How Do I Keep Up with Changing Compliance Regulations?

Compliance regulations evolve, and MSPs must stay abreast of updates to ensure both their own operations and client services are compliant. This guide provides actionable steps to monitor regulatory shifts, use industry resources, and stay ahead of changing compliance requirements. It can help protect your MSP and build client trust.

Please Note: Regulations are constantly evolving and can be confusing. Always seek out the latest information from the regulating agencies to get the most accurate information. Training and certification might be required. The following information is a first step to your complete education on this topic.

Actionable Steps to Stay Updated on Compliance Regulations

1. Monitor Government and Regulatory Announcements

Regulatory bodies frequently publish updates, guidelines, and rule changes that can directly impact your MSP and your clients.

• Actionable Steps

  • Identify key regulatory bodies relevant to your markets, such as:
    • U.S.: Department of Health & Human Services (for HIPAA), Federal Trade Commission (data privacy), Department of Defense (CMMC)
    • Europe: European Data Protection Board (GDPR updates)
    • Global: Payment Card Industry Council (PCI DSS)
  • Set up Google Alerts for compliance terms like HIPAA updates or GDPR changes.
  • Visit official websites regularly to check for announcements, rulings, or updates.

• Additional Insights

  • If You Are Monitoring: Review updates monthly and document them for team action.
  • If Not: Assign someone on your team to monitor these resources regularly.

• Next Step

  • Create a central document or tracker to log updates and outline their impact on your MSP.

2. Subscribe to Industry Compliance Newsletters and Alerts

Many regulatory bodies, industry associations, and technology vendors offer newsletters or alerts that summarize key changes and trends.

• Actionable Steps

  • Subscribe to newsletters like:
    • HHS OCR Newsletter for HIPAA
    • National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) bulletins
    • ISACA Insights for security and compliance trends
  • Follow updates from leading vendors like Microsoft, Google, and compliance tool providers.
  • Join industry compliance forums or LinkedIn groups for real-time insights.

• Additional Insights

  • If You’re Subscribed: Share relevant updates with your team in monthly meetings or newsletters.
  • If Not: Identify three to five reliable newsletters to start with and set up alerts.

• Next Step

  • Develop a habit of summarizing updates internally and identifying which changes require immediate action.

3. Attend Industry Webinars, Conferences, and Workshops

Events hosted by compliance experts and regulatory bodies are excellent opportunities to learn about changes and network with peers facing similar challenges.

• Actionable Steps

  • Attend compliance-specific events like:
    • HIMSS (healthcare IT compliance)
    • ChannelPro DEFEND for cybersecurity compliance updates
    • Vendor-led webinars focusing on new tools or regulation changes
  • Register for on-demand content from regulatory experts to learn at your own pace.

• Additional Insights

  • If You Already Attend: Share key takeaways with your team and clients to reinforce your thought leadership.
  • If Not: Allocate time and budget for team members to attend at least two to three events annually.

• Next Step

  • Build an annual events calendar and prioritize sessions covering key compliance changes.

4. Leverage Vendor and Partner Resources

Many IT vendors and service partners offer compliance training, tools, and guides to help MSPs stay ahead of regulation changes.

• Actionable Steps

  • Work with compliance solution providers like Drata, Vanta, or TrustArc to access compliance-specific training materials.
  • Leverage vendor partner portals for:
    • White papers and regulatory updates
    • Compliance-specific tools (e.g., automated audits, templates)
  • Enroll in vendor-provided webinars or partner-exclusive events.

• Additional Insights

  • If You Already Use Vendor Resources: Optimize the tools and materials for internal compliance training.
  • If Not: Research vendor programs that align with the frameworks you manage.

• Next Step

  • Assign a team member to monitor vendor portals monthly for compliance-related materials.

5. Join MSP and IT Industry Associations

Professional associations and peer groups provide insights into compliance best practices, regulation changes, and industry benchmarks.

• Actionable Steps

  • Join organizations like:
    • CompTIA for IT compliance updates and certification pathways
    • MSPAlliance for compliance readiness best practices
    • ISACA for governance, risk, and compliance knowledge
  • Participate in peer groups or roundtable discussions where MSPs share experiences and strategies for managing compliance.

• Additional Insights

  • If You Already Belong to Associations: Engage actively and use their resources to inform your clients.
  • If Not: Research top industry associations and choose one to join.

• Next Step

  • Set goals for attending association-led events or using member resources to advance compliance knowledge.

6. Train and Certify Your Team in Compliance Best Practices

Keeping your employees trained and certified in compliance standards like HIPAA, GDPR, or CMMC keeps them informed and allows them to respond to changes effectively.

• Actionable Steps

  • Identify relevant certifications for your team, such as:
    • HIPAA Certified Professional (CHP)
    • CMMC Certified Professional (CCP)
    • GDPR Foundation/Practitioner
  • Provide regular internal training sessions to update staff on compliance changes and how they impact service delivery.
  • Schedule team participation in vendor-led compliance workshops.

• Additional Insights

  • If Your Team Already Is Trained: Reassess certifications annually and update knowledge as regulations evolve.
  • If Not: Develop a certification roadmap to build expertise and credibility.

• Next Step

  • Use compliance certifications as a marketing tool to position your MSP as a compliance leader.

Companion Checklist: Stay Current on Compliance Regulations

1. Are You Monitoring Government and Regulatory Announcements for Compliance Updates?

• If Yes: Document updates monthly and communicate changes internally.
• If No: Set up Google Alerts and bookmark regulatory websites.

2. Are You Subscribed to Compliance Newsletters or Alerts from Trusted Sources?

• If Yes: Share key updates with your team and clients.
• If No: Research top compliance newsletters and subscribe to at least three.

3. Do you attend compliance-focused events, webinars, or conferences?

• If Yes: Maximize event ROI by sharing takeaways with your team.
• If No: Allocate time and budget to prioritize key compliance events.

4. Do You Use Vendor-provided Resources to Stay Updated on Compliance?

• If Yes: Regularly review partner portals for updates and tools.
• If No: Identify vendor programs with compliance-specific materials.

5. Are You Part of MSP Associations or Industry Groups that Share Compliance Insights?

• If Yes: Actively engage in discussions and use member resources.
• If No: Join at least one association to stay informed.

Do You Provide Compliance Certifications and Training for your Team?

• If Yes: Schedule regular updates to keep certifications current.
• If No: Build a training and certification roadmap for team development.

Conclusion

Staying ahead of evolving compliance regulations is essential for protecting your MSP and maintaining client trust. By leveraging government resources, vendor tools, professional associations, and team training, your MSP stays informed and ready to adapt. Use this guide and checklist to build a structured process for monitoring and responding to regulatory changes. It will position your business as a trusted compliance leader.

Next Steps

• Want more helpful guidance? Check out our Compliance and Regulations Answer Center.
• Have a question for our experts? Send it to editors@channelpronetwork.com

ChannelPro has created this resource to help busy MSPs streamline their decision-making process. This resource offers a starting point for evaluating key business choices, saving time and providing clarity. While this resource is designed to guide you through important considerations, we encourage you to seek more references and professional advice to ensure fully informed decisions.

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