An MSP onboarding checklist is an essential tool for any managed service provider preparing to partner with a cybersecurity provider. It helps MSPs take a step back and assess exactly what they need before jumping into a long-term partnership.
While working with a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) is key to staying ahead of evolving cyber threats and compliance demands, not all providers are the right fit. Understanding what to evaluate ahead of time can save time, prevent costly missteps, and ensure a smoother integration.
In this article, we’ll walk you through a complete MSP onboarding checklist so you can make informed, confident decisions.
Cybersecurity Partner Onboarding Checklist for MSPs
A thorough onboarding checklist helps MSPs evaluate potential partners with clarity and confidence, guaranteeing the collaboration will genuinely support their business goals and the security needs of their clients.
Below, we have highlighted the most important factors an MSP should consider before partnering with an MSSP.
1. Identify the Cybersecurity Provider’s Key Services
Cybersecurity is a broad field, and no two providers offer the same mix of services, therefore you should begin by understanding exactly what your prospective MSSP offers.
Look for core services such as:
Ask for details on how these services are delivered, their scope, and whether they’re built in-house or outsourced.
A reliable MSSP should be transparent about their methodologies and offer layered, proactive strategies that are aligned with the nature of your clients’ environments. Matching your needs with the right capabilities is key to building a partnership that works from day one.
2. Evaluate the MSSP’s Reputation and Reliability
Make sure you thoroughly research your future partner’s reputation in the cybersecurity space. You can start by reading independent reviews, checking for industry recognition, and talking to current or former clients.
Look for consistency, for instance if they are known for meeting SLAs, of if they communicate clearly and respond swiftly during incidents. Reputability is also reflected in their longevity and client retention rates.
A reliable MSSP will also have processes in place for 24/7 support and escalation. If possible, request case studies or references to get a clearer sense of how they’ve handled real-world scenarios.
3. Make Sure the MSSPs Are Certified and Compliant
Your cybersecurity partner must meet industry standards. This includes both individual certifications (like CEH, OSCP, or CISSP) and organizational credentials such as ISO/IEC 27001, SOC 2, or CREST.
These accreditations reflect a provider’s commitment to quality and continual improvement. Even more, you should verify that they understand the compliance requirements relevant to your clients, whether it’s HIPAA, GDPR, PCI-DSS, or other frameworks.
A provider that actively supports audit preparation, documentation, and reporting will be an asset not just for defense, but for growth. Compliance should be embedded in your partner’s culture.
4. Assess Your MSP’s Current Capabilities
Before finalizing any partnership, it’s vital to understand your own strengths and gaps. Take stock of the services you already provide and the resources you currently manage in-house. Are you strong in network monitoring but lacking in compliance support? Do you need threat intelligence or just help scaling your incident response?
Clarifying this early on helps prevent overlaps and verifies that your MSSP complements, rather than duplicates, your efforts. This internal reflection also prepares you for more productive conversations, allowing you to ask the right questions and negotiate smarter terms based on clear operational realities.
5. Determine Your Scalability Needs
As your MSP grows, your security needs will evolve. An MSSP should be able to grow with you, adapting to changing workloads, expanding client portfolios, and new industry verticals.
Verify how easily their services scale, for instance whether they can:
- Support additional clients without compromising quality.
- Offer tiered service levels to match different business stages.
Whether you’re onboarding 5 clients or 50, your cybersecurity partner should be equipped to handle it with minimal disruption. Flexibility and modular service options are valuable here, allowing you to expand your offerings without reworking the whole security framework.
6. Clarify the Pricing Models
Cost is always part of the equation, but clarity is even more important than the numbers. Make sure you fully understand the MSSP’s pricing structure, whether it’s flat-rate, per-user, usage-based, or tiered.
Some helpful questions to ask:
- What’s included?
- What’s considered add-on?
- Does emergency support or specific tools incur additional fees?
An ideal MSSP will offer pricing that aligns with your budget while still giving you room to grow and maintain margin. Some may also offer back-to-back billing options or flexible payment terms that support your cash flow.
7. Agree on SLAs
A strong cybersecurity partnership starts with well-defined Service Level Agreements (SLAs). These agreements outline the level of service you can expect, from response times and resolution targets to the scope of ongoing support.
SLAs provide accountability and set clear expectations for both parties. Make sure to define what constitutes a critical issue versus a lower-priority one, and always verify there’s transparency around how metrics are tracked and reported.
This clarity helps prevent misunderstandings and builds trust. For MSPs, it’s also an opportunity to align expectations with what their clients require, especially when offering white-labelled services or acting as a strategic intermediary.
