable strategies, organisations can create a streamlined, efficient approach to cybersecurity that is both practical and comprehensive.

Additional Reading: Maximize Efficiency With Kaseya 365’s Automation Power

How Kaseya 365 simplifies compliance through automation

For IT professionals, managing compliance while maintaining a strong cybersecurity posture can feel like juggling competing priorities. The constant need to address risks, adhere to regulations and respond to threats often overwhelms teams. This is where Kaseya 365 transforms the game, using automation to simplify compliance and streamline security management.

Kaseya 365 has two configurations — Kaseya 365 Endpoint and Kaseya 365 User.

Kaseya 365 Endpoint

Kaseya 365 Endpoint provides everything needed to manage, secure, backup and automate endpoints under a single subscription. From ensuring consistent patching to enforcing security policies, Kaseya 365 Endpoint helps organisations maintain compliance effortlessly.

• Compliance Advantages: Automatically apply and track updates, enforce endpoint policies and generate compliance reports, reducing the risk of missed requirements.
• Automation Perks:  It automates routine tasks like patch management, threat detection and system monitoring, freeing up IT teams to focus on higher-priority tasks.

Kaseya 365 User

Kaseya 365 User is tailored to prevent, respond to and recover from user-based threats through tools like anti-phishing, security awareness training, simulation and testing and dark web monitoring.

• Compliance Advantages: Automates user training and testing schedules to meet regulatory requirements for cybersecurity awareness and threat preparedness.
• Automation Perks: Delivers ongoing security awareness programs and actively monitors user vulnerabilities, ensuring proactive protection with minimal manual oversight.

Together, the Endpoint and User configurations provide a unified, automated approach to compliance, empowering IT teams to maintain a strong security posture while eliminating the complexity of manual processes. With Kaseya 365, compliance becomes seamless, proactive and efficient.

Benefits of using Kaseya 365

Kaseya 365 integrates critical IT management tools into a single platform, leveraging automation to handle repetitive and resource-intensive tasks easily.  Automation ensures that essential compliance and security measures are implemented consistently, minimising human error and saving valuable time. Here’s how automation in Kaseya 365 helps align with NIST and Essential Eight:

• Reduced manual workload for IT teams: Automation eliminates repetitive tasks, enabling IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives and reducing burnout.
• Real-time monitoring: Automated tools continuously monitor systems for vulnerabilities and compliance gaps, ensuring issues are flagged before they escalate.
• Compliance reporting: Generate detailed compliance reports at the click of a button, simplifying audits and reducing the manual effort involved in tracking adherence to NIST and Essential Eight standards.
• Patch management: Keeps applications and operating systems updated automatically, meeting NIST’s risk mitigation guidelines and Essential Eight’s patching requirements.
• Incident response: Pre-built response playbooks automate containment and recovery actions during security incidents, ensuring rapid and effective remediation.
• Enhanced efficiency through centralization: Combines IT management tasks into one platform, streamlining workflows, reducing redundancy and boosting productivity.
• Scalability across regions and industries: Kaseya 365 is adaptable to businesses of all sizes and designed to meet the needs of organisations operating in Australia, New Zealand and beyond.

By leveraging these benefits, Kaseya 365 transforms compliance and cybersecurity into manageable, efficient processes for organisations.

Additional Reading: Break Free From Your IT Groundhog Day: Top Tasks to Automate

The future of compliance made simple

Understanding frameworks like NIST and Essential Eight is essential for building a strong cybersecurity foundation, but managing compliance doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With its unified approach and automation-driven features, Kaseya 365 simplifies compliance and strengthens security across your organisations. Take the first step toward seamless IT management and enhanced protection. Book a demo of Kaseya 365 today.

The post NIST vs Essential Eight: Compliance Standards for IT Professionals Made Easy appeared first on Kaseya.

The introduction of Collision-Free Ticketing and Cooper Copilot brings powerful features designed to streamline workflows, improve accuracy and enhance service delivery — all at no additional cost. Together, they represent a significant leap forward, enabling IT teams to work smarter and faster. Here’s everything you need to know about these game-changing features.

Collision-Free Ticketing: Smoother workflows, zero overlap

Handling service tickets is a critical function for any IT team, but overlapping efforts often lead to inefficiencies and user confusion. Collision-Free Ticketing addresses this pain point by ensuring that your team is always aligned and informed.

