As identity-based attacks surge across the board, MSPs are coming to a stark realization: identity is one of the most crucial security measures to have in today's digital landscape. If an account is breached, it’s not just bad luck—it’s an identity problem. Basic identity management solutions like MFA, access control, and privilege enforcement aren’t just best practices anymore; they’re survival tactics.
It’s a wake-up call. One compromised account can ripple out fast in an MSP environment, exposing not just one customer, but every downstream client. That’s why leaving end users with standing admin rights, or juggling outdated PAM tools, just doesn’t cut it anymore.
And that’s exactly what we explored in our recent webinar, Identity as an Attack Surface: Why MSPs Trust Evo to Enforce Least Privilege, hosted by our CEO, Michael Roth, and our Sr. Director of Sales Engineering, Dan Vaz. We dug into why legacy approaches fall short, what MSPs need from a modern solution, and how Evo is reshaping privileged access management for a world where attackers are logging in, rather than hacking.
The Alarming Stats on Identity-Based Threats
The data across the industry is painting a clear picture: identity is the most exploited attack surface today.
71% more cyberattacks now involve stolen, valid credentials (IBM-X Force)
74% of breaches involve identity (Verizon DBIR)
84% of orgs experienced an identity-related breach (IDSA)
The implication is clear: attacks are no longer forcing their way in; they're gaining access through compromised credentials. And when end users retain standing admin rights, a single breach can result in broad, rapid compromise across multiple systems and environments.
Why MSPs Are Prime Targets for Attackers
When a single end user is compromised, it can create significant risk. But when a privileged account within an MSP is breached, the consequences are exponentially greater.
MSPs typically manage access across dozens, or even hundreds, of client environments. A successful compromise doesn’t just affect one organization; it can cascade across the entire customer base. For attackers, this makes MSPs a high-value target with the potential for wide-reaching impact.
In this context, enforcing least privilege is no longer just a recommended best practice; it’s a business-critical imperative.
Where Legacy PAM Falls Short
As outlined during the webinar, traditional privileged access management (PAM) solutions were not built with MSPs in mind, and it shows.
These solutions, originally designed for large enterprises, often fail to meet the operational and technical needs of modern service providers. Common limitations include:
Lack of support for multi-tenant environments
Complex deployment and high operational overhead
Rules that are difficult to configure, test, and maintain
Minimal context for evaluating elevation requests, leaving techs guessing
The result? A costly, rigid toolset that creates more friction than value—especially for MSPs managing access across diverse customer environments.
How Evo Enforces Least Privilege, Without Added Complexity
To address the growing risk of over-privileged users—and the operational challenges of managing elevation requests at scale—Evo developed End User Elevation, a solution purpose-built for MSPs.
Unlike legacy PAM tools that rely on rigid policies and offer little context, Evo’s approach brings flexibility, security, and automation into a single, easy-to-manage platform. It’s designed to help MSPs enforce least privilege without introducing friction or complexity into their client environments.
Key capabilities include:
Learning Mode – Monitor and understand end-user behavior before enforcing policies
Rules Engine – Build clear, customizable rules for common file types like .exe and .msi
Secure Desktop Elevations – Execute elevation within a controlled and isolated session
AI-Powered Classification – Automatically assess risk and provide context for faster, smarter technician decisions
Together, these features give MSPs the tools they need to manage privilege dynamically and securely—without relying on cumbersome workarounds or opening the door to unnecessary risk. Evo End User Elevation strikes the right balance between user autonomy and administrative control, enabling MSPs to protect their environments while maintaining efficient and scalable operations.
Final Takeaway: Identity Is the New Front Door
Identity is no longer a peripheral concern—it’s a primary attack surface. As attackers continue to exploit valid credentials and over-privileged accounts, MSPs require solutions designed for their workflow: multi-tenant by nature, efficient for technicians, and robust in enforcement without compromising performance.
Securing identity across all users and environments is essential to reducing risk and maintaining trust.
And traditional tools often fall short in meeting the unique needs of MSPs: multi-tenant environments, operational efficiency, and scalable policy enforcement. Evo was built with those needs in mind.
By consolidating key identity and access management functions—privileged access, MFA, SSO, help desk verification, and more—into a single, purpose-built platform, Evo enables MSPs to enforce least privilege, streamline operations, and strengthen their overall security posture.
In a world where attackers gain access by logging in, not breaking in, Evo equips MSPs with the control, visibility, and efficiency they need to stay ahead.
