Switching IT providers shouldn't feel risky. Done well, your
first 90 days with a managed service provider (MSP) stabilize day‑to‑day
operations, reduce security exposure, and give leaders a clear plan for what
comes next. At All‑Access Infotech, we run a proven onboarding process for
small and mid‑sized organizations across Vermont and New Hampshire, especially
those in healthcare and dental, financial and legal, manufacturing, nonprofits,
and municipal government.
We're a veteran‑owned, Upper Valley‑based team with CISSP‑led
cybersecurity leadership and decades of hands‑on experience. Our approach is
business‑first: standardize what should be standard, harden what must be
secure, and sequence projects so upgrades land on time and on budget.
Why the First 90 Days Matter
The early phase sets the tone for reliability and security.
National guidance underscores the basics: multi‑factor authentication (MFA),
endpoint detection and response (EDR), disciplined patching, and tested,
offline‑capable backups reduce the likelihood and impact of common attacks. The
latest NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 adds a new Govern function that
puts accountability, risk appetite, and supplier oversight front‑and‑center, useful
lenses during onboarding.
Insurers increasingly expect these same fundamentals. Recent
claims data shows the inbox is the top source of losses while ransomware
remains the most disruptive. Closing those gaps in the first 90 days improves
both resilience and insurability.
Days 0-14: Kickoff, Discovery, and Fast Risk Reduction
Kickoff & communication. We introduce your
account manager, vCIO, and engineering leads, confirm decision paths, and set a
weekly cadence for updates and issue review. Clear owners and clear rhythms
prevent surprises.
Inventory and documentation. We build a source‑of‑truth
for sites, circuits, firewalls, switches, servers, endpoints, accounts, and
line‑of‑business apps. Strong IT documentation accelerates support, prevents
rework, and makes future changes safer.
Baseline security controls. We prioritize high‑impact
safeguards:
- Turn
on MFA for Microsoft 365, VPN/remote access, and key apps.
- Deploy
EDR and ensure alerts are monitored.
- Centralize
patching for Windows, firmware, and core software.
- Verify
encrypted, offsite‑capable backups and perform a test restore.
These align with CISA's Cross‑Sector Cybersecurity Performance Goals and
provide immediate, measurable risk reduction.
Quick reliability wins. We fix noisy, high‑pain
issues: Wi‑Fi coverage gaps, failing switches, unmanaged printers, and outdated
anti‑virus. Early wins build momentum and free your team from daily friction.
Days 15-45: Standardize, Segment, and Stabilize
Network and identity standards. Golden configurations
for firewalls, switches, and Wi‑Fi; standardized identity settings (password
policies, conditional access, least‑privilege). Consistency reduces tickets and
speeds onboarding for new hires.
Email security and payment verification. Because so
many incidents start in the inbox, we harden mail flow with advanced phishing
protection and implement payment‑change verification to counter BEC and fraud.
Segmentation for safety. Separate office, public‑facing,
and any operational technology (e.g., cameras, building systems) so a problem
in one area doesn't cascade.
Lifecycle plan. We map end‑of‑support systems and
propose a phased replacement plan that fits budget cycles, critical for rural
teams where connectivity and staffing are lean.
User enablement. Short training sessions and quick
guides help staff spot phish, use password managers, and request support the
right way.
Days 46-90: Projects, Roadmap, and Insurance Readiness
Project delivery that ships. With the environment
stable, we schedule and execute the first wave of improvements: M365
optimizations or migrations, Teams Phone, secure remote access, Wi‑Fi
redesigns, secure file services, or line‑of‑business upgrades.
Policy and governance. Practical policies (acceptable
use, incident response, vendor payment changes) and clear ownership of
administrative accounts. We use CSF 2.0's Govern concepts to make
responsibilities explicit and auditable.
Insurance alignment. We review your most likely
insurance questionnaires and confirm that MFA, EDR, backup testing, and logging
standards are in place. Claims data and carrier guidance show these are now
minimum expectations.
vCIO review and 12‑month roadmap. We present outcomes
to leadership: what improved, where risk remains, and the proposed 12‑month
plan with timelines and budgets. You walk away confident in next steps.
What This Looks Like in Practice
- Healthcare
& Dental: Standardized imaging‑room workstations, email security
tuned for HIPAA‑sensitive workflows, and reliable backups that enable fast
file‑level recovery.
- Financial
& Legal: Payment‑change verification, conditional access, insider‑risk
auditing, and secure collaboration to keep client data protected.
- Municipal:
Multi‑site network standards for town hall, public works, and public
safety, with segmented networks and cloud services that tolerate rural
connectivity.
Research Snapshot: Why These Steps Work
- Baseline
controls reduce risk. CISA's CPGs emphasize MFA, vulnerability and
patch management, and tested backups as high‑impact, broadly applicable
defenses.
- Governance
matters. NIST's CSF 2.0 elevates Govern to a core function, making
roles, policies, and third‑party risk part of day‑one conversations.
- Most
losses start in email. Coalition's 2024/2025 data shows BEC and funds‑transfer
fraud make up the majority of claims; ransomware remains the costliest and
most disruptive when it does hit.
- Documentation
accelerates support. Credible ITAM/IT documentation guidance shows
that accurate inventories and standardized documentation reduce errors and
speed onboarding.
Key Takeaways
- The
first 90 days should deliver visible stability, measurable security gains,
and a clear 12‑month plan.
- Aligning
to CISA CPGs and NIST CSF 2.0 during onboarding builds resilience and
makes insurance reviews smoother.
- Consistency
wins: standard configs, segmented networks, and solid documentation reduce
tickets and speed future projects.
Click Here or give us a call at (802) 331-1900 to Book a FREE Discovery Call