Key Benefits:

• Real-time collaboration alerts: The system intuitively displays when another technician is viewing the same ticket, preventing duplicate work or overwritten updates. This ensures efforts are not wasted and resources are effectively utilized. Technicians no longer need to worry about stepping on each other’s toes while working on the same issue.
• Instant change notifications: Any modifications made to a ticket’s fields are immediately visible to other users accessing the same ticket, maintaining data integrity and avoiding miscommunication. This minimizes the risk of conflicting updates and ensures everyone is on the same page.
• User response awareness: If an end user adds a note or responds to the ticket while a technician is drafting a reply, the system ensures the latest updates are visible before the response is sent. This avoids redundant responses and maintains professionalism in communication, fostering better relationships with users.

By eliminating unnecessary overlaps and improving communication between team members, Collision-Free Ticketing streamlines ticket resolution and enhances customer satisfaction.

Cooper Copilot: AI-powered assistance for technicians

AI is reshaping industries, and Kaseya is bringing this transformative technology to its PSA solutions with Cooper Copilot. Designed specifically for BMS and Vorex, this AI assistant empowers technicians with tools to deliver faster, more accurate service while easing the cognitive load of complex tasks.

Cooper Copilot’s core features:

1. Smart Ticket Summary

   Technicians often lose valuable time navigating lengthy email chains to understand an issue. With AI-generated summaries, Smart Ticket Summary provides concise overviews of email threads or escalations, highlighting key details and actionable next steps. This allows technicians to focus on resolving issues efficiently without getting bogged down in unnecessary reading.

2. Smart Writing Assistant

   Communicating technical details clearly to end users can be challenging. The Smart Writing Assistant helps technicians craft clear, professional and user-friendly responses, ensuring updates are both accurate and easy to understand. By enhancing communication, this tool fosters trust and clarity while maintaining a polished, professional tone.

3. Smart Resolution Summary

   Documenting resolution steps manually is often tedious and time-consuming. Smart Resolution Summary automates this process, capturing detailed resolution steps to build a knowledge base for future reference. This feature not only accelerates problem-solving for individual technicians but also boosts team-wide collaboration and efficiency over time.

Cooper Copilot leverages state-of-the-art large language models (LLMs) to interpret human language with remarkable speed and accuracy. This capability equips technicians with insights that improve their efficiency and customer interactions, making AI an indispensable part of the IT workflow.

Why these features matter

Kaseya’s introduction of Collision-Free Ticketing and Cooper Copilot underscores its dedication to enabling IT professionals to do more with less effort. These tools simplify day-to-day operations, reduce errors and empower teams to focus on delivering exceptional service. Importantly, they’re included at no additional cost, providing immediate value without straining budgets.

A new standard for PSA tools

With the addition of these features, BMS and Vorex solidify their status as industry-leading solutions for IT professionals. Whether it’s preventing ticketing missteps or harnessing AI to streamline resolutions, Kaseya continues to deliver tools that redefine productivity and user satisfaction.

For IT teams looking to elevate their service desk performance, the message is clear: innovation doesn’t have to come at a premium. Collision-Free Ticketing and Cooper Copilot are here to transform the way you work — efficiently, seamlessly and affordably.

The post Kaseya Delivers More Value to BMS and Vorex Users With AI-Powered Features at No Additional Cost appeared first on Kaseya.

A highlight of Fred’s keynote was the announcement of Kaseya’s latest acquisition, SaaS Alerts, which marks Kaseya’s entry into the future of Cloud Detection and Response and plays a critical role in Kaseya 365 User.

SaaS Alerts has transformed user protection with machine learning pattern detection that identifies breaches, generates instant alerts and locks out affected accounts instantaneously. Its innovative technology safeguards every user you manage from SaaS-based security threats 24/7. With SaaS Alerts you can monitor and remediate any potential threat to critical SaaS business applications or users in real time to ensure critical business applications are safe from internal and external threats. 

Best of all, SaaS Alerts is included with a Kaseya 365 User subscription!

Expanding Profitability One MSP at a Time

The initial launch of Kaseya 365 in April 2024 ignited a seismic shift in the MSP industry, allowing MSPs to finally reap the rewards they deserve as the unsung heroes of our global economy. Kaseya 365 User further elevates MSP profitability by providing a standardized offering, AI-powered automation and a Powered by Kaseya brand promise.

As part of the next edition of Kaseya 365, the initial subscription for managing, securing and backing up all endpoints has been aptly updated to Kaseya 365 Endpoint. The two unique subscriptions — Kaseya 365 Endpoint and Kaseya 365 User — offer distinct yet deeply integrated functionalities.

