Tag Archives: business growth

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

Cybersecurity, Security, Technology, , , ,

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!

Maximize Business Efficiency with Managed IT Services

Cybersecurity, Manage Service, Technology, , , ,

business efficiency

The success of any business relies heavily on efficiency. Early on, it’s easy to keep operations efficient, especially when the organization is small. However, as your business expands, there will be more IT infrastructure and processes to handle, and it will simply be impossible to take care of it all on your own. It will also not be cost-efficient to hire an in-house IT team to do the job. So how do you maximize efficiency in a continuously growing business? Simple—you partner with a reliable managed network services provider.

What Are Managed Network Services?

Managed network services are technology services that a third party offers to businesses. These include a wide range of services that fall under network management, monitoring, and maintenance. Technically, companies can take care of all these procedures themselves, using an in-house IT guy or hiring outside services as needed. However, many business owners hire managed network service providers because of the business cost savings and efficiency.

Benefits of Managed Network Services for Businesses

Business Efficiency Cost Savings

The average salary of an IT professional in the US today is almost $100,000 annually. If you want to build a competent in-house tech team, you will need to have more than one of these experts in your payroll to cover the different fields of expertise. Just imagine the impact that would have on your company’s expenses. With managed network services, you pay less and improve business efficiency.

Improved Security

Cybersecurity threats that target businesses are becoming more aggressive over the years. Thus, it is more crucial than ever to have a robust security system in place. Managed network services employ the best security experts, so you will never have to worry about data breaches, system failures, or other online threats.

Enhanced Performance

Partnering with a reliable provider means you will have access to all the latest tools and features that will ensure the optimum performance of your network. Vigilant monitoring and regular maintenance will make downtime a thing of the past. Highly trained experts will identify network issues and address them with proactive solutions. All of this contributes to the overall performance of your business.

Streamlined Operations

Resolving IT issues can take up a lot of time, money, and other resources. By delegating your company’s technology matters to a managed network services provider, your staff can focus on doing the jobs that you hired them to do.

Scalability for Business Efficiency

Network requirements change frequently as a business evolves. Opening a new branch, for instance, would require massive network expansion and greater bandwidth. Handling these requirements can be demanding on your own but very easy with the help of a service provider.

Excessive Spending Calculator for Business Efficiency

The first benefit of managed network services is business cost savings. If you want a concrete idea of how much you can save with a good IT provider, our Excessive Spending Calculator can help. You can download this helpful application for free by clicking right here.

It’s so easy to use and can reveal plenty of valuable information regarding your company’s spending. This handy app can point out areas of inefficiency, uncover hidden costs, and help you identify potential business cost savings. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to optimize your network infrastructure and stay ahead of the competition.

If you want to learn more about managed network services and how they can help maximize your company’s efficiency, call us. We’ll be happy to answer your questions in a free consultation!

The Role of Technology in Businesses in 2023

Technology in Businesses in 2023
Cybersecurity, Manage Service, Security, Technology, , , , , , ,

Technology has always played a key role in businesses across different industries in 2023. But recently, this role has grown even more because IT is used more and more in businesses around the world. To draw more customers and stay ahead of the competition, you should understand all the changes and use them to your advantage.

Technology Trends in Businesses to Look Out for in 2023

grow your business in 2023

Many trends in technology are useful in growing businesses in 2023, as discussed in our first blog this month, 8 Ways Technology Will Grow Your Business in 2023. You don’t need to use all of them – just take your pick depending on your industry and the nature of your business. There are some kinds of technology, however, that can add value to just about every industry, like the following:

Artificial Intelligence

Commonly used today for online shopping, digital assistants, and fraud prevention, AI can make your operations faster and more efficient while freeing up a lot of time and other resources for your business.

Cloud Computing

Cloud-based solutions virtually take away the boundaries to how you operate your business. It gives you access to software, infrastructure, and other resources you could only dream of before.

Automation

So many processes that used to be done manually are now automated through technology in businesses, especially in 2023. This transition speeds up operations, reduces the risk of human error, and makes for a much better customer experience.

Internet of Things

Now that software, sensors, and other things can connect almost everything, we are living in the age of connectivity. The IoT provides many ways for businesses to save time and increase efficiency, but it also opens up new security risks, so we must exercise due caution.

