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Cybersecurity, IT Support, Managed IT Services

What type of security does my business need?

What type of security does my business need?

Let’s explore the differences between Information Security, Network Security and Cyber Security and why they are all important for your business’ safety.

As more companies digitalise their assets, they turn to security measures to protect themselves, and as the cybercrime landscape continues to evolve, so do these security measures.

IT Security is a broad term that encompasses different areas and is often used interchangeably with Cyber Security. The two are actually quite different. While these terms all focus on protecting your personal or business’ valuable assets, they approach the task from different angles.

Information Security

Information security is about protecting both physical and digital data from unauthorised access, use, modification, recording, disclosure or destruction. Information security is where your company should start when protecting itself and aims to keep all your company’s data secure. Network Security and Cyber Security are part of this that look at protecting only your digital data.

Broadly, Information Security risks include access, destruction and availability of data.

Network Security

Network Security protects the usability and integrity of your network and data using different hardware and software. This targets a variety of threats and stops them from entering or spreading on your network, typically by using virus protection and a firewall. It also secures data that is travelling across the network by terminals.

Network threats include viruses, worms and trojans, denial of service attacks and zero-day attacks.

Cyber Security

Cyber Security is the area of Information Security that deals with protecting your company’s digital assets on the cloud, networks, computers, mobile devices and the Internet of Things (IoT), as well as any other digital data your company has, from unauthorised access, attack or damage from digital attacks. Businesses can do this through a range of defence processes, technologies and practices. Cyber Security also encompasses incident response plans so you can contain the threat as quickly as possible and minimise any damage because, let’s face it, no security is perfect, especially with how fast attacks can occur and how complex they can be.

Cyberthreats include ransomware, social engineering, malware and phishing.

Where does your business stand?

Pretty much all businesses have Network Security, which is a great start, but unfortunately, it is no longer enough. If your business has data that cybercriminals want, they will get it and all it takes is one accidental click of a phishing link for your systems to be taken over.

Even if you believe your business will never be hit by a security breach, you must ensure your IT infrastructure is secured at all times as, according to Astra, nearly 43 per cent of cyberattacks are targeted at small to medium-sized enterprises. Of this, only 14 per cent are prepared to face an attack. From a business perspective, an attack exposes your company to fines, data losses and damage to your reputation.

With more and more of our lives moving online, we are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks that can compromise our personal information or even our financial security. It’s important to recognise that Network Security is just one part of a comprehensive Information Security and Cyber Security strategy, meaning you cannot simply rely on firewall and virus protection for your business as they aren’t enough to stop hackers from breaching your business.

Cyber Security is crucial to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for several reasons:

  • Limited resources: SMEs often have limited resources to devote to Cyber Security, making them more vulnerable to attacks. They may not have dedicated IT staff or the budget to invest in robust security measures.
  • High risk: SMEs are a prime target for cyberattacks because they often hold valuable customer data and financial information. Hackers know that SMEs may have weaker security measures in place, making them an easier target.
  • Reputational damage: A cyberattack can have a devastating impact on your business’ reputation. If sensitive customer data is compromised, it can erode trust and lead to a loss of business.
  • Legal and financial implications: SMEs may face legal and financial consequences if they are found to violate data privacy laws or regulations. They may also be subject to fines or legal action if they fail to adequately protect customer data.
  • Supply chain risks: SMEs may be part of a larger supply chain, and a breach at any point in the chain can have ripple effects throughout the network.
  • Continuous threats: Cyber threats are constantly evolving and small and medium-sized businesses may not have the resources to keep up with the latest security measures or invest in new technology.

It’s also important to recognise that Cyber Security is a constantly evolving field. As new technologies emerge and cyber threats become more sophisticated, staying up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices in Cyber Security is important. This might involve investing in training and education for your staff, as well as partnering with trusted Cyber Security experts to help you stay on top of emerging threats.

A great guideline to follow is the CIA Triad of Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability. These are crucial components of information security.