Like Kaseya 365 Endpoint, Kaseya 365 User is priced to empower MSPs with immediate and effortless profit margin growth.

Kaseya 365 User Features 5 Key Components

Kaseya 365 User consists of five key components each of which align to a Kaseya module and speak to the three core pillars of prevention, response and recovery.

• Dark Web Monitoring: Dark Web ID scans the dark web for compromised user credentials, providing the information you need to proactively prevent an attack or breach. 
• User Awareness Training + Testing: BullPhish ID trains and tests users to ensure they have the education and skills needed to identify, and thus prevent, a potential attack.
• Anti-phishing Defense: Graphusidentifies and blocks suspicious emails by removing them and preventing damage before they reach users.
• Cloud Detection + Response: SaaS Alerts automatically detects and remediates security breaches in SaaS applications, responding to suspicious behavior with immediate action.
• SaaS Backup: Datto SaaS Protection or Spanning make it easy to recover the most recent version of your encrypted or damaged cloud-based critical business data, should an attack occur. 

Learn more about Kaseya 365 User.

The post Introducing Kaseya 365 User: Going Beyond the Endpoint With SaaS Alerts & Kaseya 365 User appeared first on Kaseya.

To stay compliant, businesses rely on key standards like SOC 2, ISO 27001, NIST and PCI DSS, which offer essential guidelines for meeting regulatory requirements. In this blog, we’ll break down these compliance frameworks, explore their differences and explain how they help organizations meet their compliance needs.

Top compliance frameworks

With cyberthreats becoming increasingly advanced over the years, more stringent regulations have been implemented to mitigate their risks. These regulations play a key role in keeping data safe, protecting customer information and building trust in today’s complex digital world.

Let’s take a quick look at the four major compliance frameworks that IT professionals follow:

• System and Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2): This standard focuses on managing customer data by following five principles — security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy.
• International Organization for Standardization 27001 (ISO 27001): An international standard that helps organizations manage information security. It provides a framework for creating, implementing, maintaining and improving an information security management system (ISMS).
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): This offers a set of security guidelines originally for government agencies but is now widely used by private organizations to enhance their cybersecurity practices.
• Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS): This standard ensures that companies processing, storing or transmitting credit card information maintain a secure environment to protect against fraud and data breaches.

With the right tools and systems, IT professionals can simplify compliance, automate audits and manage multiple frameworks more easily. This helps maintain ongoing compliance and quickly address any issues, allowing teams to focus on innovation and growth while staying secure and aligned with regulations.

Note: Regulation and Compliance Updates Every IT Professional Needs to Know

SOC 2: Protecting customer data with rigorous security controls

SOC 2 is a must-have compliance standard for any organization that handles customer data, so let’s examine it more closely.

What is SOC 2?

Developed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), SOC 2 is a set of compliance criteria focused on how organizations manage and protect customer data. It ensures that businesses have proper processes in place to safeguard sensitive information and meet strict security standards.

Purpose: SOC 2 is based on five key principles that guide how data should be managed:

• Security: It ensures systems are protected against unauthorized access, covering measures like firewalls, encryption and multifactor authentication.
• Availability: It guarantees systems remain accessible as per service-level agreements (SLAs), with backup solutions, disaster recovery and monitoring in place to minimize downtime.
• Processing integrity: It ensures data is processed accurately, completely and promptly, reducing the risk of errors or data corruption.
• Confidentiality: Enforces strict controls so that only authorized individuals can access sensitive data. This includes access controls, encryption and secure data disposal when no longer needed.
• Privacy: Ensures personal data is collected, used and shared in line with the organization’s privacy policies and regulations, such as GDPR or CCPA, throughout its entire lifecycle.

What SOC 2 aims to accomplish

SOC 2 is designed to help organizations across industries achieve the following key goals:

• Data protection: SOC 2 ensures strong safeguards are in place to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access or breaches. It also guarantees that systems remain available and maintain data integrity, so businesses can meet operational demands without disruption.
• Privacy: It enforces strict controls to ensure customer data is handled responsibly. This includes restricting access to sensitive information, ensuring it is used only for its intended purpose, and securely disposing of it when no longer needed.
• Trust: Demonstrating SOC 2 compliance shows clients and partners that a business is committed to protecting their data. This builds trust and credibility, reassuring stakeholders that their information is secure.

Who follows SOC 2?

SOC 2 is commonly followed by:

• SaaS providers: Software-as-a-Service companies that handle user data.
• Cloud computing companies: Organizations that provide cloud-based services and manage customer information.
• Any business storing customer data in the cloud: Including hosting providers, managed service providers and third-party vendors.

