The MSPAlliance, a leading global association and certification body for Managed Service Providers (MSPs), has welcomed the passage of Texas Senate Bill 2610 (SB 2610), which goes into effect on September 1, 2025. The new lawmaking set up a cybersecurity safe harbor, shielding accomplished businesses from punitive damages in the aftermath of a data breach if they have adopted and maintained recognized cybersecurity frameworks.

The measure closely reflects recommendations outlined in MSPAlliance’s policy paper, “A Policy Approach to Comprehensive Cyber Legislation,” which urged lawmakers to reward organizations and MSPs that follow validated cybersecurity standards.

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What SB 2610 Means for Texas Businesses

SB 2610 applies to Texas-based companies with fewer than 250 employees that manage or store sensitive personal data. To qualify for safe harbor protections, businesses must demonstrate that they had an industry-standard cybersecurity program in place when a breach occurred.

The law scales requirements based on company size:

  • Under 20 employees: Must implement service line practices such as password policies and cybersecurity training.
  • 20–99 employees: Required to follow CIS Controls Implementation Group 1.
  • 100–249 employees: Expected to adopt comprehensive frameworks like NIST, ISO/IEC, or equivalent.

Cyber Verify Positioned as the Compliance Path

With the new law in place, MSPAlliance’s Cyber Verify certification provides a practical way for MSPs and their clients to meet the state’s compliance requirements. Built on global security frameworks, Cyber Verify ensures MSPs can demonstrate validated cybersecurity standards and protect their clients from additional legal exposure.

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Benefits of Cyber Verify include:

  • Legal assurance: Businesses gain protection from exemplary damages under SB 2610.
  • Recognition: Certification demonstrates adherence to the standards named in the law.
  • Competitive positioning: MSPs can differentiate themselves in the market through verified compliance.
  • Flexible adoption: Suitable for startups, small firms, and mid-sized organizations.

Texas becomes the latest state—joining Utah, Connecticut, Ohio, and Iowa—to pass safe harbor legislation designed to strengthen cybersecurity resilience while incentivizing proactive compliance.

Statement from MSPAlliance

“Texas SB 2610 validates the very framework we proposed in our Position Paper. With Cyber Verify, MSPAlliance now offers a direct path to achieving cybersecurity standards that deliver real legal protections. This makes Cyber Verify not just a certification—it is a necessity for any MSP serving Texas clients,” said Celia Weaver, president and co-founder of MSPAlliance.

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