ThirdTier Amy

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103 Following
1.6K Posts
Lover of all things SMB IT. Blog, writer, speaker, trainer, peer groups, papers and Microsoft 365. Owner of Third Tier and Sell My MSP. Microsoft MVP for 18 years - so far. When I'm not doing that, it's sailing, gardening, hiking, photography and just generally being outdoors.
Websitehttps://thirdtier.net
LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/in/amybabinchak
Newsletterhttps://mailchi.mp/thirdtier/small-business-tech-news

Speak to your client about Shadow AI

Here's what to say about shadow AI and why it matters for your client’s security. Then adjust your MSP package to include the solution.

https://www.thirdtier.net/2026/06/25/speak-to-your-client-about-shadow-ai/

Speak to your client about Shadow AI

Here's what to say about shadow AI and why it matters for your client’s security. Then adjust your MSP package to include the solution.

Next in the series of redesigning your MSP for the next 10 years.

https://www.thirdtier.net/2026/06/21/taming-shadow-ai-before-it-tames-you/

Taming Shadow AI Before It Tames You

Discover how automation can be misleading. Understand the true needs for the MSP of the future and the role of Shadow AI.

Blog series on speaking to clients. Don't let the opportunity pass to have a conversation.
https://www.thirdtier.net/2026/06/16/speak-to-your-clients-about-insecure-usb-drives/
Speak to Your Clients About Insecure USB Drives

Learn how to speak to clients about USB drive security and the risks of using unsecured thumb drives during manufacturing.

Examples for using AI effectively; Cowork GA's; Another client talker; Securing Claud AI and Shadow Admins; and KnowBe4 tops Microsoft's chart and more

Taming Shadow AI Before It Tames You

Discover how automation can be misleading. Understand the true needs for the MSP of the future and the role of Shadow AI.

https://www.thirdtier.net/2026/06/21/taming-shadow-ai-before-it-tames-you/

Taming Shadow AI Before It Tames You

Discover how automation can be misleading. Understand the true needs for the MSP of the future and the role of Shadow AI.

Speak to Your Clients About Insecure USB Drives

How to talk to your client about the problem with cheap USB drives: USB keys, AKA thumb drives, are being hacked during manufacturing in China. We're recommending that anyone who doesn't need them destroy the ones they have. And for everyone that does need one, we can purchase secure models. Those are expensive, over $100 each. We'll need to find out who really needs them and who can simply use OneDrive to move files around.

https://www.thirdtier.net/2026/06/16/speak-to-your-clients-about-insecure-usb-drives/

Speak to Your Clients About Insecure USB Drives

Learn how to speak to clients about USB drive security and the risks of using unsecured thumb drives during manufacturing.

Reminder July 1 M365 price increases! Social engineers target your interest in AI; Microsoft released historically large update for Win 11. Was is Mythos? https://link.publicate.it/pub/8f12d205cc9a44

New article drop. It might suprise some of you that I think you should scrap your duplicate policies and use these instead. I explain why inside.

https://petri.com/microsoft-365-baseline-security-mode-not-a-flip-switch/

Why Microsoft 365 Baseline Security Mode Isn't a Flip Switch

The secure-by-default model makes sense, but most tenants still need dependency cleanup, policy rationalization, and tighter exception control.

Petri IT Knowledgebase

I'll be speaking at this conference as part of a panel that's about M&A but actually not. It's about running a great MSP. I have a discount code you can attend at 75% off -- it's THIRDTIER. Use it when you register at

Registration: smbonlineconference.com
brings registration to $99!

Email threats are probably how your cilent is going to lose money to criminals are get their identity stolen. You need to talk to them about this important issue. Do it at your next meeting. Here's how

https://www.thirdtier.net/2026/05/19/speak-to-your-clients-about-email-threats/

Speak To Your Clients About Email Threats

Learn how to speak to clients about email threats and the rise of credential harvesting techniques in modern attacks.