Acronis & CyberCert partner to streamline SMB cybersecurity

Acronis has announced a partnership with CyberCert to enhance cybersecurity certification pathways for Australian managed service providers (MSPs) and their small and midsize business (SMB) clients.

The collaboration will enable MSPs in Australia to support their clients' pursuit of the SMB1001 international cybersecurity certification by leveraging Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, which has been validated by CyberCert against all levels of the standard. This approach offers MSPs a single, integrated platform for cyber protection and compliance requirements.

Through this partnership, MSPs gain access to a suite of tools, including backup, recovery, endpoint protection (EDR/XDR/MDR), remote monitoring and management (RMM), email security, patch management, vulnerability assessment, and Microsoft 365 security posture management. The integration is designed to allow MSPs to identify gaps, implement controls, and accelerate certification timelines efficiently while minimising the need for multiple vendors or tools.

Certification and compliance

SMB1001 certification is an international standard created for small and midsize businesses and recognised by insurers, enterprises, and governments. Achieving certification demonstrates a company's cybersecurity posture and is seen as an advantage for SMBs seeking to meet the expectations of supply chains, insurers, and government policy. The Australian Federal Government's Cybersecurity Strategy (2023-2030) Horizon 2 specifically calls for strengthened SMB resilience, highlighting the relevance of compliance initiatives.

Ryan Ettridge, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of CyberCert, commented on the partnership:

"Our mission has always been to make cybersecurity achievable and certifiable for SMBs without unnecessary complexity. With Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, MSPs now have a single platform validated against SMB1001 - turning certification into a practical, streamlined process that benefits service providers, insurers, and SMBs alike."

With the validation from CyberCert, MSPs can pursue certification with confidence and proceed knowing the technical controls provided through Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud meet the requirements of SMB1001 at all levels.

Streamlining technology requirements

The process of certification has traditionally involved implementing a wide array of separate technologies to meet compliance standards. The new approach allows Australian-based MSPs to address cybersecurity risks and compliance needs from a unified platform.

Gerald Beuchelt, Chief Information Security Officer at Acronis, said:

"This collaboration empowers Australian-based MSPs to deliver enterprise-grade cybersecurity and certification in the most accessible way for SMBs. By aligning our integrated cyber protection platform with SMB1001 certification, we're giving MSPs a powerful tool to deliver measurable business outcomes - not just technology."

MSPs will also have access to Acronis Academy, which offers security awareness training, business training, and product certifications, supporting ongoing professional development within the sector.

Implications for MSPs and SMBs

According to details shared by Acronis and CyberCert, the partnership offers a shorter time-to-certification, as integrated controls eliminate the need for multiple vendors. Certified SMBs are expected to benefit from greater competitiveness, supply chain recognition, and improved access to cyber insurance due to demonstrable standards compliance. For MSPs, certification services can generate new revenue streams and strengthen ongoing relationships with clients.

MSPs interested in commencing their clients' certification journey can take advantage of Acronis-sponsored CyberCert Gold credits, allowing them to certify clients using the integrated solution.

Market context

As cybersecurity threats evolve and regulatory scrutiny increases, Australian businesses face greater expectations from insurers and governments to demonstrate cyber resilience. Certification frameworks like SMB1001 have emerged to offer clear benchmarks for organisations to assess and verify their cybersecurity postures.

The partnership between Acronis and CyberCert directly aligns with calls from the Australian Federal Government for strengthened security standards among SMBs and expands the resources available to MSPs seeking to support their clients in meeting contemporary compliance standards.