Top 10 Reasons to Partner with an MSP for Security and Compliance

Why Organizations Should Partner with an MSP for Security and Compliance

Over a decade since President Obama signed Executive Order 13556 in 2010, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Proposed Rule on Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) was finally released on January 15, 2025, as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to protect sensitive government data from ever-evolving cybersecurity threats. The proposed rule sets clear guidelines for all government contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers for the handling and protection of CUI, providing a uniform security framework organizations handling CUI must follow. This rule is currently undergoing a 60-day public comment period set to close on March 17, 2025, as it progresses through the rulemaking process on its way to implementation. This makes it critical that organizations that handle CUI on behalf of the federal government review the proposed rule and evaluate their cybersecurity posture to see what changes they will need to make to achieve compliance.

However, the release of the FAR CUI Proposed Rule can be confusing for federal contractors working with the Department of Defense (DoD) who already had to maintain compliance with the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS). These contractors will now find themselves needing to comply with multiple frameworks including DFARS, FAR CUI, and the CMMC Final Rule. While maintaining compliance with these frameworks is essential for organizations in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) to maintain their DoD contracts, figuring out how they all work together and the steps they need to take to achieve compliance can be overwhelming.

To navigate this complex landscape of cybersecurity requirements, many government contractors (particularly those in the DIB) are turning to IT managed service providers (MSPs) to help guide them through the compliance process. An MSP experienced in security and compliance has the knowledge, resources, and technology to guide contractors through these regulations and make sure that they maintain their compliance posture. Keep reading to learn more about the evolving compliance obligations government contractors face and the importance of partnering with an experienced MSP for security and compliance.

What is an MSP and Why It Matters

As you may already know, an MSP, or managed service provider, is a third-party company that can help manage an organization’s IT systems. An MSP can be used by businesses of all shapes and sizes to manage their network as well as their data backup and recovery procedures, and they can help organizations maintain a strong security and compliance posture. MSPs can be particularly useful for government contractors, as outsourcing their security and compliance needs can provide them with the expert support they need to comply with complex cybersecurity regulations like CMMC, DFARS, and FAR CUI. By providing services like security monitoring, compliance assessments, and incident response support crucial to protecting sensitive government data, MSPs can help federal contractors and subcontractors align their security practices with government regulations, helping them achieve and maintain compliance.

The Challenges Organizations Face Without an MSP

As a federal contractor, achieving and maintaining compliance with various regulations like FAR CUI, CMMC, DFARS, and NIST SP 800-171 can be an overwhelming task if you try to handle it on your own. Fortunately, partnering with an MSP that specializes in compliance can provide you with the support you need to navigate the complex and ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape. Without the support of an experienced MSP, federal contractors and subcontractors may find it hard to stay on top of their compliance responsibilities, particularly if their in-house staff is not experienced in compliance.

The good news is the right MSP can bring with them a wealth of knowledge on government compliance requirements, ensuring contractors maintain the necessary security posture required of them. Outsourcing your security and compliance needs to an MSP can then relieve your organization of compliance burdens, allowing your internal team to focus on business-critical projects. It also saves a significant amount of money compared to hiring a team of in-house IT professionals who specialize in compliance. Having a team of IT professionals by your side with compliance experience is critical, as non-compliance can result in fines, loss of contracts, and even legal penalties.

Key Benefits of Partnering with an MSP for Security and Compliance

As a federal contractor, outsourcing your security and compliance needs to an MSP can bring a number of benefits to your organization. While we’ve hinted at a few of them already, here’s a look at just a few of the benefits federal contractors gain when working with an MSP.

Expertise in Compliance Frameworks

The fact is that compliance with government security regulations is complex, particularly with how much change this field has seen in recent years. Fortunately, when you partner with an MSP, you’ll have a team of experts by your side well-versed in the various compliance frameworks your organization may need to adhere to such as CMMC, FAR CUI, NIST 800-171, and GDPR, among others. If you do not have the resources or expertise to stay abreast of the latest compliance updates, partnering with an MSP can be crucial, as they’ll provide you with actionable insights and compliance roadmaps.