  • C – Confidentiality: ensuring information is inaccessible to unauthorised people, usually through encryption, IDs and passwords, two-factor authentication and other defence strategies.
  • I – Integrity: safeguarding information and systems from being modified by unauthorised people to make sure the protected data is accurate and trustworthy.
  • A – Availability: ensuring that authorised people have access to the information when needed, which means maintaining all systems, keeping them updated, and ensuring they’re regularly being backed to safeguard against disruptions or data loss.

When you start your company’s security plan, you’ll also want to create it alongside any governance frameworks established, such as Essential Eight defined by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC).

Your company must adopt a more holistic and integrated approach to security to encompass network, cloud and endpoint — detection and response — security. All these processes become quite complex and confusing, so it might be best to start outsourcing your IT systems and security to an external team, keeping in mind that many managed service providers are not specialised in Cyber Security, so you may have to use two separate companies or look for one that is both.

If you have one, ask your Managed Service Provider (MSP) if there are implementing any Cyber Security practices to protect your business, such as the Essential Eight framework recommended by the Australian Government. A proactive approach allows for early warning of potential threats and attacks which then allows the MSP to respond quickly to stop the attack before they cause any trouble.

How does Pronet help?

Pronet Technology is an MSP specialising in Cyber Security, which is one area that differentiates us from other managed service providers. Oftentimes, you find that these are two separate businesses, an MSP and Cyber Security specialist, and while these days MSPs might incorporate some Cyber Security practices in your business like two-factor authentication, our difference is that this field is something we have been working in for years.

We have the experience and knowledge to recommend your business tailored suggestions to improve your Cyber Security, without being ‘over-serviced’ with products and strategies you don’t need. As one of our new clients said about their Cyber Security:

“I think it’s something that without a doubt, it’s important, but for a company like ours, do we need to go to the extreme? No.”

Unfortunately, we have found that most companies are not well equipped for cyberattacks and are still not convinced of the importance of doing so. While they are aware of cybercrime, they are simply not prepared, with 90 per cent of attacks still being successful due to human error, according to My Business. With Pronet, you can be rest assured that you’re well protected for when a cyberattack happens, because let’s face it, they do, and no MSP should be promising that it won’t, and that your business operations are either unaffected or minimally affected when something occurs.

Being both an MSP and a Cyber Security company allows for seamless management of IT systems and means there is no unaccountability or miscommunication between two separate companies. Pronet ensures the problems get 100 per cent fixed as we’re dedicated to finding and eliminating the problem at the core. Due to the nature of Cyber Security, we also constantly monitor your systems so that threats are picked up before they happen.

It is incredibly important to recognise the difference between the different types of Information Security and the roles they play in protecting valuable assets. While Network Security is important, it’s just one part of a comprehensive Cyber Security strategy that encompasses all digital assets. By understanding the different types of security measures and how they work together, you can help ensure that your assets are protected from both physical and digital threats. So, take your Cyber Security seriously and invest in the necessary measures to keep your assets and information safe.

IT Support, Managed IT Services

Are MSP Contracts Flexible?

Are MSP Contracts Flexible?

Managed Service Provider contracts are a popular choice for businesses that want to outsource their IT needs. One question that often comes up when considering an MSP contract is whether they are flexible enough to meet the unique needs of your business.

The pandemic has driven the need for clients wanting flexibility and wanting to steer clear from long-term commitments. That doesn’t mean they don’t want long-term relationships with vendors, they do, they just want flexibility in the contracts.

As a business owner, you know that flexibility is key to success. Your business needs to be able to adapt to changing circumstances and your IT needs should be no different. MSP contracts are designed to be flexible, allowing you to customise your service plan to meet your specific needs.

MSPs no longer need multi-year service contracts in place, instead, what they are depending on is the length of their relationship with their clients. As a business, you’re looking to stick with your outsourced IT service provider for as long as possible as it can be a great hassle to search for and then switch providers. An MSP is relying on this so they should be giving you the level of service your company needs and helping your business grow. This is why they don’t need to lock you into long contracts as you should be willing to stay with them for as long as possible.

Long-term relationships are built on trust where you both share wins and work through losses. If your MSP is honest and willing to work with you on your challenges, you’re hardly going to up and leave for another IT provider. 

That being said, some MSPs offer month-to-month contracts while others offer longer, yearly or two-year plans paid monthly or yearly. Discuss this with the MSP you’re looking into if that’s a major concern for you. Keep in mind that you really don’t want to be changing managed service providers regularly.