ISO 27001: Setting the global standard for information security management

ISO 27001 is a globally recognized standard that provides a clear framework for managing information security. Here’s a simple breakdown:

What is ISO 27001?

ISO 27001 is an international standard that outlines the requirements for creating, maintaining and improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS). It helps organizations identify, assess and manage security risks in a structured way.

Purpose: The goal of ISO 27001 is to help organizations evaluate potential threats to their information systems and put security measures in place that align with their business objectives, such as maintaining productivity, protecting intellectual property and building customer trust. By aligning security measures with these goals, businesses can better allocate resources and balance risk management with growth.

What ISO 27001 aims to accomplish

ISO 27001 is designed to help organizations achieve the following goals:

• Systematic security management
  • Policy development: Establish clear policies for how information is managed, shared and protected.
  • Implementation of controls: Use technical, administrative and physical controls to protect information from threats.
  • Ongoing monitoring and review: Regularly audit and review security practices to keep the ISMS effective and up to date.
• Risk management
  • Risk assessment: Regularly identify and evaluate threats to information systems.
  • Risk treatment: Implement security measures to mitigate or eliminate risks.
  • Prioritization: Focus on the most critical risks based on their potential impact.
  • Incident response planning: Develop a plan to handle security incidents quickly to minimize damage.
  • Continuous monitoring: Keep an eye on emerging threats and update security strategies as needed.

Who follows ISO 27001?

ISO 27001 is commonly followed by:

• Multinational corporations: Large global companies looking to standardize their security practices across multiple locations and jurisdictions.
• Financial institutions: Banks, insurance companies and other financial services that handle vast amounts of sensitive customer and transaction data.
• Organizations with global reach: Any business that needs to meet international security standards, especially those handling critical data or operating in highly regulated industries.

NIST Cybersecurity Framework: U.S. government standards for security

The NIST CSF offers clear guidelines to help organizations improve their cybersecurity. Here’s what it covers:

What is NIST?

NIST is a voluntary framework created by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. It provides a structured way for organizations to manage and reduce cybersecurity risks, with the flexibility to tailor it to their specific needs.

Focus: NIST CSF provides best practices for identifying and managing vulnerabilities, strengthening security systems and building resilience. This helps businesses protect their data and systems from potential cyberattacks.

What NIST aims to accomplish

NIST CSF is designed to help organizations across industries achieve the following goals:

• Identify: Understand the assets, data and systems at risk.
• Protect: Implement safeguards to ensure critical infrastructure and data are secured.
• Detect: Put mechanisms in place to identify potential cybersecurity events.
• Respond: Develop plans to react to detected security breaches or incidents.
• Recover: Enable quick recovery from cybersecurity incidents to minimize damage and downtime.

Who follows NIST?

NIST is widely adopted by:

• Government agencies: Used extensively by U.S. government bodies to protect sensitive data and systems from cyberthreats.
• Defense contractors: Defense and aerospace companies rely on NIST standards to meet strict cybersecurity requirements.
• Highly regulated industries: Sectors such as finance, healthcare and critical infrastructure that require strong security protocols often turn to NIST for guidance.

PCI DSS: Payment card industry data security standard

The PCI DSS sets important guidelines to ensure businesses that handle credit card information maintain a secure environment. Here’s a breakdown:

What is PCI DSS?

PCI DSS is a set of security standards designed to protect payment card data. It applies to any business that processes, stores or transmits credit card information, ensuring they have the proper security measures in place to keep payment data safe.

Focus: These standards cover key areas like network security, encryption, monitoring and incident response to protect cardholder data throughout every stage of a transaction.

What PCI DSS aims to accomplish

PCI DSS is designed to help businesses:

• Protect cardholder data: Securely store and handle credit card information, ensuring that data is encrypted, protected and only accessible by authorized personnel.
• Prevent fraud and breaches: Reduce the risk of data breaches and fraud by enforcing strict security controls for all systems involved in processing payment information.
• Maintain a secure payment environment: Establish a secure, compliant environment for handling transactions, reducing the likelihood of payment fraud.

Who follows PCI DSS?

PCI DSS is commonly adopted by:

• E-commerce companies: Online businesses that handle digital payments rely on PCI DSS to secure customer payment data.
• Retail businesses: Brick-and-mortar stores that accept credit card payments must follow PCI DSS to protect transactions and customer information.
• Financial institutions: Banks, payment processors and credit card companies use PCI DSS to ensure the safe handling of payment data.
• Any business handling credit card transactions: Whether online or in person, any organization that deals with credit card payments needs to comply with PCI DSS.

