Navigating Compliance, Cybersecurity Investment, & Decision-Making w/ Jared Casner

The discussion begins with Jared Casner sharing his journey into the channel, highlighting a pivotal shift from direct sales to working with Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Initially targeting small businesses with a compliance-as-a-service platform, Jared and his team quickly realized the importance of MSPs in deploying their solution effectively. This realization led them to invest time in understanding the channel, attending conferences, and learning from their MSP partners.Jared elaborates on the challenges small businesses face regarding compliance and security, drawing from his extensive experience as a CTO in finance and healthcare. He emphasizes the pain points he encountered while building security programs from scratch and the lessons learned along the way. The conversation reveals that the genesis of Blacksmith InfoSec stemmed from a desire to create software that simplifies compliance processes, making them more accessible and affordable for small businesses.The episode delves into the concept of viewing security as an investment rather than a cost. Jared explains how early investments in security can lead to long-term benefits, akin to a 401k approach. By embedding security into the organizational culture, businesses can foster a proactive mindset among employees, reducing the likelihood of security breaches. This proactive approach not only mitigates risks but also enhances operational efficiency, allowing businesses to respond more effectively to compliance demands and potential threats.As the discussion progresses, Jared shares insights into risk management and the importance of tailored solutions for different businesses. He discusses the need for a scoring system that helps organizations understand their risk levels and prioritize compliance efforts. By providing a phased compliance roadmap and risk assessments, Blacksmith InfoSec aims to empower MSPs to guide their clients in making informed decisions about their security investments. The episode concludes with Jared reflecting on the decision-making framework that drives their product development, emphasizing collaboration and strategic planning to meet the evolving needs of their partners and clients.  💼 All Our SponsorsMSP Radio is supported by our partners: LogMeIn · Opentext · Transit AI · Guardz · Pax8 · ABC Solutions · Rythmz · ScalePad · CometBackup · TimeZest Supporting the IT services community through insights, analysis, and transparency. 🚀 Join Business of Tech PlusGet exclusive access to investigative reports, vendor analysis, leadership briefings, and more.👉 https://businessof.tech/plus 🎧 Subscribe to the Business of TechWant the show on your favorite podcast app or prefer the written versions of each story?📲 https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe 📰 Story Links & SourcesLooking for the links from today’s stories?Every episode script — with full source links — is posted at:🌐 https://www.businessof.tech 🎙 Want to Be a Guest?Pitch your story or appear on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights:💬 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech 🔗 Follow Business of Tech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradioBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.techInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradioTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.