Another way MSP contracts can be flexible is by offering a range of pricing models that might be valuable to different customers. A long-term contract might suit one business, but another might find value in a month-to-month, no-commitment type of contract that has a higher pricing point. An MSP might offer discounts for long-term contracts or even higher upfront costs with lower monthly fees. There are a range of ways that MSPs can be flexible with their pricing, so double-check with your MSP if they can tailor your plan to one that suits you.

One of the benefits of an MSP contract is that you can choose the level of service that best suits your business. Whether you need basic IT support or more advanced services like Cyber Security and cloud computing, an MSP can offer a range of options to meet your needs.

Additionally, MSP contracts can be tailored so that the services offered fit your budget. You don’t have to pay for services you don’t which means that you can get the services you need without breaking the bank. Take cloud computing services, for example. You could be offered cost-effective solutions like paying for what you use or the MSP scaling the price up or down when you need to work between public and private cloud services.

If you’re already working with an MSP, ask them if there are any new services they are now providing new customers that might now benefit your business.

MSP contracts also offer flexibility when it comes to scalability. As your business grows, your IT needs will likely grow as well, whether that be with more powerful software or hardware or with proactive Cyber Security practices that prevent your data from being stolen. MSP contracts are designed to be flexible enough to accommodate your changing needs, whether that means adding new services, upgrading existing services or scaling back services that are no longer necessary.

Another benefit of MSP contracts is that they can be customised to fit the unique needs of your business. MSPs are acutely aware of how different each business is and should not be offering a one-size-fits-all contract for each of their clients. They should work closely with your business to understand its needs and develop a customised service plan that meets those needs. This means that you can get the exact services you need to keep your business running smoothly. That also means being honest with you about services, software or hardware your business doesn’t need.

Keep in mind that you’re still working with another business so there will be negotiations, notice periods and levels of software and hardware they demand your business have, or eventually have, for them to want to work with you, but there are ways for your MSP to offer your business flexibility without compromising their business.

So, while an MSP might not offer flexibility in one area, it might provide your business with the flexibility you’re after in another. How do you get that? Ask. As mentioned, MSPs depend on building long-term relationships with their clients, so see how they can tailor their services to your business, while also keeping in mind they can’t compromise on everything as, they too, are a business.

MSP contracts are incredibly flexible and can be tailored to meet the unique needs of your business. Whether you need basic IT support or more advanced services, MSPs can offer a range of options to meet your needs. And with the ability to customise your contract to fit your budget, scalability and unique needs, an MSP is an excellent choice for any business looking to outsource its IT needs. Don’t hesitate to explore your options and find the MSP that is right for you!

Cybersecurity, Essential Eight

Does Essential Eight Impact my Business?

Does Essential Eight Impact my Business?

As a business owner or IT professional, you may have heard about Essential Eight, a set of Cyber Security strategies introduced by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) to help organisations protect themselves against cyberattacks. But you might be wondering, does the government’s recommendation of implementing Essential Eight affect my business? In this blog post, we will explore what Essential Eight is and whether it is relevant to your business.

What is Essential Eight?

Essential Eight is a set of eight Cyber Security strategies that the ACSC has identified as essential for organisations to protect themselves against cyberattacks. It was developed to help companies comply with Cyber Security laws, legislations and regulations. The strategies cover a range of security controls that should be implemented to mitigate against the most common cyber threats. Essential Eight is not a prescriptive set of rules, but rather a framework that organisations can use to identify and prioritise their security needs.

The eight strategies are:

  1. Application control
  2. Patching applications
  3. Configure Microsoft Office macro settings
  4. User application hardening
  5. Restricting administrative privileges
  6. Patch operating systems
  7. Multi-factor authentication
  8. Daily backups

Each strategy is designed to address a different aspect of Cyber Security and should be implemented according to the specific needs of your organisation.

By assessing your business against Essential Eight, your compliance with the strategies is measured in terms of its ‘Maturity Level,’ which ranges from zero to three.

Will Essential Eight impact my business?