Key differences between SOC 2, ISO 27001, NIST and PCI DSS

This table highlights how these standards differ in terms of focus, scope and certification processes, helping organizations choose the right framework based on their needs.

How Kaseya can help simplify your compliance journey

Navigating the complexities of compliance can be challenging for any organization, but Kaseya offers integrated tools designed to streamline the process, ensuring your business meets the requirements of frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, NIST and PCI DSS easily.

Kaseya’s Compliance Manager GRC is a powerful tool that automates many of the time-consuming tasks involved in compliance. It helps IT professionals manage risk assessments, policy creation and compliance reporting with ease. By automating these processes, Compliance Manager GRC reduces the burden of meeting compliance requirements, making it simpler to stay aligned with various frameworks.

For businesses operating within Microsoft 365 environments, Kaseya 365 offers an all-in-one solution to unify data security and compliance. It provides continuous monitoring, management, and protection of critical cloud data, helping ensure that your organization remains compliant while also safeguarding sensitive information.

Drive growth with Kaseya’s powerful tools

With Kaseya’s tools, managing compliance becomes much easier. You can streamline the entire process, reduce the complexity of handling multiple frameworks and focus on growing your business without sacrificing security. Schedule a demo of Compliance Manager GRC and Kaseya 365 today to see how these solutions can simplify your compliance efforts and help you meet your security goals.

The post Top Compliance Standards and the Differences Between Them: SOC 2, ISO 27001, NIST and PCI DSS appeared first on Kaseya.

What is ransomware-as-a-service?

Ransomware-as-a-service is a business model where cybercriminals develop ransomware and sell or lease it to affiliates, who then use the software to carry out attacks on targets of their choice. This model has significantly lowered the entry barrier for cybercriminals, enabling even those with minimal technical skills to launch sophisticated ransomware campaigns.

Although RaaS has been around for a while, it started gaining traction in the mid-2010s as cybercriminals realized the profitability and scalability of offering ransomware tools as a service. Cybercriminals began offering ransomware toolkits on dark web marketplaces, making it easier for less skilled individuals to launch ransomware attacks. The practice transformed ransomware from isolated attacks by individual hackers into a large-scale criminal business model.

This business model is structured similarly to legitimate software-as-a-service (SaaS) offerings, complete with subscription-based services, user-friendly interfaces and even customer support. RaaS allowed cybercriminals to create recurring revenue streams, and by 2020, ransomware attacks had generated an estimated $20 billion in global losses.

Uncover 10 powerful cybersecurity spells to banish ransomware threats and keep your network safe from digital scares.

How does RaaS differ from traditional ransomware?

Traditionally, ransomware attacks are typically carried out by the developers themselves. They handle everything from creating malware to executing the attack and collecting the ransom. In contrast, RaaS separates these roles. Developers create the ransomware and provide it to affiliates, who then carry out the attacks. This division allows for more attacks to occur simultaneously, increasing the overall impact.

How does ransomware-as-a-service work?

The RaaS model has quickly become one of the most dangerous trends in the cybersecurity world. By lowering the technical barrier to entry, it has allowed even amateur cybercriminals to launch sophisticated ransomware attacks with minimal effort. The service operates through a structured process involving four key steps:

1. Ransomware development: Skilled cybercriminals or ransomware developers create sophisticated ransomware software designed to evade security systems and cause maximum damage. These developers continuously improve their malware to bypass evolving security measures. Prominent RaaS examples include REvil, DarkSide and LockBit, which have caused global ransomware incidents.
2. Affiliate recruiting: Once the ransomware is developed, the creators recruit affiliates via dark web forums, encrypted messaging apps or private forums. These platforms operate like a criminal marketplace. Affiliates, often referred to as “partners” or “networkers,” may pay a one-time fee or a subscription fee or agree to share a percentage of the ransom profits with the developers. RaaS affiliates pay a recurring fee — sometimes as little as $40 per month — for access to ransomware tools. For instance, RaaS operations like Avaddon offer affiliates up to 80% of the profits, depending on the service model.
3. Ransomware execution: Affiliates then handle the distribution of the ransomware. They employ various techniques, such as phishing emails, malicious downloads or exploiting security vulnerabilities, to infect a victim’s system. Once the malware infiltrates a network, it encrypts critical data, rendering it inaccessible to the victim until a ransom is paid. Notably, attacks by RaaS operators, such as DarkSide, led to high-profile incidents, like the Colonial Pipeline attack, which resulted in the company paying nearly $5 million in ransom.
4. Payment and/or profit-sharing: After encryption, victims are directed to pay a ransom, typically in cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, in exchange for decryption keys. This anonymity makes tracking and prosecuting cybercriminals much harder. The profits are then split between the affiliate and the developer according to their agreement, with affiliates often taking a larger share. Some RaaS platforms even offer 24/7 support to their affiliates, making the process more streamlined and profitable​.

