Welcome back to the MSP Security Playbook, brought to you by Heimdal Security, the unified, AI-powered cybersecurity platform helping today’s MSPs scale smarter, operate efficiently, and lead with security at the center.

In this episode, host Jacob Hazelbaker sits down with Dean Trempelas, MSP veteran, educator, and founder of Empath, a learning and professional development platform built for service providers who want stronger people, stronger teams, and stronger outcomes.

Dean’s story spans the entire MSP journey: from a small break-fix shop to leading a 300-person division inside a private-equity-backed MSP. And the lesson he brings? Success in the MSP world isn’t about having the best tools; it’s about empowering people, building clarity, and creating environments where teams can consistently deliver great outcomes.

This episode is an honest, energising look at the human side of the MSP business. 

Elsewhere, Adam Pilton returns with a warning that hits close to home: insider threats are accelerating, from employees leaking internal dashboards at a major cybersecurity company to ransomware negotiators turning into attackers themselves. Adam breaks down why insider risk is rising, how it bypasses traditional defenses, and what MSPs must do to protect against threats from within.

If you enjoy this episode, follow the MSP Security Playbook on your favorite podcast platform, leave a review, and share it with another MSP leader looking to build stronger teams and a stronger business.

Chapter Markers:

(02:00 ) – Threat Briefing: Insider threats inside major security companies

(07:00 ) – Why process maturity beats heroics

(12:00 ) – Why MSPs take themselves too seriously and how levity builds culture

(18:00 ) – Consistency for employees: the forgotten key to retention

(24:00 ) – What consistency truly means (and what it doesn’t)

(26:00 ) – Spicy Monday: “Clarity beats capability”

(28:00 ) – MSP Hot Seat: The one lesson every leader should learn

(30:00 ) – Jacob’s Play-By-Play: Key takeaways

Useful Links:

Connect with Dean Trempelas on LinkedIn

To learn more about Empath, visit their website

Follow Jacob for more cybersecurity insights on LinkedIn

For more from Adam, connect via LinkedIn

Explore Heimdal’s platform at heimdalsecurity.com