Currently, Essential Eight is simply recommended guidelines for businesses to measure their Cyber Security maturity against and to give them steps to take to improve their position. We believe this recommendation will soon turn into a mandate, hence why it is something we push our new clients to adopt when we begin working with them. As an MSP that specialises in Cyber Security, these types of strategies are ones we implement anyway, but since they are now strongly recommended by the government, we try to show our clients, and any potential clients, the importance of seriously taking the time to invest in Cyber Security and to educate their staff about security methods.

For now, will Essential Eight affect your business? The short answer is yes. Even though it is only recommended, it’s recommended for a reason. With harsh penalties for businesses that fall victim to cyberattacks, it would be illogical not to start bringing Cyber Security measures into your company. The framework is centred around preventing attacks, limiting the impact of attacks and data availability, which are issues all businesses should be concerned about.

Insurance companies are now starting to mandate certain security measures, which are part of the Essential Eight, and without these measures, your insurance company will not pay you when a claim is made. Or, the insurance company will not renew your Cyber Security coverage. What we also notice is that many small businesses fill out their insurance questionnaire without consulting the right IT people, which often leads to incorrectly stated responses to some of the Cyber Security questions. In cases like these, while a Cyber Security policy is taken out, in the unfortunate event when the small business is attacked and compromised, the insurance company will not honour the covers.

Implementing Essential Eight will require time and resources from your organisation, however, the long-term benefits of implementing these strategies can far outweigh the initial investment.

By implementing Essential Eight, you can:

  1. Improve your Cyber Security posture: Implementing the Essential Eight can help improve your organisation’s Cyber Security posture, making it more difficult for cybercriminals to breach your network.
  2. Reduce the likelihood of a data breach: The Essential Eight strategies are designed to protect against the most common cyber threats, reducing the likelihood of a successful attack.
  3. Save money in the long run: The cost of a data breach can be significant, both in terms of financial costs and damage to your organisation’s reputation. By implementing Essential Eight, you can reduce the likelihood of a data breach, potentially saving your organisation significant costs in the long run.
  4. Privileged Access Management (PAM): By implementing Essential Eight, you thereby place administrative restrictions on applications, operating systems and devices on a user-by-user basis which allows for increased data security, increased control over operations, reduced risks stemming from human error, reduced cost due no more over expenditure on materials and resources and greater insight into how applications, systems and devices are used.
  5. Meet compliance requirements: Many regulatory requirements, such as the Australian Privacy Act 1988, require organisations to implement reasonable measures to protect personal information. Implementing Essential Eight can help your organisation meet these compliance requirements.

Challenges to implementing Essential Eight

While implementing Essential Eight can provide significant benefits, it is not without its challenges. Some of these include:

  1. Lack of resources: Implementing Essential Eight can require significant time and resources, which can be a challenge for small and medium-sized organisations.
  2. Complexity: Some of the Essential Eight strategies, such as application whitelisting and multi-factor authentication, can be complex to implement and manage.
  3. Resistance to change: Introducing new security measures can sometimes be met with resistance from employees who may see the measures as an inconvenience.
  4. Lack of understanding: Some organisations may not fully understand the risks posed by cyber threats and may not see the need for implementing Essential Eight.

Essential Eight is a set of Cyber Security strategies designed to help organisations protect themselves against cyberattacks. While implementing Essential Eight can require time and resources, the long-term benefits of improved Cyber Security posture and reduced likelihood of data breaches can far outweigh the initial investment. By implementing Essential Eight, businesses can better protect themselves against the most common cyber threats and meet regulatory compliance requirements. However, challenges such as lack of resources, complexity, resistance to change and lack of understanding can make implementing Essential Eight a challenge for some organisations.

IT Support, Managed IT Services, MSP

How long does it take to switch MSPs?

How long does it take to switch MSPs?

If this is the post you’re reading, you’re probably already with an MSP, so you know what one is. Essentially, a managed service provider is a company that handles all your IT needs for you, providing your business with all the IT expertise and support you need to keep running your business.

MSPs have a magnitude of features on offer, such as remote monitoring of your systems, regular back-ups of your data as well as protection of this data, cloud computing integration, network and infrastructure management, antivirus protection and if your MSP specialises in Cyber Security like Pronet Technology, then this is included too.

