Chapter 3: Client Assessment

Identify IT Risks and Compliance Requirements

Client Assessment

Chapter 3

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

3.1

Client Assessment

Many compliance automation tools include built-in client assessments.
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?

Low Risk

Medium Risk

High Risk

Critical Risk

2. How critical are the services provided by the client to their clients?

Low Risk

Medium Risk

High Risk

Critical Risk

3. Does your client handle sensitive data as part of its regular business operations?

Low Risk

Medium Risk

High Risk

Critical Risk

4. Does your client maintain well-documented cybersecurity policies and procedures?

Low Risk

Medium Risk

High Risk

Critical Risk

5. Does your client ask all its employees and partners to undergo security awareness training at regular intervals?

Low Risk

Medium Risk

High Risk

Critical Risk

6. How does your client maintain an inventory of all its assets?

Low Risk

Medium Risk

High Risk

Critical Risk

7. Does your client centrally manage configuration of all its devices?

Low Risk

Medium Risk

High Risk

Critical Risk

8. Does your client use an Endpoint Protection Solution to protect its endpoints?

Low Risk

Medium Risk

High Risk

Critical Risk

9. Does your client centrally log & monitor events in real time?

Low Risk

Medium Risk

High Risk

Critical Risk

10. Can your client effectively failover in case of a disaster?

Low Risk

Medium Risk

High Risk

Critical Risk

11. Does your client have an incident response and recovery playbook?

Low Risk

Medium Risk

High Risk

Critical Risk