Identify IT Risks and Compliance Requirements
Client Assessment
Conducting a client risk assessment is a critical step for any MSP or IT service provider aiming to deliver proactive, compliant, and secure services. In this chapter, we break down how to assess your client’s IT environment, determine their compliance requirements, and identify vulnerabilities based on industry standards, internal processes, and cybersecurity policies.
Whether you're using a compliance automation platform or conducting manual assessments, understanding how to evaluate risk is essential for long-term success.
Why Client Assessments Are Essential for MSPs
Performing a client risk assessment gives you the strategic insight needed to:
Align services with industry-specific compliance standards (HIPAA, GDPR, PCI-DSS, etc.)
Pinpoint security gaps before they lead to costly incidents
Build a roadmap for technology upgrades and process improvements
Create a shared understanding of risk between you and the client
Support insurance applications and audits with documented evidence
Client Assessment
We’ve included the 11 most urgent questions you must ask your clients to assess their level of risk and compliance needs.
1. What industry does your client operate in?
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2. How critical are the services provided by the client to their clients?
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3. Does your client handle sensitive data as part of its regular business operations?
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4. Does your client maintain well-documented cybersecurity policies and procedures?
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5. Does your client ask all its employees and partners to undergo security awareness training at regular intervals?
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6. How does your client maintain an inventory of all its assets?
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7. Does your client centrally manage configuration of all its devices?
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8. Does your client use an Endpoint Protection Solution to protect its endpoints?
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9. Does your client centrally log & monitor events in real time?
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10. Can your client effectively failover in case of a disaster?
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11. Does your client have an incident response and recovery playbook?
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How can you prove that compliance is critical to your client’s success?
Find out how to change the conversation in Chapter 4.
Chapter 2
Identify Your Clients’ Needs