Who are the typical targets of RaaS attacks?

While RaaS attacks can affect any organization, some types of targets are more frequently hit due to their specific vulnerabilities:

• Small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs): Attackers know that smaller businesses are less likely to have comprehensive defenses, such as endpoint protection or intrusion detection systems, making them vulnerable.
• Critical infrastructure: Sectors like energy, utilities, transportation and water management are targeted because disrupting these systems can cause widespread chaos, and organizations in these sectors may be willing to pay ransom quickly.
• Healthcare organizations: Hospitals and healthcare providers are prime targets due to the sensitive nature of the data they hold. The healthcare sector has seen a surge in ransomware attacks, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, where interruptions could put lives at risk.
• Organizations with outdated security protocols: Companies that fail to update software regularly, install patches or improve their security systems are easy targets. Vulnerabilities in old systems are well-known to cybercriminals, making these organizations low-hanging fruit for RaaS affiliates.
• Educational institutions: Schools and universities often operate on tight budgets, making security improvements difficult. In addition, they rely heavily on online platforms, increasing their attack surface.
• Financial services: Banks, investment firms and insurance companies are appealing to cybercriminals because the stolen information can be sold on the dark web or used to commit financial fraud.

Concerned that your network might be at risk? Watch our on-demand webinar to discover how to leverage your RMM solution to defend against ransomware threats effectively.

What are real-life examples of ransomware-as-a-service?

Several RaaS groups have made headlines for their devastating and widespread attacks:

DarkSide

DarkSide emerged in 2020 and quickly gained notoriety for targeting large corporations. The group is most infamous for orchestrating the Colonial Pipeline attack, which caused fuel shortages across the United States. DarkSide employs a tactic known as double extortion, where they not only encrypt data but also threaten to leak it unless the ransom is paid, adding another layer of pressure on their victims.

LockBit

LockBit has been active since 2019 and is distinguished by its emphasis on speed and automation in ransomware deployment. The group made headlines when it targeted Accenture, a major consulting and professional services firm. LockBit’s self-spreading capabilities enable it to infect systems rapidly, making it particularly effective and dangerous.

REvil

REvil, also known as Ransomware Evil, has become infamous for its involvement in several high-profile attacks. One of the most notable incidents was its attack on JBS Foods, the world’s largest meat processor, which disrupted global food supply chains. REvil is known for demanding exorbitant ransoms, sometimes exceeding $40 million, and it often targets major enterprises.

Conti

Since 2020, Conti has been linked to over 400 attacks globally, demonstrating its operational scope. A key incident involving Conti was its attack on Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE), which severely impacted healthcare services. Conti is recognized for its fast encryption process and its use of highly targeted phishing emails to infiltrate networks, making it a persistent threat.

What has contributed to ransomware-as-a-service growth?

Several key factors have contributed to the rise of RaaS, making it one of the most profitable and pervasive cybercrime models today:

• Lowered barriers to entry: The RaaS model allows individuals with minimal technical expertise to participate in ransomware attacks by simply purchasing or subscribing to ransomware kits developed by skilled cybercriminals. These tools come with user-friendly interfaces, support systems and updates, making it easier than ever for non-experts to execute sophisticated cyberattacks.
• High profitability: Ransomware attacks often result in substantial ransom demands, typically ranging from tens of thousands to millions of dollars. The potential for large payouts with minimal overhead costs has made RaaS highly attractive to cybercriminals.  
• Anonymity: The use of cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, for ransom payments, combined with encrypted communication channels on the darknet, makes it incredibly difficult for law enforcement to track cybercriminals and affiliates. This level of anonymity enables attackers to operate with relative impunity, lowering the risk of prosecution. Even when individual affiliates are caught, the decentralized nature of RaaS makes it difficult to dismantle the entire operation.
• Global reach: RaaS platforms can be marketed and distributed worldwide, meaning that cybercriminals are not restricted to geographic boundaries. This global reach exponentially increases the number of potential targets, from small businesses to large multinational corporations.
• Lack of adequate security measures: Many organizations still fail to update their security protocols regularly, leaving their systems vulnerable to attack. Outdated software, weak passwords and a lack of comprehensive cybersecurity policies create gaps that RaaS affiliates can easily exploit.
• High profitability with minimal risk: RaaS offers high profitability with relatively low risk. The decentralized nature of RaaS operations allows developers to stay insulated from direct involvement in attacks, while affiliates bear the brunt of the risk by distributing the ransomware. Even if one affiliate is caught, the larger operation continues, making it a resilient and sustainable business model for cybercriminals.

