Tag Archives: business

Budgeting for IT Security: What Every Business Owner Needs to Know

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budgeting for IT

There is no question that businesses need to spend money to safeguard their network and data. But most business owners don’t even know where to start when it comes to budgeting for IT security. How much should you spend? What items should you include in the budget? How do you decide the division of funds between these items? Are you allocating too much or too little? All these questions are perfectly valid and, in this article, you will find the answers.

Guidelines on Budgeting Properly for IT Security

Budgeting for IT security is not something to be taken lightly. Allocating too little might leave your business vulnerable to cyber threats. On the other hand, spending too much can put you in a precarious position in terms of finances. To help you maintain a balance when allocating funds for cybersecurity, here is a sample sequence of steps you can take.

Evaluate existing vulnerabilities.

Take a close look at the security threats that your organization is currently facing. Find out which areas are at the highest risk – data protection, access points, and network security often display red flags.

Take compliance into account when Budgeting for IT.

Failure to comply with industry regulations on security can lead to hefty fines. Rather than pay thousands of dollars on penalties, it’s better to invest in security solutions that will keep you fully compliant right from the start.

Set aside funds for security infrastructure.

A solid security system consists of several tools like antivirus software, firewalls, encryption software, threat detection technologies, and so on. Each of these elements costs money and you must budget accordingly.

Allocate for employee training.

One of the oft-forgotten aspects when it comes to budgeting for IT security is the regular training of employees. Perhaps business owners expect their staff to simply learn on their own, so they don’t allot funds for it. Regular employee training, however, makes a huge difference and should therefore be a non-debatable part of the budget.

Be ready for worst-case scenarios when Budgeting for IT.

Despite having the most robust security strategies in place, the risk of becoming a cyberattack victim is always present. In case an incident does occur, you need to be ready and have adequate funds set aside for data backup systems and recovery plans.

Include funds for monitoring and auditing.

Security threats are now evolving faster than ever, which means constant monitoring and auditing are a must. The funds for this are best allocated toward a reliable MSP that will really keep a close eye on your security infrastructure and even provide assistance when it comes to making budget decisions for IT security as well as the other aspects of your business.

Conclusion on Budgeting for IT

Aside from hiring an MSP, another excellent way to make budgeting for IT security easier is to use our End-of-Year Cybersecurity Health Check Guide. This resource will give you a crystal-clear picture of the state of your security system, allowing you to easily pinpoint where your budget should go. For more information on how to budget for IT security or to learn more about how an MSP can help, give us a call. We will set up a Cybersecurity Network Consultation! Typically Valued at $2,500!

Why Co-Managed IT Is the Best Decision for Your Business

Cybersecurity, Manage Service, Technology, , , ,

Co-managed IT

IT is an integral part of any business today. It doesn’t matter if you are in an industry that seems to have nothing to do with IT, like retail, healthcare, or catering. In our technology-driven world, every business needs an efficient IT infrastructure to thrive with the help of co-managed IT.

Perhaps you have an in-house IT team, but do they have all the skills necessary to ensure your network stays in top condition? Will they be able to guarantee your data’s security amidst the rampant online threats? Can they handle specialized technology requirements? Your staff might be good but it’s unlikely they are adept in every single area of IT. This is why co-managed IT is a highly recommended choice.

Benefits of Co-Managed IT for Your Business

The list of co-managed IT benefits is quite long. Just to give you an idea of what you are missing out on, here are some of the most noteworthy.

Wider Range of Expertise

Partnering with an MSP for your IT needs gives you access to all kinds of skills and resources. These skills are things that your in-house staff might not have. When you switch to co-managed IT, you are not giving up your in-house team at all. You are simply getting external support to fill in the gaps and ensure that all technology issues are immediately fixed.

Reduced Expenses with Co-Managed IT

Adding co-managed IT services will cost your business extra. However, it won’t nearly be as much as that of fully managed services, and the payback is very much worth it. They can provide a range of cost-saving IT solutions, allowing you to allocate a bigger budget to other areas of your business.

Access to 24/7 Support

In-house staff normally work regular office hours. When something happens to your network or you need any kind of support outside these hours, you probably won’t even know until it’s too late. On the other hand, co-managed IT can include round-the-clock monitoring and support. With co-managed IT you and your staff can enjoy weekends and holidays without worrying about business matters.

Enhanced Network Security

The more layers of security your network has, the better protected it will be against cyber criminals. Your in-house team can provide the first line of defense against hackers. An MSP can take charge of deeper and more sophisticated security measures, which are sure to adhere to industry standards.

Final Thoughts on Co-Managed IT

With the right co-managed IT services provider, your IT team will have a skilled and reliable partner in managing your organization’s technology needs. Problems get resolved faster, security will be at its peak, and your business will be updated on IT advancements.

These are just a handful of the benefits that you can enjoy. Discover the many other ways that co-managed IT can help your business by checking out our Essential Guide to Co-Managed IT. We can hook you up with a co-managed IT partner that’s perfect for your needs.

Business Success: Embracing Managed Service Providers

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business success

Cutting-edge IT solutions are a top priority among businesses in today’s digital world, and it’s no big surprise. Technology continuously evolves, sometimes at a frighteningly rapid pace. You must be equipped with the latest software and hardware to achieve that business success.

Business Success: Impact of Technology Changes

There used to be a time when it was the norm for businesses to take a reactive approach to changes in technology. Businesses created and implemented IT solutions as a response to problems after these problems had already caused damage.

In recent years, the trend has shifted toward proactive solutions. Experts anticipate potential problems and implement solutions that will keep them from escalating. The more technology advances, the more potential problems might come up. Hence, to maintain high business success, it is more important than ever to engage in proactive tech solutions for businesses.

