In this episode of Beyond the Horizon, N-able Head Nerd Joe Ferla sits down with Lewis Pope, Head Security and Compliance Nerd, to unpack the evolving landscape of cloud security for MSPs. As MSPs shift from physical environments to cloud-first operations, Lewis shares hard-earned insights on what it takes to secure cloud workloads, manage identity, and navigate the growing complexity of cloud infrastructure.

From practical best practices to the business realities of outsourcing, this episode is a must-listen for MSPs looking to stay competitive, secure, and scalable in a post-COVID world. Lewis doesn’t just talk theory—he dives into the gritty details of what MSPs need to know, do, and avoid when managing cloud environments.

Whether you're a one-person shop or scaling toward enterprise-level service delivery, this episode will challenge your assumptions and offer actionable advice to strengthen your cloud security posture.

Key Takeaways

• Cloud Security Is Not Optional: Identity management, breach detection, and posture management are now baseline requirements for MSPs.
• Outsourcing Is Strategic, Not Shameful: Mature MSPs are outsourcing MDR, cloud infrastructure, and automation to scale efficiently and profitably.
• Know Your Limits: MSPs must recognise when internal capabilities fall short and seek partnerships or MSSPs to fill the gaps.
• Best Practices for Cloud Security:
   
  • Start fresh if needed—don’t be afraid to rebuild cloud environments securely. 
  • Apply least privilege principles across users, services, and APIs.
  • Implement layered security: endpoint protection, segmentation, encryption, and WAFs.
  • Practice business continuity and disaster recovery plans regularly.
  • 24/7 Monitoring Is Table Stakes: Threats move fast—MSPs must adopt continuous monitoring and automated response tools.
  • Peer Learning Is Power: Engage with peer groups and events like N-able Empower to learn from others who’ve already solved these challenges.
  • AI Is Widening the Gap: The rise of AI-driven security tools means MSPs must evolve quickly or risk falling behind.
  • Regulatory Pressure Is Coming: Data sovereignty and compliance will soon force cloud security conversations—MSPs must lead, not lag.

Disclaimer: This podcast provides educational information about issues that may be relevant to information technology service providers. Nothing in the podcast should be construed as any recommendation or endorsement by N-able, or as legal or any other advice. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by N-able employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of N-able or its officers and directors. The podcast may also contain forward-looking statements regarding future product plans, functionality, or development efforts that should not be interpreted as a commitment from N-able related to any deliverables or timeframe. All content is based on information available at the time of recording, and N-able has no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. https://www.n-able.com