Vendor Management Technology in Businesses in 2023

Working with vendors is a more complicated task than many assume. To reduce risks, you need to keep costs low and get the most out of your vendors. With the aid of a good VMS, all this is possible without breaking a sweat.

The Importance of Cybersecurity Technology in Businesses in 2023

importance of cybersecurity in 2023
Technology Trends for CybersecurityAs technology in businesses advances in 2023, so does the risk of online threats. For this reason, it is more important than ever to protect your business with a dependable cybersecurity solution.

As we talked about in our blog post on week 2, Top 8 Technology Trends and How They Impact Cybersecurity, each current technology trend has its own impact on cybersecurity. Some are good, and some are not so good. You can read more about it by checking out our blog here.

Perks of Working with a Managed Service Provider

Changing your IT provider

Staying updated on all the changes in technology in businesses can be tiresome in 2023. Typically, business owners would not have the time to do it themselves. But there is a way to enjoy the benefits of technology for your business—by partnering with a managed services provider.

If you currently already have an IT provider but are not always happy about the service you are getting, it might be time to make a change. Changing your MSP is a bold move that must not be taken lightly. In our week 3 blog entitled When Is It Time to Change Your IT Provider? we list some signs that tell you to find a new provider.

A reliable MSP can give you all that IT offers and make it work for your business, just like we do at Our Company. We can provide everything from simple IT consultation to business automation, vendor management, cybersecurity, and anything technology-related that can help grow your business.

One of our areas of expertise is vendor management. This is quite an underrated aspect of business that needs more attention as it deals with crucial business expenses that impact growth. Click here for more about our vendor management services and how they can benefit your business.

When Is It Time to Start Changing Your IT Provider?

Changing your IT provider
Cybersecurity, Manage Service, Security, Technology, , , , , , ,

Changing your IT provider is not an exciting task. Finding a new one can be stressful. You need to find one that will serve your needs to the highest standards and that you can trust to keep your best interests at heart. Because of the difficulties, many companies choose to slug it out with the one they have even though they are no longer satisfied with the services they are getting.

For some businesses, this kind of setup might still be manageable. But what if your company is already taking losses because of poor service, and you don’t even realize it? How do you know if changing your IT provider is already a must? Here are five signs that you should look out for.

No Dedicated IT Team

When working with an IT provider or managed services provider, you should have a contact person or team you can work with. This plan contrasts with just relying on whoever answers your call. A dedicated team would understand your business and your corporate goals and know how to tie it up with the right IT services to produce the best results.

No Monthly Contract

If you need to pay your provider by the hour, or for every time you require their services, this will not be very economical for your business. When they do not address the problem, and you would need to call them again and pay them again, it makes little sense. You should change your IT provider to one that offers a fixed monthly contract, regardless of how many times you call them.

Use of Outdated Resources

Technology changes constantly. Just because the software or equipment your provider initially used was innovative at the time doesn’t mean that it won’t need to be replaced. A good MSP knows to upgrade resources so that the service they give you is always better or, at the very least, at par with current industry standards.

Inadequate Data Security is A Sign to Start Changing Your IT Provider

Cybersecurity can never be emphasized enough, especially in the world of business nowadays. The threats are getting more rampant and dangerous each day, and companies need to be vigilant. Switch If you feel that your IT provider is not giving you the best cybersecurity solutions your business requires. It doesn’t matter how much they excel in other aspects. It’s not worth it if your business does not have protection.

Changing Your IT Provider Who Is Slow to Respond

When you contact your IT provider, they should give you a prompt response. Every second wasted during a critical network issue or system failure can cost your business greatly. They should at least communicate clearly with you regarding the issue and their proposed solution for a problem.

Final Thoughts on Changing Your IT Provider

The temptation of staying with your current provider can be strong. At least you already know their limitations rather than take the risk on a new provider altogether, right? But then, this would mean continuing to take losses, waste resources, and miss out on great business opportunities.

If you are considering changing your IT provider, Our company is ready and capable of taking over. We have a wide range of managed services for many different industries.  We’d be happy to be your IT partner. To learn more about the services we offer, click here.

If you’re looking for help managing your vendors, download our Free Infographic for helpful tips. You can also call us so that we can discuss the best IT solutions for your business.