Benefits of Proactive Business Tech Solutions

Implementing proactive business tech solutions can do a lot of good for business success. Here are just some of the top benefits:

Improves Efficiency for Business Success

Business operations can run a lot more smoothly with a proactive IT solution. Business can go on as usual if downtimes decrease. These will not only improve efficiency but can also ultimately increase revenue and boost your reputation among your clients.

Reduces Costs

There will be some initial spending involved, but in the long run, the cost savings will be immeasurable. You can use our Business Excessive Spending Calculator to compare how much you would be spending before and after. With a dependable solution in place, you can avoid many expensive IT issues in the future, like system failures, extensive downtimes, or data breaches.

Boosts Work Performance

Part of proactive IT is the integration of all IT processes in your business, creating a seamless operation that will ultimately boost performance. This will speed up your systems and minimize delays, allowing your employees to maximize their productivity.

Mitigates Risks for Business Success

Proactive solutions play a role in mitigating risks and improving the overall security of your business. With non-stop monitoring, breaches or system errors will be detected and addressed quickly without disrupting operations. The system will also afford greater protection over your database and networks, keeping them safe during a cyberattack.

Allows for Scalability

Traditional business solutions can be limiting in terms of business growth. With a proactive solution, you can adapt to changing market demands. Even if you don’t have a concrete plan where you want your business to be a few years down the line, the scalability and versatility of a proactive system can easily allow growth and expansion to happen.

Business Success: Top Ways to Implement Proactive Tech Solutions

Predictive Analytics

One of the most popular proactive solutions used by businesses today is predictive analytics. In this process, experts locate patterns to predict future business trends through machine learning, AI, data analysis, and statistical models. This practice is useful in several business applications, like forecasting cash flow, sales trends, even product malfunctions, and so on.

AI-Driven Automation

Using large databases, AI-driven automation can make highly informed business decisions to address problems long before they even become an actual issue. The applications of these AI-powered solutions are endless—from identifying when a piece of hardware needs to be replaced to executing algorithms that can nullify potential cyber threats.

Cloud Computing for Business Success

Taking your business to the cloud is a proactive decision, as it eliminates multiple problems in terms of accessibility, storage, scalability, security, and even cost. Cloud computing can also be tailored to meet the specific needs of your business, which is why it is important to work closely with your IT provider, who can provide the most suitable solutions for you.

Find the Right Proactive Solutions with the Help of a Managed Service Provider

Navigating the world of IT business solutions on your own can be intimidating, which is why it is highly advisable to partner with a managed services provider that can help you. They can help achieve your goal of business success in this market.

Did you know that by keeping on using your old equipment, you might be spending more than you should? Try using our Business Excessive Spending Calculator and you’ll be surprised at how much money is unnecessarily going out of your business. You can download the calculator right here.

To learn the benefits of the Spending Calculator, be sure to watch our Webinar on demand, and find out the answer to this question: “Are you aware of what you’re paying for your IT Services?” Watch the Webinar HERE!

If you need help or have questions about managed services, call us anytime!

5 Reasons Why Businesses Do IT Staff Termination

IT staff termination
Cybersecurity, Manage Service, Security, Technology, , , ,

IT staff termination has notably increased in the last couple of years. According to Business News Daily, 37% of IT professionals were discharged, a continuing trend that began during the pandemic. This is not good for IT professionals or the companies that they work for.

For the IT staff professionals, they obviously wouldn’t want to get a termination. Besides losing money, they would also have a blemish on their professional record, which puts them back where they started when and if they were to find employment with another company. And for the employer, firing their tech guys also means back to the drawing board. They will have to look for someone new, spend money and time on training them, and possibly even experience reduced productivity from the remaining workforce.

It would be in the best interest of both parties if the IT staff termination rate went down. For this to happen, it is important to understand what causes terminations in the first place, and that will be our topic today.

5 Most Common IT Staff Termination Reasons

Performance Issues

Leading the list of IT staff termination reasons, poor performance would be a deal breaker. Incompetence in any form is a reason for getting fired. If someone gets failing marks after an IT staff performance evaluation, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if they get a notice of termination.

Breach of Company Policies

Another clear-cut reason to fire someone is if they violate company policies. The IT staff code of conduct covers a wide scope, from the proper use of company resources to following strict data security protocols. Any breach of these policies can warrant termination.

Lack of Adaptability

A competent IT professional should be able to keep up with rapidly changing technology. There must be continuous learning for IT professionals, and adapting to technological changes in IT. Their inability to do this will diminish their value to the company, and there will be no reason for them to stay on the payroll.

Communication Issues with IT Staff Leading to Termination

Many IT projects require collaboration between team members, as well as with clients or management. Because of this, many companies invest in improving communication skills for IT professionals through team-building workshops or training on IT staff communication strategies. This addition is a vital step toward minimizing potential communication issues. If, despite these efforts, the tech guys cannot step up in this area, they are likely to get fired.

Cultural Misfit

Although not as common as the other IT staff termination reasons, a cultural misfit is still a valid reason for a company to terminate their IT professional. It can be difficult for individuals to fulfill their role in the company if there is discord within the team. Here, your company would be better off finding the right IT talent for your company culture, and firing those that are not a good fit.

Choose Your IT Staff Carefully to Minimize Risk of Termination

There might be other IT staff termination reasons besides the ones above which are by far the most frequently cited. As a business owner, you must consider these reasons the next time you hire an IT professional. In addition, when hiring an IT provider, you must be sure that they pass all the criteria mentioned in the 7 Components of Auditing an IT Provider. You can download the list right here. 

Choosing the right provider will certainly reduce the need for eventual termination, and instead, it might lead to a long-lasting and fruitful professional partnership. If you need help finding the ideal IT team for your company, we can give you a hand. Call us today and we will schedule you for a free consultation!