Enhanced Cybersecurity Posture

For government contractors, maintaining the proper cybersecurity posture is essential not only to maintain compliance, but also to protect CUI and ensure national security. While this may seem daunting, MSPs have robust security knowledge and can put measures and technology in place to protect your sensitive data and systems. Outsourcing your compliance tasks can then enhance your security posture by providing you with best-in-class security measures to prevent a costly data breach.

Cost Savings and Scalability

Achieving compliance can be costly, as you may have to hire additional staff with compliance experience. However, not maintaining compliance can be even more expensive, as this can result in fines and canceled contracts. Fortunately, partnering with an MSP can provide a more cost-effective solution, as MSPs leverage economies of scale to offer high-end compliance and security services for a reasonable price, saving you money compared to maintaining an in-house team. Additionally, working with an MSP simplifies scalability, as they have the resources to meet your business’s evolving compliance needs.

Focus on Core Business Goals

Perhaps the greatest benefit of outsourcing your compliance needs to an MSP is that this frees up internal resources to focus on your core business goals. The fact is that achieving and maintaining compliance can be a time-consuming endeavor, and when managed in-house, you may find your resources stretched thin. Delegating IT and compliance tasks to experts frees up these resources, ensuring business continuity and resilience. It can also give you peace of mind, as you will know that your compliance needs are being handled by experienced IT professionals.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an MSP

Of course, while partnering with an MSP can be essential for government contractors looking to achieve compliance, it is critical that you take the time to find the right MSP who will be able to help you meet your organization’s goals and objectives. A few factors you should consider when choosing an MSP for security and compliance include:

Expertise and Experience

One of the most important things you should ask a prospective MSP is what kind of experience they have helping government contractors achieve and maintain compliance. MSPs have different specialties, and you’ll want to make sure that their expertise matches your needs.

Familiarity With Government Regulations

When asking about an MSP’s experience, make sure that you find out if they are familiar with the government regulations you need to comply with. For instance, defense contractors may find it helpful to work with a CMMC-certified MSP who has the experience to guide you through the certification process.

Reputation

Another important factor to consider is an MSP’s reputation. You should try to find an MSP who has a proven track record of helping government contractors maintain compliance. Always check for testimonials and follow up on any references you’re provided.

FAR CUI and CMMC: Why Timely Action Matters

For DoD contractors who must comply with both CMMC and FAR cybersecurity mandates, it may be tempting to put off complying with these regulations considering the FAR CUI proposed rule isn’t finished, and the deadline to comply with the CMMC Final Rule is still a couple of years away. However, it is essential that organizations within the DIB take a proactive approach to cybersecurity by starting the process of achieving compliance with these regulations now. The fact is that waiting till these rules are fully enforceable to implement them could result in costly delays and even missed contract opportunities. Taking a proactive approach to cybersecurity will ensure that you have time to overcome any compliance barriers and that you are ready when the deadline arrives.

Are You Considering Partnering with an MSP for Security and Compliance? Contact Agile IT

For federal contractors who must comply with regulations such as DFARS, NIST SP 800-171, FAR CUI, and CMMC, the prospect of achieving and maintaining compliance can seem daunting. However, doing so is essential to protect sensitive government data, maintain national security, and ensure you’re able to obtain additional government contracts.

The good news is that you do not have to go through the compliance process alone. By partnering with an experienced MSP like Agile IT, you’ll have experienced professionals to guide you through the compliance process.

If you’re considering partnering with an MSP for security and compliance services, look no further than Agile IT. Our AgileDefend service can uniquely address your security and compliance needs, helping you to get ahead of evolving threats and government regulations while maximizing productivity. Feel free to contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive compliance and security services.