Do Businesses Really Need Outsourced IT Companies?

Scott Starost • April 19, 2018

Do businesses really need outsourced IT companies or IT support companies to grow their business?

While an in-house IT helpdesk or support department could be more familiar with the daily happenings of your company, great IT support companies can close the gap fast. Besides, an in-house IT person, helpdesk or support team will cost a pretty penny – setting one up – maintaining it – and create additional employer overhead expenses. That’s precisely why so many organizations are turning to outsourced IT companies. Here are some of the reasons why many businesses now have outsourced IT support.

Talent Pool and Management

The number one reason why more companies are turning to Managed IT Services for technical support is that they gain access to a pool of top talent at an affordable value. When you choose to hire an in-house IT person or build a team, it’s difficult (if not impossible) to foresee what kind of talent you might need in the near future. Additionally, there costs involved to expand the skill sets of your employees. You’ll need to make sure these employees receive continued education, and you’ll also need to purchase, upgrade, and maintain a variety of hardware and software.

All of these factors are no longer the responsibility of the business when using 3rd party to support your business’s technology. In addition , adding more employees creates additional overhead expense on the business as a whole increasing employer taxes, health care costs, employee benefits, and risk.

On the other hand, a Business IT support company removes all of the additional overhead expense listed above with their services and typically cost a fraction of bringing it all in-house. As mentioned, you will have access to an entire team of IT Professionals. IT companies also known as Managed Service Providers (MSPs) have an incentive to maintain certified technicians and encourage their engineers to continually gain more certifications to be competitive. This means you’ll save money and gain access to an entire team of skilled, certified IT professionals. Here is our latest blog on 5 reasons you don’t need an in-house IT support person.

Better Security

Unless your company specializes in Information Technology (IT), there’s a very good chance that mistakes will happen – especially at first – that could create risk for your company’s information and operations. What’s more, the number of ransomware attacks is on the rise across the globe, and these can certainly leave your company vulnerable.

Many businesses still think that ransomware or being a target of hacking will not happen to them for a number of reasons. I can assure you that assumption is just wrong. Cyber Security is a threat to all businesses. With over 800 average complaints a day the annual cost to victims in 2016 was $1.33 Billion. Discover why hackers are really interested in your business.

In addition, there have been recent USA government changes to DFARS requiring government contracts to secure their business technology before 2018.

When you hire a qualified Managed IT Service Provider for Business IT support, you’ll get access to experts who understand the techniques used by hackers. See our latest scam of the week blog here. Managed IT Service providers that have developed a cybersecurity practice will discuss with you the best ways to protect your business and make your business less attractive to the bad guys. This means you’ll be far more protected from the start. Also, if a security breach should occur, these professionals’ experience will allow them to resolve those issues with minimum impact to your business and in a timely manner.

More Productivity

Running a company is hard work. You need to focus on your customers, the products, and services you offer – not the functionality of your computers, servers, or the security of your network. When you outsource your Business IT support, you and your employees will have more time to focus on the overall customer experience, which will ultimately influence your success.

The more productive your employees, the more revenue you can generate. Of course, the peace of mind that comes with having experienced professionals handling your business IT support needs is also a boost to your confidence and productivity.

A good Managed IT Services company should be meeting with you monthly and quarterly to stay aligned with your business’s needs and goals. These meetings also provide both the business owner and IT company an opportunity to provide and receive valuable feedback on the services being provided. Are you asking yourself this question? How do I pick an IT support company to support my business?

Disaster Recovery

Disaster can strike at any time and in several ways. For example, your server room could flood, your building could catch fire, or a cyber-attack could take you offline and even destroy your data. Impacts to your business such as these have a tremendous impact on your revenue or whether or not you stay in business. Fortunately, there are many technologies available that will allow you to get back on your feet quickly and not lose revenue. Great Managed IT Service Companies stay up-to-date with these technologies and will make recommendations to safeguard your corporate data. You can rest assured that your data is in good hands, even following a disaster.

Companies of all types and sizes can benefit from engaging with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) in a variety of ways. It saves you money, it provides you with 24-hour access to some of the brightest and most knowledgeable professionals in the industry, and it even frees up more of your time to focus on your customers, which helps to ensure your success.

If you would like to learn more about our FREE no-obligation network & security health check, Click Here to schedule your technology health check . An experienced business consultant will reach out to learn more about your business.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in February 2017 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

The post Do Businesses Really Need Outsourced IT Companies? appeared first on SDTEK | San Diego, CA.

