Cloud Attack Surface Management with MSPs

In today’s hyper-connected digital landscape, businesses increasingly rely on cloud environments for scalability, flexibility, and efficiency. However, this shift expands the attack surface—the sum of all potential entry points for cyber threats. When Managed Service Providers (MSPs) enter the picture, managing this attack surface becomes a shared responsibility that demands clear strategies, robust contracts, and swift incident response. In this post, we’ll break down what MSPs are, how to fortify your agreements with them, real-world compromises that highlight the risks, and practical steps for handling breaches. Whether you’re a security pro or a business leader, these insights can help safeguard your cloud ecosystem.

What is a Managed Service Provider (MSP)?

A Managed Service Provider (MSP) is an external organization that handles the day-to-day management of a company’s IT infrastructure, applications, and security services. Typically operating on a subscription basis, MSPs provide proactive monitoring, maintenance, and support to ensure systems run smoothly without the need for in-house expertise. In the context of cloud environments, MSPs often manage resources on platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, including configuration, access controls, and threat detection.

MSPs are particularly valuable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that lack the resources for full-time IT teams. They can handle everything from routine backups to advanced cybersecurity, but this outsourcing introduces dependencies. If an MSP’s own security falters, it can cascade to clients, amplifying the attack surface across multiple organizations.

Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Contracts: Building a Strong Foundation

SLAs and contracts are the backbone of any MSP relationship, outlining expectations, responsibilities, and accountability. In cloud attack surface management, these documents must explicitly address cybersecurity to minimize risks. Without clear terms, disputes can arise during incidents, delaying response and exacerbating damage.

Key areas to cover include regular attack surface assessments (e.g., vulnerability scanning and exposure monitoring), data handling protocols, and compliance with standards like ISO 27001 or NIST. For incident response, define notification timelines, escalation procedures, and roles to ensure coordinated action.

Here’s some practical contract verbiage you can adapt. These are inspired by standard templates and best practices from cybersecurity SLAs, but always consult legal experts to tailor them to your needs.

For Attack Surface Management:

• Assessment and Monitoring Clause: “The MSP shall conduct quarterly attack surface assessments of the Client’s cloud environment, including but not limited to vulnerability scanning, exposed asset inventory, and misconfiguration detection using tools such as [specify, e.g., Nessus or cloud-native scanners]. Results shall be reported to the Client within 5 business days, with remediation recommendations prioritized by severity (Critical, High, Medium, Low). The MSP agrees to remediate Critical and High vulnerabilities within 48 hours and 7 days, respectively, unless otherwise agreed.”
• Access Control and Least Privilege Clause: “The MSP shall implement and maintain least-privilege access controls in the Client’s cloud environment, reviewing and auditing permissions bi-annually. Any changes to access must be approved by the Client in writing and logged for audit purposes.”

For Incident Response:

• Notification and Reporting Clause: “In the event of a suspected or confirmed security incident affecting the Client’s cloud attack surface, the MSP shall notify the Client’s designated contact via email and phone within 1 hour of detection for Critical incidents (e.g., data breach or unauthorized access) and within 4 hours for High-severity incidents. The notification shall include initial details on the incident’s nature, scope, and potential impact.”
• Response and Remediation Clause: “The MSP shall provide incident response services with the following SLAs: Acknowledgment within 15 minutes, initial triage within 1 hour, and full containment plan within 4 hours for Critical incidents. The MSP will collaborate with the Client’s internal team, providing forensic data and post-incident reports within 72 hours of resolution. Costs for third-party forensics shall be borne by the MSP if the incident stems from MSP negligence.”

Effectively managing your cloud attack surface with MSPs requires a proactive, collaborative approach grounded in clear expectations and robust agreements. By defining precise SLAs and contract terms, you ensure accountability and swift action in the face of threats. Real-world compromises, like the SolarWinds or Kaseya incidents, underscore the stakes: a single MSP breach can ripple across countless organizations. To mitigate risks, prioritize regular assessments, enforce least-privilege access, and establish rapid incident response protocols. When a breach occurs, seamless coordination with your MSP—guided by predefined roles and timelines—can mean the difference between quick containment and catastrophic fallout. Stay vigilant, align your MSP’s incentives with your security goals, and keep your cloud environment fortified against evolving threats.