Identity First Security For MSPs (EP 990)
I sat down with Mike Wise from Clockwork Networks and we got into what it really looks like to run a lean, highly efficient MSP without chasing headcount. We covered niching, compliance, and how smart standardization can outperform traditional growth models.
Mike Wise runs Clockwork Networks as a one-man MSP, and he’s doing it intentionally. This wasn’t about staying small because he had to—it’s about building a business around efficiency, standardization, and control. We talked through how he niched into tax professionals and compliance-heavy clients, and how that decision simplified everything from tooling to service delivery.
We also got into security, specifically identity-first approaches and passkeys. Mike shared how leaning into Microsoft Entra ID and eliminating passwords has helped prevent real-world attacks. This is one of those conversations that challenges the idea that growth always means hiring more people. Sometimes growth means doing less, better.
Chapters:
- 00:00 Opening, conference recap, and swag winner
- 07:07 ThreatLocker, sponsors, and event takeaways
- 13:31 Introducing Mike Wise and Clockwork Networks
- 20:27 Solo MSP by choice and staying intentionally small
- 25:09 Finding a profitable niche with tax pros and compliance-heavy clients
- 30:36 Compliance realities, WISPs, and non‑negotiables for clients
- 36:10 Pricing, “all‑in” services, backups, and where MSPs leave money on the table
- 39:23 Standardizing tools, Entra ID, and identity‑first security
- 43:16 Passkeys, Evil Jinx, and stopping modern phishing attacks
- 49:15 Building and running the “Nerd Cave” MSP peer group
- 55:47 Final security mindset takeaways and closing remarks
Guests: Mike Wise, Clockwork Networks
- Website: https://clockworknetworks.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thatmikewise/
Florida Man Stories
- Naked Florida man robs meat market wearing only a face covering: https://linkly.link/2gcOQ
- Florida Man hides in tanning bed after trying to set gym on fire: https://linkly.link/2gcOR
- Birthday Suite Bandie - Naked man arrested trying to break into house: https://linkly.link/2gcOS
N-Able Empower 26 News
- https://www.n-able.com/press/press-releases/n-able-makes-uem-ai-native-with-mcp-server-launch
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260414320263/en/N-able-Accelerates-Recovery-Time-After-Critical-Events-with-Disaster-Recovery-as-a-Service
Shout-outs
- Mary Katherine Revels, N-able: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-katherine-revels-9913b3119/
- Kim Ceccini, N-able: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-cecchini/
- Tiffany Bova, Salesforce / Author: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanibova/
- Vikram Ramesh, N-able: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikramesh/
- Marcus Hutchins, Security Researcher: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malwaretech/
- Mike DePalma, OpenText: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldepalma1/
- Jason Miller, Unbound Digital: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-miller-32a03530/
Companies / Vendors / Products Mentioned
- OpenText: https://www.opentext.com
- Unbound Digital: https://unbounddigital.com
- Microsoft (Entra ID / Microsoft 365 / OneDrive / SharePoint): https://www.microsoft.com
- Salesforce: https://www.salesforce.com
- Gartner: https://www.gartner.com
- Business Wire: https://www.businesswire.com
- Simply Wall St: https://simplywall.st
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