No Asshole Policy for MSP Clients (975)

Live from Zero Trust World 2026, I sit down with Cobalt’s own Ian Dunstan to unpack how he transformed a small break‑fix shop into a security‑first MSP that clients happily pay more for. We talk zero trust, ThreatLocker, managed services, and why drawing a hard line on culture and client behavior might be the most powerful business decision you make this year.​

Why listen

• Hear how Ian “ripped up” his IT business and rebuilt a modern MSP offering from the ground up.​
• Learn how to move legacy clients onto a security‑driven stack with Kaseya, Datto, Microsoft 365, EDR, and MDR.​
• Get practical ideas for packaging services into one top‑tier managed services plan instead of bronze/silver/gold.​
• Understand how ThreatLocker fits into a Zero Trust strategy and how to roll it out without losing your mind.​​
• Hear real‑world perspective on the UK Cyber Security Resilience Bill, Cyber Essentials, and what rising compliance expectations mean for MSPs.​​
• Steal Ian’s “no asshole policy” and “pain per pound” concept to protect your team and profits from toxic clients.

Mentioned in the Show

• Two Locks and a Cox (rugby podcast): https://open.spotify.com/show/2-locks-and-a-cox (best match; verify)
• Talking Tech Beyond the Buzzwords: https://cobalt.so/news/talking-tech-beyond-the-buzzwords (landing from Cobalt)
• EOS – Entrepreneurial Operating System: https://www.eosworldwide.com
• Zero trust security: https://www.cisa.gov/zero-trust-maturity-model

Guests

• Ian Dunstan — Cobalt Business IT and Comms | https://cobalt.so | https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-dunstan-107bb36

Shout-outs

• Sarah Cox, Two Locks and a Cox (rugby podcast co‑host): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-locks-and-a-cox-from-devons-radio-exe/id1693283493|
• Ben Lee, Two Locks and a Cox (rugby podcast co‑host, retired Premiership rugby player): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-locks-and-a-cox-from-devons-radio-exe/id1693283493|
• Chris Thomas, Cobalt Business IT and Comms / Talking Tech Beyond the Buzzwords: https://cobalt.so|

Companies / Vendors Mentioned

• Kaseya | https://www.kaseya.com 
• Datto (a Kaseya company) | https://www.datto.com
• Cyber Essentials | https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberessentials/overview|
• Cyber Essentials Plus | https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberessentials/overview|
• Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) | https://www.sra.org.uk
• Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | https://www.fca.org.uk
• Cyber Security Resilience Bill (UK) | https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/cyber-security-and-resilience-bill
• EOS – Entrepreneurial Operating System | https://www.eosworldwide.com

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=== SHOW MUSIC: 

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=== Connect with Uncle Marv

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