How to stop ransomware-as-a-service

Protecting your organization from RaaS involves a multilayered security approach:

• Patch Management and Software Updates: Regularly updating software fixes vulnerabilities and reduces the risk of breaches. Automated patch management tools ensure timely updates and minimize exposure to threats.
• Endpoint Protection and Security: Installing strong antivirus and antimalware solutions helps block malicious software. Firewalls and intrusion detection systems add extra security by monitoring and controlling network traffic.
• Threat Detection and Response: Continuous network monitoring identifies suspicious activities early. Having an incident response plan ensures swift action to minimize damage from breaches.
• Security Awareness Training: Educating employees on phishing and safe online practices reduces human error. Regular training and simulations reinforce this knowledge, helping to prevent attacks.
• Data Backup and Recovery: Regular backups protect critical data from loss. Storing backups offline or in secure cloud services ensures they remain safe from infection or attacks.

When it comes to fighting ransomware, investing in individual, siloed solutions can lead to gaps in security, inefficiency and extra costs. IT teams need integrated systems that seamlessly manage security, endpoints and operations from a single platform. Kaseya 365 offers exactly that — a unified solution that covers all the essential needs of an IT team. In the event of a cybersecurity attack, Kaseya 365’s automation and powerful integrations enable technicians to quickly isolate, quarantine and resolve the issue, effectively neutralizing ransomware threats in real-time.

Automatically detect and prevent RaaS attacks with Kaseya 365

Kaseya 365 simplifies IT management by combining endpoint management, backup, security and automation into one powerful, affordable platform. With features like automated patch management, ransomware detection and antivirus, it ensures your systems stay secure and up to date. Additionally, Kaseya 365 proactively safeguards your Microsoft 365 data with automated backup and recovery, minimizing downtime and mitigating the impact of ransomware attacks.

For those needing advanced protection, the Pro version includes endpoint detection and response (EDR) for an extra layer of defense against sophisticated threats.

At the heart of Kaseya 365 is Kaseya VSA, a robust and versatile remote monitoring and management (RMM) tool that automates critical tasks like patch management and ransomware detection. This allows you to manage your IT environment effortlessly, ensuring security and efficiency. Check out this on-demand webinar to learn how VSA can help fortify your defenses.

Strengthen your defenses and give your IT team peace of mind. Take a demo today and see how Kaseya 365 can transform your security strategy.

The post What is Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS)? appeared first on Kaseya.

In this blog, we’ll explore the concept of “update rings,” their significance and how Kaseya VSA can streamline the process by utilizing isolated sites for testing updates. We’ll also discuss the necessity of a testing environment and how they aid in QA testing, ensuring your systems are always in top shape. 

What Are Update Rings? 

Update rings are a strategy designed to manage the deployment of updates within an organization. By categorizing devices into different groups that receive updates at staggered intervals, you can control the rollout process more effectively. This method allows IT administrators to ensure updates are thoroughly tested before being widely deployed across all systems. 

Why Are Update Rings Important? 

Minimized Risk 

Deploying updates to a small group of devices first allows you to identify and resolve issues before they affect your entire organization. This controlled approach minimizes the risk of widespread disruptions and ensures a more stable IT environment. 

Controlled Rollout 

Staggering updates prevent widespread disruption, enabling IT administrators to manage the process more effectively. By controlling the rollout, you can ensure each group of devices receives the necessary attention, reducing the chances of encountering significant issues. 

Improved Stability 

Early identification of potential issues ensures that only stable updates reach your critical systems. This proactive approach helps maintain the overall stability of your IT environment, preventing unexpected downtimes and performance issues. 

Time Between Update Deployments  

By staggering updates to each ring, you can control the impact of corrupted updates. However, its key to find the balance between enough time between each ring to catch problems and not too much time so that endpoints in the outer rings are without key updates.  