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Protecting sensitive data is more critical than ever before. As cyber threats continue to rise, governments and regulatory bodies have introduced compliance frameworks to ensure businesses take appropriate measures to safeguard data. However, understanding these requirements can be overwhelming, especially since they vary by industry and location. We'll discuss some of the most common IT security compliance frameworks—such as HIPAA, CMMC, and CCPA—and explain their relevance to different industries. Whether you work in healthcare, manufacturing, or serving California residents, this guide will help you navigate the complex world of IT security compliance.

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In today’s interconnected digital landscape, cybersecurity is more than just a necessity—it's essential to business survival. Cyberattacks are becoming more frequent and evolving in sophistication, leaving companies vulnerable to data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage. A robust cybersecurity strategy is critical to safeguarding your business from these growing threats. One of the most effective ways to enhance your cybersecurity defenses is by leveraging the expertise of professional IT support services. The Importance of a Strong Cybersecurity Strategy Every business, regardless of size or industry, is a potential target for cybercriminals. The consequences of a successful cyberattack can be devastating, ranging from financial losses and operational downtime to legal liabilities and damage to your brand's reputation. This is why developing and maintaining a robust cybersecurity strategy is more important than ever. A strong cybersecurity strategy helps your business: Protect sensitive data: Safeguarding customer information, intellectual property, and financial records. Ensure compliance: Meet regulatory requirements, such as CMMC, HIPAA, and SOC2, to avoid fines and legal repercussions. Maintain business continuity: Minimizing disruptions caused by cyberattacks and ensuring quick recovery when incidents occur. Build customer trust: Demonstrating to customers and partners that their data is secure, which can lead to stronger relationships and business growth. While some businesses attempt to handle cybersecurity internally, IT support services offer a more comprehensive, proactive, and scalable approach to protecting your business. Cybersecurity Services Provided by IT Support Teams IT support services can significantly enhance your cybersecurity strategy by offering a wide range of specialized services. Here’s how they contribute to protecting your business: 1. Risk Assessments and Vulnerability Audits One of the first steps in strengthening your cybersecurity strategy is understanding where your business is most vulnerable. IT support teams conduct risk assessments and vulnerability audits to identify potential weaknesses in your network, applications, and infrastructure. These assessments provide a clear picture of your business's risks, enabling you to take targeted action to mitigate those risks. 2. Implementation of Security Protocols Once vulnerabilities are identified, IT support services implement security protocols tailored to your business’s needs. This may include: Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Establishing barriers that prevent unauthorized access to your network. Data Encryption: Ensuring that sensitive data is encrypted in transit and at rest, protecting it from cybercriminals. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adding extra authentication layers ensures that only authorized personnel can access critical systems and data. Endpoint Protection: Securing all devices (laptops, desktops, mobile phones) connected to your network from malware and other threats. Applying these and other security measures can help IT support services fortify your defenses against internal and external threats. 3. Ongoing Monitoring and Threat Detection Cyberattacks can happen at any time and often occur when businesses are least prepared. IT support services provide 24/7 monitoring to detect suspicious activity in real-time. Through advanced monitoring tools and threat intelligence, IT teams can quickly identify and respond to potential threats before they escalate into full-scale attacks. This proactive approach to monitoring reduces downtime, prevents data breaches, and minimizes the impact of cyber incidents. 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IT support services provide security awareness training to educate your staff about the latest cyber threats and best practices for staying safe online. Training employees on recognizing phishing attempts, using strong passwords, and securely handling sensitive data can dramatically reduce the likelihood of human error leading to a security breach. 6. Compliance Support For businesses in regulated industries, staying compliant with data protection regulations is not optional—it’s mandatory. IT support teams can help ensure your business meets all necessary compliance requirements, such as CMMC, HIPAA, or SOC2. This includes maintaining audit trails, ensuring data encryption, and implementing security controls to protect sensitive information. By working with IT support services, businesses can avoid costly penalties and demonstrate their commitment to protecting customer data. Conclusion A strong cybersecurity strategy is vital to any business's success in today’s digital world. By partnering with an IT support service, businesses can enhance their cybersecurity defenses through risk assessments, security protocol implementation, continuous monitoring, and employee training. These services protect data and help ensure business continuity and compliance with industry regulations. If your business wants to strengthen its cybersecurity posture, now is the time to consider working with an IT support provider. Doing so lets you stay ahead of evolving cyber threats and focus on growing your business with peace of mind. Ready To Strengthen Your Cybersecurity With SDTEK? Don't leave your business vulnerable to cyber threats. At SDTEK, we offer comprehensive IT support and managed cybersecurity services designed to protect your business and ensure seamless operations. Whether you need risk assessments, ongoing monitoring, or incident response, our team of experts is here to help. Contact SDTEK today for a free consultation and discover how we can enhance your cybersecurity strategy and safeguard your business. Protect your data, reputation, and future—partner with SDTEK now!