The Hidden Cybersecurity Risks Buried in MSP Contracts
When you hire a Managed Service Provider (MSP), you’re not just buying IT support—you’re buying peace of mind. But what if the very contract that’s meant to protect your business puts it at risk? It’s more common than you think. Many small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) assume that working with an MSP means their cybersecurity is fully covered. But in reality, unclear or outdated contracts can shift critical liability back onto you—the client. This is called cyber risk transfer, and it’s a threat that flies under the radar until it’s too late. In this guide, we’ll show you: Cybersecurity risks transfer is when an MSP contract limits their responsibility for a breach, outage, or data loss—even if they’re managing your environment. This isn’t about shady business practices. Often, it’s the result of: The danger: If your business suffers a cyberattack, the MSP may not be contractually obligated to help you recover—or compensate you. Cybercriminals increasingly target SMBs because they often lack internal security teams. This is why partnering with an MSP is smart. But a smart contract is just as important as a smart provider. When contracts don’t clearly define roles and responsibilities, your business can end up: “Services provided as-is, without guarantee of security or availability.” This gives MSPs an out if backups fail or malware gets through. ✅ Better MSPs include measurable SLAs (Service Level Agreements) for things like: “Client agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the MSP…” This means you might have to cover the MSP’s legal costs—even if the issue was their fault. ✅ Better MSPs use mutual indemnification to ensure fair legal protection for both parties. “MSP’s total liability shall not exceed one month of service fees.” If a breach costs you $80,000, a clause like this might only reimburse $2,000–$5,000. ✅ Better MSPs negotiate reasonable caps based on: “Includes cybersecurity services.” Without specifics, you may not be covered for essentials like: ✅ Better MSPs provide a detailed service list and revisit it annually—or as your tech stack evolves. Cybercriminals often target printers and multifunction devices (MFPs) because businesses commonly leave them unsecured. ✅ Better MSPs secure all endpoints, including printers: Contracts should build trust, not test it. Great MSPs treat the contract as a reflection of their commitment to your business, not just legal coverage for theirs. At Doceo, this is our baseline—not an upgrade. Printers and MFPs are more than paper pushers—they’re networked devices with: Yet they’re too often excluded from IT management contracts. ✅ Doceo secures your print environment with: Before you renew or sign your next MSP agreement, let us help you: 👉 Request your no-obligation contract review 📞 Or call us at 888-757-6626 Doceo | Proven Technology. Proven People.
🔍 What Is Cyber Risk Transfer?
✅ What Good MSPs Do:
⚠️ Why SMBs Are Especially Vulnerable
✅ What Good MSPs Do:
🚩 5 Risky Contract Clauses to Watch For (and What Better MSPs Do Instead)
📝 1. “As-Is” or “Best-Effort” Service Language
⚖️ 2. One-Sided Indemnification
💸 3. Minimal Liability Limits
📦 4. Undefined Security Scope
🖨️ 5. No Mention of Print Devices
🤝 The MSP You Choose Should Be a Partner, Not Just a Provider
🚀 What Exceptional MSPs Do:
🖨️ Don’t Let Printers Be Your Security Blind Spot
📞 Let’s Review Your MSP Agreement—Together