Handing the responsibility of your IT systems over to an MSP has many benefits for organisations. It enables you to focus on the day-to-day running of your business, on new projects and future growth without worrying about your IT systems and how they might hinder your efforts.

We have already written a post detailing when to consider switching your MSP (read here), but you might be confused and even wary about the change due to how long it will take to transition. Let us tell you this: the transition itself is barely any time at all and the MSP will ensure it’s a smooth transition.

Switching Managed Service Providers (MSPs) can be daunting for any business, but it doesn’t have to be a painful process. The length of time it takes to switch MSPs can vary depending on several factors, including the size of your business, the complexity of your IT infrastructure and the quality of your current MSP’s services.

Here’s what you can expect when switching MSPs:

Evaluation and Research (weeks to months)

Before making the switch, you must evaluate your current MSP’s services and research potential new MSPs. This can take several weeks or even months, depending on how thorough you want to be in your research. Read this article to learn how to find a good MSP for you.

You’ll need to review your current contract for what steps to take when ending the relationship as well as any costs associated with this. You need to assess your IT infrastructure to determine which of it is actually owned by you and determine your specific needs.

Selection Process (several weeks)

Once you’ve evaluated your current MSP and researched potential new ones, you’ll need to go through a selection process. This involves reaching out to potential MSPs, discussing your needs with them and requesting proposals. It can take several weeks to receive proposals and review them. Read out post about what to look for in an MSP here.

Once you have chosen an MSP, your business undergoes an initial assessment by the provider. This can take one to two days, but basically, the MSP will go through your systems to determine exactly what they need to do going forward, such as determine where they need to take over from the old MSP, how systems and hardware they will need to implement and where your business needs to improve. This allows them to also ensure you’re aware of all costs involved and what switching will entail. They will also inform you of any critical, important and minor risks they believe you must implement for them to work with you. After this, you are given the option to back out if you so wish. During this time, as a business, you get a sense of whether the MSP is right for you.

Now that you’ve selected your MSP and have signed the contract, it’s time to give your current provider a 30-day notice period, or however long is listed in the contract. Even if you have an unstable relationship with them, they are still a business and need time to transition. This gives the old MSP time to remove all its hardware and permissions from your business so that they no longer have any remote access to your systems.

Onboarding Process (a day to a month)

The actual onboarding process from your old MSP to your new one, depending on your company’s size, can take between a day and a month, but generally no more than a week. This is quite a seamless, smooth-sailing transition for your business as the MSP takes care of everything for you. They will often take control of any passwords, service subscriptions, cloud applications and systems and the length of time this takes depends on the amount of data you have and the complexity of your systems. They will need to make sure backups are going to them instead of the old MSP and set up remote access to be able to monitor your systems for any threats that arise.

MSPs will generally make sure the transition has as little impact on your business as possible, with the two companies coordinating with each other. There have been cases of the old MSP being quite uncooperative during this time, though, so keep that in mind.

Transition Process (up to a month)

After onboarding, the MSP will work with you to ensure you fix the critical risks within your business, ones they pointed out in their initial assessment, and they usually require these to be fixed within a week to a month. For any important issues, they will generally give you a quarter or two to fix and then for any minor issues, they will suggest you change these within 12 months, if ever.

In terms of the ‘training’ usually given, this is simply giving your staff information about how to contact the MSP if something arises. Businesses generally aren’t looking to change their software during a change of MSP, so there isn’t usually much training involved.

If you’re truly desperate for an MSP, you can sign a contract and have them all set up the next day, but the process of choosing a managed service provider should be tailored specifically for your business needs. Determine what you need in a provider and whether they are right for you. For example, if you’re a small or medium-sized business, a large, enterprise-level MSP might not be right for you and vice versa.

For a business, the entire switch of an MSP can take months but the actual onboarding process of an MSP can take anywhere from a day or two for smaller businesses to up to a month for larger ones, but generally, it takes about a week or two. It’s important to take the time to evaluate your current MSP, research potential new ones and go through a thorough selection process. Don’t let the time it takes deter you from taking the time and effort as switching MSPs can be well worth it in the long run if you find an MSP that is a better fit for your business needs. Remember to communicate effectively with your new MSP throughout the process and be patient as they work to transition your systems.

