“We packaged the SIEM tool into an advanced security suite, which includes dual MFA, password management vaults, BitLocker, security awareness and phishing training, and vulnerability management. This has absolutely added additional revenue.”
“We benefit from a combination of in-house expertise and support from ConnectWise’s SOC. This collaborative approach ensures we can handle most security incidents internally while leveraging external support for more complex issues.”
Located in northern Ohio, ECMSI has experienced remarkable growth over the past 25 years. Steve Johnson, the NOC/SOC Manager, has been a key part of this journey, experiencing firsthand the company’s evolution and the pivotal role technology has played in its success.
Founded in 1999 by Ralph Blanco, who previously worked in the highly regulated hospital space, ECMSI recognized the future need for IT services among small to medium-sized businesses, particularly those operating under stringent compliance protocols and valuing data privacy and security.
Despite initial skepticism from peers, Blanco’s vision led to the establishment of ECMSI.
“Everybody was like, “this is never going to be a thing.” And look at us now - we’ve been here for 25 years,” said Johnson.
Over time, Blanco expanded the company’s offerings to include managed services for infrastructure and security, rebranding it to ECMSI. This strategic pivot proved successful, establishing them as a trusted and reliable IT service provider.
ConnectWise: A Foundation for Growth
Between 2005 and 2008, ECMSI adopted ConnectWise PSA™ to streamline ticket management, customer management, and project management.
“Before adopting ConnectWise solutions, ECMSI managed its operations using Excel, which became increasingly inefficient as the company expanded. This transition significantly improved operational efficiency, allowing us to handle more clients and projects effectively.”
In addition to ConnectWise PSA, ECMSI implemented an RMM tool to reduce the need for on-site visits and enhance service monitoring and automation. This tool allowed ECMSI to save time and resources, further boosting productivity. The adoption of these solutions marked a turning point for ECMSI, enabling the company to scale its operations and provide better service to its clients.
“ConnectWise solutions made immediate impact on us. The team could handle more clients and tasks without a proportional increase in staff.”
Additionally, ECMSI serves a diverse range of industries, including government, healthcare, legal, manufacturing, and non-profit organizations. They provide tailored IT services and advanced security solutions to meet the specific needs and compliance requirements of each sector.
“Our team used to visit client sites frequently, which was not scalable. Overall, ConnectWise SIEM helped us provide better service to their clients, improve our security posture, and scale our operations.”
ConnectWise SIEM
In 2018, ECMSI added ConnectWise SIEM™ (formerly Perch), following an impressive presentation at IT Nation Connect.
Initially used internally, the SIEM product was later extended to ECMSI’s clients, particularly those with compliance requirements. This comprehensive package has been particularly attractive to clients with compliance requirements or those seeking enhanced security.
“The implementation of ConnectWise SIEM has been well-received, with approximately 20% of our clients now using it. This adoption has not only enhanced security but also ensured compliance with various regulations, demonstrating our commitment to providing comprehensive IT solutions,” said Johnson.
From a revenue standpoint, the introduction of the SIEM product has significantly increased ECMSI’s profitability.
“We packaged the SIEM tool into an advanced security suite, which includes dual MFA, password management vaults, BitLocker, security awareness and phishing training, and vulnerability management. This has absolutely added additional revenue.”
ECMSI’s approach to security is tailored to the needs of its clients. For example, when approached by a doctor’s office concerned about ransomware, ECMSI explained the benefits of the SIEM tool in aggregating logs and providing intrusion detection. This proactive approach allows ECMSI to respond quickly to potential threats, minimizing the risk of prolonged security breaches.
“We benefit from a combination of in-house expertise and support from ConnectWise’s SOC. This collaborative approach ensures we can handle most security incidents internally while leveraging external support for more complex issues.”
Growth Through Security Strength
ECMSI adopted ConnectWise SIEM to enhance their security measures and streamline their operations. This strategic move allowed them to:
- Improve Security Monitoring: Continuous monitoring and intrusion detection capabilities enabled ECMSI to identify and respond to potential threats in real-time.
- Enhance Incident Response: With prioritized alerts and collaboration with internal and external SOCs, ECMSI could manage and mitigate security incidents more effectively.
- Educate Clients: ECMSI used personalized consultations, real-world examples, and detailed explanations to help clients understand the importance of robust security measures.
- Proactive Communication: Regular updates and training programs ensured clients were aware of evolving threats and best practices.
- Increase Efficiency: Automation and remote capabilities reduced the need for on-site visits, saving time and resources.
- Boost Profitability: The introduction of the SIEM product as part of an advanced security suite increased profitability by attracting clients with compliance requirements and those seeking enhanced security.
ConnectWise solutions and the SIEM product has been instrumental in ECMSI’s growth and success. These tools have enabled ECMSI to meet the evolving needs of its clients, positioning the company as a leader in the IT services industry.
“Our approach to security is tailored to the needs of our clients. For example, we use the SIEM tool to aggregate logs and provide intrusion detection, allowing us to respond quickly to potential threats.”
A Future Defined by Security, Automation, and Differentiation
Looking to the future, ECMSI aims to leverage automation and workflows to further enhance its service delivery. The integration of ConnectWise PSA and other third-party tools provides a scalable and flexible platform that positions ECMSI as a leader in the region.
While other managed service providers in the area may offer basic security solutions, ECMSI’s experience and comprehensive security suite, including the SIEM tool, set it apart. This differentiation has been crucial in establishing ECMSI as a trusted provider of advanced security solutions.
“We are open to exploring newly launched solutions like ConnectWise Security360™. We are aware of its potential benefits, such as providing a unified view of all security tools and visualization to identify issues for immediate remediation.”
About ConnectWise SIEM
ConnectWise SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) is a co-managed threat detection and response platform designed to enhance security for businesses. It consolidates log data from all endpoints, networks, applications, and cloud services, including Microsoft 365, to provide comprehensive visibility and real-time alerting.
ConnectWise SIEM is designed to reduce the total cost of ownership while improving security coverage, detection, and compliance.
Key features include:
- Advanced Correlation and Real-Time Alerting: Quickly identify, investigate, and address high-priority threats.
- Scalability and Flexibility: Tailor data storage and retention to meet specific needs, making it suitable for businesses of any size.
- Enhanced Security Monitoring: Continuous monitoring and intrusion detection capabilities to detect potential threats in real-time.
- Improved Incident Management: Streamlined incident response workflows and collaboration with internal and external Security Operations Centers (SOCs).
- Regulatory Compliance: Helps meet compliance and audit requirements by providing detailed reporting and analysis.
