r/msp Launch Post — DRAFT v1
Last updated: 2026-03-09
Post Title Options (pick one):
Option A (problem-focused):
I built a tool that generates external security reports for client cyber insurance audits — looking for feedback from MSPs
Option B (show-don't-tell):
Scanned 50 MSP client domains to test external attack surface — here's what I found (and the tool I built)
Option C (direct value):
Free tool: Generate a client-ready external security report in 60 seconds — no agent, no install
Recommendation: Option A or B. Option C feels too salesy for r/msp's culture.
Post Body — Draft
Hey r/msp,
I've been lurking here for a while and noticed the same pain point coming up over and over: cyber insurance audits are getting brutal, and clients expect you to produce evidence of their external security posture — not just check boxes on a questionnaire.
The enterprise tools (BitSight, SecurityScorecard, UpGuard) cost $20K+/year. The internal scanners (ConnectSecure, Galactic) require agents or a sales call. And manually checking DNS, SSL, headers, email auth for every client? Nobody has time for that.
So I built something.
What it does:
You enter a domain. It scans:
- DNS health — DNSSEC, nameserver config, zone issues
- SSL/TLS — cert validity, chain issues, weak ciphers
- HTTP security headers — CSP, HSTS, X-Frame-Options, etc.
- Email security — SPF, DKIM, DMARC configuration
- Open ports — what's exposed to the internet
- Subdomain discovery — forgotten assets, shadow IT
60 seconds later, you get a PDF report with a security score and specific remediation steps — written in plain English your client (or their insurance auditor) can understand.
No agent install. No sales call. No per-seat licensing. Just pay per scan.
Why I built it:
I kept hearing from MSP friends that the insurance conversation was getting harder. Insurers want proof — screenshots, reports, evidence. Not "trust me, we've got it covered."
But every tool that does external scanning is either:
- Enterprise-priced (UpGuard = $79/vendor/month, BitSight = "call us")
- Internal-only (ConnectSecure is great but it's looking at the inside, not what's exposed externally)
- Requires a sales call (Galactic Advisors)
I wanted something I could point at a domain and get a professional report in under a minute.
Pricing:
- 5 free scans — no credit card, just try it
- $99/month for 100 scans (~$0.99/scan)
- Scales from there if you need more
For context: scanning 50 clients once costs you $49.50 with us. UpGuard would charge ~$3,950/month for the same coverage.
What I'm looking for:
Honest feedback. I'm not here to pitch — I want to know:
- Is the report actually useful? Does it surface things you didn't already know? Is it clear enough to hand to a client?
- What's missing? Any scans you wish it did that it doesn't?
- Would you actually use this? For onboarding? QBRs? Insurance prep?
Drop a comment if you want to try it — I'll DM you a link to run 5 free scans on your clients' domains.
Screenshots:
[INSERT: Screenshot of sample report cover page]
[INSERT: Screenshot of DNS findings section]
[INSERT: Screenshot of email security (SPF/DKIM/DMARC) section]
[INSERT: Screenshot of overall score breakdown]
Thanks for reading. Happy to answer any questions.
— [Your name / handle]
Post Notes:
Tone:
- Humble, not salesy
- "I built this" not "we're launching"
- Asking for feedback, not announcing a product
- Show real value (screenshots) before asking for anything
What to prepare before posting:
- Screenshots — Scan a real domain (maybe a well-known company or your own test domain), capture the report sections
- Landing page — Make sure it's polished, loads fast, explains value in 5 seconds
- Free scan flow — Must work flawlessly. No credit card. No friction.
- Be ready to reply — First 2 hours are critical. Respond to every comment personally.
Timing:
- Best days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
- Best time: 9–11 AM EST (MSPs checking Reddit before client calls)
- Avoid: Monday (too busy), Friday (checked out), weekends (dead)
Expected responses to prepare for:
"How is this different from [X]?"
Great question. [X] focuses on [internal/requires agents/enterprise pricing]. We're specifically built for external attack surface at MSP-friendly pricing. No agents, no install, pay per scan.
"What about false positives?"
We tune for signal over noise. The report shows what's actually exposed and why it matters — not a panic list of everything that could theoretically be a problem.
"Can I white-label this?"
Yes — you can add your MSP branding to the PDF reports. [If not ready yet: "Coming in the next few weeks."]
"Is there an API?"
Yes, fully API-first. You can integrate scans into your own workflows or PSA.
"$99/month seems cheap, what's the catch?"
No catch. We charge per scan, not per seat or per vendor. If you only scan 50 clients once a month, you're paying for 50 scans. Simple.
Alternate Angle: "I scanned 50 domains, here's what I found"
This version leads with data, not product:
Title: I scanned 50 random SMB domains for external security issues — here's what I found
Body:
Ran an external attack surface scan on 50 SMB domains (mix of clients, prospects, random companies) to see what's actually exposed. Some findings:
- 72% had SPF records but no DMARC enforcement (p=none or missing entirely)
- 34% had SSL cert issues (expiring <30 days, weak ciphers, chain problems)
- 28% were missing basic security headers (no HSTS, no CSP)
- 18% had unexpected open ports (RDP, old SSH, random high ports)
- 12% had DNSSEC disabled on domains that should have it
The scariest part? Most of these companies would pass a checkbox insurance questionnaire.
I built the scanner myself — happy to share it if anyone wants to run their own clients through it. Takes about 60 seconds per domain, outputs a PDF you can hand to a client or use for insurance documentation.
Anyone else seeing similar patterns in their client base?
Why this works:
- Leads with interesting data, not a pitch
- Positions you as someone who discovered something, not someone selling something
- Invites discussion before revealing the tool
- "Happy to share" is softer than "check out my product"
Final Checklist Before Posting:
- [ ] Screenshots prepared (4–5 key report sections)
- [ ] Landing page live and polished
- [ ] Free scan flow tested end-to-end
- [ ] White-label option working (or clear "coming soon")
- [ ] API docs live (for the devs who ask)
- [ ] Responses drafted for common questions
- [ ] Block 2 hours post-launch to reply to every comment
- [ ] Have 3–5 friends upvote early (but don't overdo it — r/msp mods are sharp)
This draft is ready to refine once we have real scan screenshots and the product is live.
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