Your IT systems can make or break your business, so make sure you have a great MSP managing and monitoring them.

IT Support

How to incorporate IT concerns into risk management

How to incorporate IT concerns into risk management

Incorporating IT concerns into your company’s risk management strategy is essential to protecting your assets and minimising potential losses. Here are some steps to incorporate IT concerns into your risk management:

Identify

The first step is to identify your company’s top IT risks that could impact your business operations, such as data breaches, hardware failure and cyberattacks. We published a blog post detailing some of the top concerns of small and medium-sized businesses earlier this week, so brainstorm with your stakeholders as well as your Managed Service Provider what these are, then read our post to see if you’re missing anything. You can read that post here.

Other than this, you will want to identify IT use within your business. This includes internet banking, taxation, cloud hosting services, online stores and apps, social media, Point of Sale (POP), VOIP (Voice over Internet), NBN, mobile phones and computers. This helps you fully outline and visualise the amount of IT your organisation is truly reliant on as well as realise just how easily the risk of serious IT failure can impact your business’ trading.

Part of your risk management processes should be assessing the likelihood of these IT concerns occurring as well as the potential impacts they would have on your business operations, revenue and reputation. This helps you prioritise your efforts and resources to address the most critical IT risks.

If you have one, contact your IT provider

Once you’ve identified those, ask your IT provider about the strategies they have in place to prevent these risks from happening. If they don’t have anything or only have limited processes, you might want to discuss the reasons why this is and if you are not satisfied with their response, look at switching providers. When cyberattacks can cause your company to be in breach of The Privacy Act and when the Australian Government is likely to mandate strategies like the Essential Eight being implemented into businesses, it’s on you to ensure you’re well protected.

If you don’t have one, get an MSP

We have written articles about why an MSP is essential to your business, so make sure to read those if you don’t have one. When signing with an MSP, they set up practical IT risk management systems within your business. These include securing computers, servers and wireless networks, using anti-virus and anti-spyware protection and firewalls, updating software to the latest versions, using data backups, securing your passwords, implementing two-factor authentication, training staff in IT policies and procedures, using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) on websites and helping you understand the legal obligations for your business. 

Your business needs to ensure you have risk mitigation strategies in place to address the IT risks you have identified, and this should be in collaboration with your IT service provider. The Essential Eight strategies can become incredibly helpful in this stage as they detail a framework for your business to follow that is comprehensive and will keep your company safe.

The Prevention, Preparedness, Response, Recovery (PPRR) risk management model helps you identify risks to include in your business’ policies and procedures. You can implement policies such as the policy for use of software, bring your own device policy and information technology security policy, which gives staff something to follow to reduce or prevent IT risks.

Insure your business against IT risks

While strategies put in place are to prevent IT risks, there is always a chance that they will still happen and unfortunately, with so many variables outside your control, it’s no longer a matter of if, but when. This is why business insurance may provide another way to reduce risk to your business. It can help reduce company costs that could have you closing your business or paying a large amount of money. You might want to look into Business Interruption, Electronic Breakdown, IT Liability or Cyber Insurance.  

Monitoring and Reviews

Your MSP should then be regularly monitoring and reviewing these IT risks to ensure that the risk mitigation strategies that were put in place are effective and up-to-date. This may involve conducting vulnerability assessments, penetration testing and reviewing incident response plans. Don’t just leave this all to the MSP though, as when you receive your reports from the provider, make sure you are also going over these thoroughly to ensure that you are receiving the level of service from the provider that you agreed to and that you are satisfied that the risks are being properly monitored.

Communication

Communicate IT risks and risk management strategies with relevant stakeholders, such as employees, customers, partners and investors. If need be, involve your IT service provider in these meetings so that everyone is on board and so that you are both achieving the longevity goals you have set. This helps to build trust and demonstrate that your business takes IT risks seriously. You can even hold cyber security training for new staff and update staff and training manuals when new risks are introduced through meetings or company newsletters.

All in all, it’s important that, as a business, you continuously improve your IT risk management approach by learning from past incidents and industry best practices. This helps to ensure that your business remains resilient to new and emerging IT risks.

