Social media is a goldmine for marketing your MSP, networking with peers, and showing off your expertise. But it can also be a treasure chest for hackers if you’re not careful. I’ll never forget a conversation with a buddy back when I ran my MSP. He told me about a phishing attempt where the attacker used a few innocent details from one of his tech’s posts to fool a customer. Imagine that awkward follow-up: “So…you know that tweet we posted about troubleshooting the firewall at Bob’s Plumbing? Yeah, turns out that gave someone all they needed to phish Bob.” Not exactly a proud moment.
So, how do you use social media without turning it into a how-to guide for cybercriminals? Easy: stay active, stay smart, and post like the bad guys are always watching. Here’s how you can stay visible online without throwing the doors open for hackers.
What Not to Post
Client Names in Technical Posts
Look, I get it. You just conquered an impossible server issue, and you want to brag a little. But posting, “Just saved the day for Bob’s Plumbing by fixing a domain issue!” is like putting a neon sign on Bob’s office saying, “Hackers, start here!” Even if the client is thrilled, keep their name out of your tech triumphs. No one wants to be the reason their customer gets phished into oblivion.
Details About Software or Security Stack
MSPs love to talk shop, but posting specifics about your tools and security stack is like giving hackers your playbook. Announcing, “We just rolled out FortiGate firewalls across our clients’ networks,” is basically saying, “Here’s what you need to break into our clients—good luck!” Stick to broader industry advice, like, “Layered security is the way to go.” That way, you sound smart without handing out blueprints.
Complaints About Vendors or Customers
We’ve all had that customer—the one who clicks on everything, including emails promising a free yacht if you enter your banking info. But no matter how much they make your eye twitch, venting publicly is a bad idea. It’s unprofessional, it erodes trust, and it gives hackers free entertainment. If you need to rant, save it for your group chat—not LinkedIn.
Internal Processes and Security Procedures
Sharing your internal procedures might seem helpful, but it’s like giving out your secret family recipe. If you post, “We only approve password resets through a specific ticket request process,” a hacker will know exactly how to sneak past it. The same goes for any details about how your MSP runs behind the scenes. Keep the specifics to yourself and instead talk about best practices from a 30,000-foot view.
Staff Lists with Detailed Roles and Bios
Listing all your techs with their roles, bios, and love for pineapple pizza may sound friendly, but it also makes social engineering easy. Hackers love to impersonate real employees to trick clients. They’re basically playing Guess Who with your staff: “Does your tech wear glasses and love JavaScript?” Keep introductions light, and if you really want to post about employees, focus on their wins, not their life stories.
What Is Safe to Post
Customer Testimonials (With Permission)
When a customer is so happy with your work that they’re willing to tell the world, it’s a beautiful thing. But always—always—get permission first. A testimonial like, “Thanks to [Your MSP], our operations are smooth sailing,” is great. Just avoid tossing in technical details or specific projects, unless you’re really into making hackers’ jobs easier.
General Project Success Stories
Feel free to share wins like successful cloud migrations or security upgrades—just keep it vague. Something like, “Another client successfully migrated to the cloud!” gets the message across without giving cybercriminals a hint about which client to target or which cloud provider you’re using. If you need to name-drop, stick with “a customer,” “a healthcare business,” or “a total legend.”
Job Openings and Company Achievements
Got a new certification? Expanded your team? Looking to hire a rockstar tech? This is your moment—share it! Announcing milestones and job openings is not only safe but also great for attracting talent and new clients. Just don’t post anything like, “Looking to replace Jim, our top sysadmin,” unless you’re ready to explain that to Jim.
Awards and Certifications
Winning awards or earning certifications shows that your MSP is crushing it. These posts are the digital equivalent of hanging a “World’s Best MSP” mug on your desk—except with fewer accidental coffee spills. Just skip the part where you reveal which tools or vendors got you there. Announce the achievement, bask in the glory, and call it a day.
Industry Insights and Thought Leadership
Want to flex those thought leadership muscles? Go for it. Posting about industry trends, cybersecurity best practices, or tech predictions positions you as an expert. Plus, it helps build your brand without exposing anything sensitive. Just don’t turn your thought leadership into thought-too-much-sharing. Keep it general and helpful—your peers will thank you, and hackers won’t have anything to latch onto.