8. Establish Termination Clauses
No one likes to think about ending a partnership, but it’s crucial to plan for that possibility from the start. A solid contract should outline clear termination clauses that protect both your interests and those of your clients.
Look for details about:
- Notice periods
- Offboarding support
- Data handling obligations
- Any financial penalties tied to early exits
If your business or the cybersecurity provider experiences changes in direction, leadership, or capabilities, you want the flexibility to transition without disruption. Having a fair exit strategy builds confidence and demonstrates that the provider sees your relationship as a partnership, not just a transaction.
9. Set Up Communication and Support Processes
Clear communication can make or break a cybersecurity partnership. Agree early on how you’ll stay in touch, whether through regular check-ins, a shared dashboard, or a dedicated account manager.
Define escalation paths for incidents, and make sure after-hours or emergency contact information is easy to access. Good support doesn’t just solve problems; it anticipates them. Your MSSP should feel like an extension of your own team, offering proactive insights and updates. Consistent, transparent communication helps you stay informed, builds mutual trust, and guarantees you’re never left in the dark when quick decisions need to be made.
10. Evaluate and Set Up the Tools Provided by the Cybersecurity Partner
Before integrating a new provider’s tools into your workflow, assess how they align with your current infrastructure:
- Are the tools intuitive, customizable, and compatible with your existing systems?
- Do they allow for centralized monitoring, automated reporting, and easy collaboration?
Take time to evaluate their interface, data sharing capabilities, and the level of visibility they offer. The best cybersecurity platforms empower your team, not burden them.
Always make sure that you and your clients can navigate these tools confidently. Strong technical onboarding and hands-on training sessions from your MSSP are essential to get the most out of their technology.
11. Run Pilot Tests of the Cybersecurity Services
A trial run is the best way to verify that what’s promised on paper translates well in practice. Running a pilot project with your MSSP allows you to observe how their systems and people operate under real-world conditions.
Start with a limited scope, such as endpoint monitoring or vulnerability assessments, and use it to assess responsiveness, reporting quality, and ease of collaboration. Pilots also help identify gaps or integration issues before full deployment. It’s a low-risk way to test fit, performance, and communication, giving your team valuable confidence and insights before scaling up the engagement.
12. Set Clear KPIs for Success
Once the partnership is in motion, you’ll need a reliable way to measure its value. That’s where key performance indicators (KPIs) come in.
Set metrics that reflect:
- Operational Goals, such as response times, number of incidents detected, and average time to resolution.
- Strategic Goals, like compliance support or client satisfaction.
These benchmarks help track progress and allow both you and the MSSP to refine your approach over time. Be sure to revisit and adjust KPIs as your services evolve or as new threats emerge. Clear, data-driven objectives keep the partnership focused, results-oriented, and accountable.
Download the checklist as a PDF! You can print it out or use the digital version to make the process easier!
Onboard CyberGlobal as Your MSP partner
Choosing the right cybersecurity partner can transform the way your MSP delivers protection to clients, and that’s where CyberGlobal comes in.
As an MSP partner, you gain access to over 40 specialized services spanning penetration testing, SOC operations, cloud and application security, network protection, compliance (GRC), threat intelligence, and incident response. Our strategies are built to scale, adapt, and respond to real-world threats, whether your clients operate locally or globally.
Backed by international accreditations such as NATO OTAN, CREST, NIS2 Accreditation, ISO 27001, and ISO 9000, CyberGlobal is not just a provider. We’re a standard-bearer for excellence. Our reach covers over 20 countries across EMEA, APAC, and the USA, ensuring that our insights are shaped by both global trends and local regulatory demands.
With a presence in 70+ partnerships and a track record of protecting more than 1,000 businesses, we understand the challenges MSPs face. That’s why our program is built around transparency, flexibility, and long-term success.
What You Gain by Partnering with CyberGlobal
- Full Portfolio Access: Enjoy lifetime access to our entire suite of cybersecurity services, from SOC to compliance audits, empowering your team to deliver top-tier protection.
- One-Time, Upfront Pricing: A clear, one-time $5K fee. No hidden costs. No surprises.
- Cash-Flow Friendly Payments: Pay only when your clients do, with back-to-back billing designed to support your business model.
- Enterprise-Level Capabilities: Offer robust, enterprise-grade protection backed by our expertise and infrastructure.
- Branding and Marketing Support: Maintain your identity with co-branding opportunities and joint promotional efforts.
Let CyberGlobal amplify your MSP offerings with advanced cybersecurity services and a collaborative, transparent partnership. Join us today to build a more secure digital future!