Example of Update Ring Structure

1. Test Ring 

The first ring where updates are deployed. This ring is typically composed of a small group of endpoints in a test lab so that IT professionals or advanced users can thoroughly test the updates in a controlled environment before they are released to a broader audience.  

2. Pilot Ring 

After successful testing in the Test Ring, the updates are deployed to a small group of advanced users machines, often referred to as early adopters or a pilot group. These users help to further test the updates in a more diverse but still controlled environment. 

3. Targeted Ring 

Once the updates have passed the Pilot Ring testing, they are deployed to an even larger group of users, known as the targeted audience. This group is typically more representative of the general user base. 

4. Broad Ring 

The final ring involves deploying the updates to the entire organization. By this stage, the updates should be stable and any significant issues should have been resolved. 

Why You Need a Testing Environment in Your Update Rings 

A testing lab simulates your production environment, allowing you to test updates in a controlled setting. This approach helps identify potential issues without impacting live systems, ensuring your updates are safe and effective before deployment. 

Benefits of a Testing Lab 

Risk Mitigation 

Testing updates in a lab environment significantly minimizes the risk of deploying faulty updates across your entire IT infrastructure. By identifying issues early in the testing phase, you can prevent significant disruptions that could impact your business operations. For example, a new software patch might have compatibility issues with certain applications or cause unforeseen bugs. Catching these problems in a lab setting allows you to address them before they reach your production environment, ensuring a smooth operation and reducing the potential for costly downtime or data loss. 

Replication 

One of the key benefits of a testing lab is its ability to replicate your production environment. This means you can create a mirror image of your actual IT setup, complete with the same hardware, software and network configurations. By doing so, you can conduct tests in conditions that are highly relevant and reflective of real-world scenarios. This replication ensures that the results you obtain during testing are accurate and applicable, giving you confidence that the updates will perform as expected when deployed to your live environment. It also allows for more precise troubleshooting and fine-tuning of updates before they go live. 

Compliance 

In today’s regulatory landscape, ensuring that your IT systems comply with organizational policies and industry standards is crucial. A testing lab provides a controlled environment where you can thoroughly vet updates to ensure they meet all necessary compliance requirements. Whether it’s adhering to data protection regulations, industry-specific standards, or internal security policies, a testing lab allows you to verify that all updates align with these criteria. This proactive approach helps in avoiding compliance violations, which can lead to fines, legal issues, or damage to your organization’s reputation. 

By integrating a testing lab into your update rings strategy, your IT team can ensure updates are reliable, relevant and compliant before they reach your production systems. This approach not only enhances the stability and security of your IT environment but also provides peace of mind, knowing that your updates have been rigorously tested and vetted. 

How Kaseya VSA Facilitates Helps QA Testing 

Kaseya VSA simplifies the QA testing process through several key features designed to make your update management more efficient and reliable. 

Isolated Sites 

Using sites within VSA enables you to roll out updates to different levels and environments at different times. You can leverage this site function to work as part of leveled update rings to ensure you roll out updates to small parts at a time. This prevents potential disruptions in the live environment, ensuring that any issues are contained and addressed before widespread deployment. 

Detailed Reporting 

VSA provides comprehensive reports on the performance and stability of updates. These reports aid in informed decision-making, allowing you to track the success of updates and identify any areas that need improvement. 

Patch Rollback Options 

If an update causes issues, VSA offers easy patch rollback options to restore systems to remove patches. This feature ensures that any problematic patches can be quickly rectified, minimizing downtime and maintaining system integrity. 

Backup and Recovery Integrations 

Having a predictable backup and recovery solution that you know you can rely on is essential when it comes for IT system management. Kaseya VSA integrates with leading backup vendors such as Datto and Unitrends to ensure that if you have an update that fails or causes issues that you always have a recovery point. 

Get Started with Kaseya VSA Today 

Implementing update rings and leveraging Kaseya VSA for deployment of updates can significantly enhance your IT management strategy. By ensuring updates are thoroughly tested and rolled out in a controlled manner, you can minimize risks and maintain a stable, secure IT environment. 

Discover how Kaseya VSA can streamline your update management process. Request a demo and see it in action and take the first step towards a more efficient and secure IT environment. 

Related Resources 

• Kaseya VSA Software Management Module 

• Best Practices for Patch Management 

By embracing update rings and utilizing tools like Kaseya VSA, you can ensure your systems remain secure, stable and up-to-date with minimal disruption. This approach will not only enhance your IT management but also provide peace of mind knowing that your IT environment is well-maintained and secure. 

The post What are Update Rings and Why are they Important?  appeared first on Kaseya.