By incorporating IT concerns into risk management, businesses can ensure that their IT infrastructure is secure, reliable and efficient, reducing the likelihood of IT-related incidents and minimising their impact when they do occur. Like it or not, it’s technology, so something will likely occur, but risk management strategies ensure that your business is not damaged when it does.

IT Support

The Top IT Concerns of SMEs

The Top IT Concerns of SMEs

Have you ever asked yourself, ‘What are the top IT concerns I should be worried about for my business?’ Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face a variety of IT concerns that can impact their operations, productivity and longevity of the company. If you’re growing your business or are at the stage of risk reduction planning, here are some of the top IT concerns we have found that SMEs face.

Cyber Security

If you watch the news or have heard about the data breaches of Optus, Latitude, Medibank, Crown and Meriton, you should understand why Cyber Security is such an issue you need to start becoming proactive about. Cyberattacks can be devastating for your business, resulting in data breaches, financial losses and damage to your reputation. If future customers find out your company has had a security breach, and then you handled it poorly, quite frankly, why would they choose your business over another? SMEs must have a comprehensive Cyber Security strategy that includes employee training, firewalls, antivirus software, data encryption, regular backups and an array of cybersecurity measures.

Data Management

Small and medium-sized businesses generate and handle large amounts of data, which can be difficult to manage and secure. Ensuring the integrity and availability of data is crucial to maintaining business operations. Data loss can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as natural disasters, hardware failure or cyberattacks. SMEs should have a reliable data backup and disaster recovery plan in place to minimise downtime and data loss.

Cloud Computing

Many businesses are turning to cloud computing to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Moving data to the cloud can also introduce new security risks and challenges. Cloud computing can provide SMEs with greater flexibility, scalability and cost savings, however, it’s essential to choose a reputable cloud provider and implement strong security measures to protect sensitive data. So, if you’re company has this in the plans, make sure to choose an IT service provider who is knowledgeable in moving your business to the cloud.

IT Infrastructure

SMEs may not have the resources to invest in robust IT infrastructure, which can lead to slow systems, downtime and lost productivity. Your company needs to ensure your IT infrastructure is up to date and can support your business needs. This includes hardware such as servers and routers as well as software such as operating systems, productivity tools and Cyber Security solutions.

Bring Your Own Device

Many companies allow employees to use their personal devices for work, which can increase productivity but also pose security risks. SMEs should have a clear personal device policy that includes security measures such as device management, data encryption and access controls. If devices are needed in your business, consider purchasing work-specific devices to monitor what is accessed and to reduce the risk of malware infecting your business.

IT Support

Like most small to medium-sized companies, your business may not have dedicated IT staff, which can make it difficult to provide adequate support and troubleshooting for technical issues. You might even have a full-time employee but are finding they don’t have the knowledge to fix the issue at hand.

One of our clients described an issue they had like:

“It was almost like an insurmountable mountain we had and nobody could even work their way around how we were going to work our way out of it.”

As a business owner, you’re an expert in your field and just want to get on with your business. There’s a high chance you have no idea how your IT and computers function but you just want them to work, so having the added stress of IT issues without adequate support is a major concern that you need to address.

Compliance

SMEs must comply with a variety of regulations, including data privacy laws and industry-specific requirements and meeting these standards can be challenging without proper resources and expertise.

SMEs need to comply with regulations, both national and international in our globalised world, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and The Privacy Act. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in huge fines and can damage the business’ reputation.

Remote Work

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend of remote work, requiring businesses to provide secure remote access to their systems and data. This includes implementing secure virtual private networks (VPNs), two-factor authentication and other security measures. Without proper knowledge and support, this can be incredibly confusing to set up and issues can, and do, quickly arise.

Technology Obsolescence

Technology evolves rapidly and your business may struggle to keep up with the latest advancements. Outdated technology can lead to compatibility issues, security vulnerabilities and reduced productivity working with slower, clunky tech. A key concern might surround learning how new applications and software work, but if you were guaranteed that it would boost your company’s output, you would switch in a heartbeat.

