Datto CEO Tim Weller: Security Is The Top Priority

Security Top Of Mind At Datto

Security, always a primary topic of discussion for the channel, has taken on new meaning in the last couple years with cybersecurity attacks targeting MSPs and their managed services clients. MSPs have become a target for such attacks given the possibility of an attacker gaining access to the data and systems of not just a single company but of multiple clients served by MSPs. And MSP platform providers have served to open the door to such attacks. Russia-based hacker REvil in 2021 attacked MSPs via Kaseya, while both SolarWinds and ConnectWise, whose products are used by MSPs, were hacked.

The spate of attacks, particularly the SolarWinds attack, has brought concern that laws could change to force companies to report undisclosed security breaches and expose them to increased scrutiny.

Datto, which provides a wide range of platforms for MSPs, is looking to stem the attacks with a security focus in all it does, Tim Weller told CRN. At the company‘s October DattoCon conference, the company made security the primary theme because it knows how important it is to prevent cyber attacks via the MSP community, Weller said.

“The direction at Datto is to mimic what the Microsofts and Googles of the world do [for security transparency],” he said. ”We look to big hyperscaler kinds of tech companies as being the gold standard. And we‘ll start publishing more down that line.”

Weller also reminds MSPs to make sure they focus on security, and get paid for it. “There is no mandate to go provide all of this for free,” he said. ”You need to raise your prices as you‘re providing more security. And it will be a multi-year journey.”

For a look at what a leading MSP technology provider is doing to focus the industry on security, click through the slideshow.