Many SMEs rely on an MSP for important parts of cyber security: backups, patching, access, endpoint protection, monitoring, email security, cloud administration, and incident support. That does not remove the SME's need to understand what evidence exists and what can safely be shared with customers, insurers, or procurement teams.
Ask for evidence, not vague reassurance
"Everything is covered" is not evidence. Useful evidence usually has a date, source, owner, scope, and clear meaning. Ask for summaries or reports that show what is covered, what is excluded, and what requires customer action.
Practical MSP evidence request list
Ask your MSP for:
- Backup status summary and restore-test evidence if available
- MFA status for key systems they manage
- User access review support or export guidance
- Patching or update routine summary
- Endpoint protection or security tool summary
- Incident support and escalation process
- Logging or monitoring summary if in scope
- Vulnerability scan or review evidence if provided
- Supplier responsibility split between SME and MSP
- Contact details and response expectations for incidents
Clarify responsibility boundaries
The most useful MSP conversations clarify who does what. The SME may own policy decisions, user approvals, risk acceptance, customer answers, and supplier choices. The MSP may manage technical settings, reports, tools, and operational support. Evidence should show that split clearly.
Do not forward raw provider material without review
Some provider evidence may contain sensitive technical details, customer names, internal architecture, or commercial information. Review what is safe to share before sending it to a buyer or insurer.