Spectra launches cyber resilience certification for MSPs
Spectra has announced the introduction of a new resilience certification for managed service providers (MSPs) and the establishment of a cyber risk advisory board featuring specialists from national security and cybersecurity.
The Certification of Resilience for MSPs, Standards v.1.0, is the first cyber resilience certification explicitly tied to performance outcomes and insurance qualification. Spectra states that this approach is aimed at improving both cybersecurity across the managed services sector and the insurance market's response to proven risk reduction practices.
Advisory board formation
Spectra has formed the Cyber Risk Advisory Board to guide the evolution and relevance of its certification standards amidst changing threat landscapes and regulatory frameworks. The board is chaired by Dr. Michael Sulmeyer, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy and professor at Georgetown University. Other members include Iranga Kahangama, former Assistant Secretary for Cyber, Infrastructure, Risk, and Resilience at the US Department of Homeland Security, who is currently a Fellow at the Center for Long Term Cybersecurity at the University of California, Berkeley.
"I am excited to advise Spectra on this crucial mission to improve the understanding of cyber threats to improve insurance outcomes from MSPs" said Sulmeyer. "These entities occupy a critical role in the cybersecurity threat landscape: the broad scale of their operations means that improving their security improves the security of the nation as well."
Spectra's intention is that the board's experience will help guarantee the certification remains aligned with practical realities and the needs of both MSPs and their customers as risks and regulations shift.
New standards for certification
The Certification of Resilience program has been developed with support from the advisory board. According to Spectra, the new standards are designed to address what it describes as a gap between cybersecurity marketing claims and verified improvements in actual risk reduction, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises and their insurers.
Eric Altamura, Chief Operating Officer at Spectra, explained how practitioner feedback has factored into the product's criteria.
"We have benefited tremendously from our advisors' expert insight into the real threats MSPs face, which we've incorporated in the latest version of our standards," said Eric Altamura, COO, Spectra. "This program isn't about theoretical compliance; it's about verified performance aligned with the expectations of customers and insurers. We're setting a new bar for what it means to be a resilient MSP and backing that with a financial guarantee. The program is designed to empower quality MSPs in the insurance marketplace that often overlooks the critical role of MSPs in providing security and resilience for businesses around the world."
The certification is described as company-based rather than individual-focused, aligning provider status with eligibility for preferred insurers. Certified MSPs are eligible to become preferred partners for insurers, brokers, and small businesses. Spectra also offers a warranty: if a certified MSP does not meet the certification's standards during a service, Spectra will refund the service to the end customer.
Confidence for customers and partners
Through this certification, MSPs can access increased visibility and business opportunities in the insurance sector. By working directly with brokers and insurers, Spectra plans to refer customers to certified MSPs that comply with resilience requirements. The certification is intended to address perceived risks and streamline the underwriting process for cyber insurance.
Erick Simpson, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Strategist at Channel Mastered, commented on the significance of the new certification for the channel market.
"In today's channel, trust is more than a value — it's a competitive advantage." said Erick Simpson, CEO and chief strategist at Channel Mastered. "Spectra's new certification empowers partners to prove they're not only compliant but truly capable. It validates their expertise in protecting customers now and well into the future, backed by the confidence of industry experts."
Spectra has positioned the certification as a means of narrowing the gap between marketing promises and proved risk reduction. By tying certification to business outcomes and insurance qualification, Spectra aims to enable MSPs and their clients to benefit from cyber insurance options that more accurately reflect their risk posture.