Overall, as a business owner, manager or stakeholder in a business, it has become crucial to prioritise IT concerns to ensure the security, efficiency and success of your business operations. Seeking expert advice and investing in robust technology solutions can help you overcome these challenges and stay ahead of the curve. Working with a reputable and knowledgeable Managed Service Provider (MSP) can give you the peace of mind that these concerns are well taken care of.

Cybersecurity, IT Support, Managed IT Services

What should I look for when replacing my IT service provider?

What should I look for when replacing my IT service provider?

Choosing the right Managed Service Provider (MSP) is critical for businesses to ensure that their IT systems are managed effectively and efficiently.

Do you find yourself asking, ‘How do I keep my IT systems running without any issues?’ Business owners have too many day-to-day tasks to complete and think about to want to then deal with IT issues that they don’t fully comprehend. Hence why they then delegate these tasks to others.

Working with an MSP is just that, delegating the accountability of your IT systems to experts who know what they are doing and who can handle the technical aspects of the job. As decision-makers, we know that a major sentiment is that you want IT systems that work, that the whole team is happy with, and, most importantly, systems that look after themselves. You need a provider to manage the whole system and ensure it’s running smoothly so that your staff don’t stress and waste time trying to work around it.

Ideally, unless your service provider grows and you now feel as though they don’t care about you anymore due to your business being too small, or you simply aren’t receiving the service you require for your business, you don’t want to have to change MSPs. The time and effort of researching new providers or people to help fix system issues is a hassle, which is the primary reason business owners simply stay with their provider, even though they are receiving poor service. You may feel guilty for wanting to move on or have built ties with the provider and its staff, but your IT provider should be looking out for your best interest and if they’re not, you need to start looking elsewhere.

After talking to our new clients, especially within a month of working with them, we’ve learned that many of them wish they’d changed providers years before something happened that triggered the change. So, if you’re in a similar situation, on the search for a new MSP or your business has simply grown in size that you now require one to handle your IT systems, here are some factors that separate a good MSP from a bad one.

Responsiveness

A good MSP should be responsive to their client’s needs and provide timely support when issues arise. They should have a dedicated help desk and clear escalation processes to ensure that issues are resolved quickly and that they address them in a way that reduces your business’ downtime while keeping the business running and your staff working. The MSP should have a Service Level Agreement (SLA) in place which outlines the services provided to you, response times, support constraints and your business responsibilities.

Proactivity

A good MSP should take a proactive approach to IT management, monitoring systems for potential issues and implementing preventive measures to avoid downtime and security breaches. This behind-the-scenes work from the MSP is essential for your business’ success as your company should not be reaching out when it has a problem, which is what happens with Ad-hoc support; it’s about prevention and responsiveness when an issue does end up occurring. 

Expertise

The MSP you’re changing to should have a team of skilled and experienced IT professionals with specialised knowledge in a variety of areas, including your server platform, network management and cabling, firewall, Sophos, Cisco networking and cloud computing integration, and they should be Microsoft Certified.

Expertise in Line–of–Business (LoB) Application

Line of Business applications refers to the set of critical programs that are vital to the day-to-day running of your business. These are usually large programs that contain a vast amount of capabilities integrated into them that then tie into the rest of your databases and management systems. Some examples of these are SAP, Sage and Microsoft Dynamics and each of these vendors has support systems that are separate from your IT service provider. Unfortunately, a LoB support doesn’t necessarily care about your business, just their base software, and when all your systems need to work in conjunction, you need to ensure you choose an IT provider that has exposure to your LoB. Keep in mind that most won’t have expertise in the LoB, as it’s not their field, but they should have exposure and they should be willing to take on the technical jargon and be the middleman between your business and the LoB support team. As a business, you don’t want to be the trouble-shooter, so if, for example, you have a printer problem in SAP, your IT support will then work with SAP with the technical how-tos and fix the issue. Make sure your MSP is willing to take this on.

Communication

MSPs should maintain open and transparent communication with their clients, providing regular updates on system performance, service level agreements and other important metrics. While as a business owner or manager, you’re looking to outsource your IT systems and management so that you don’t have the added stress of understanding how to fix or prevent problems, it’s still essential that you know what is happening, especially considering IT is such a crucial element of your business. You should be communicating with your MSP in a broader sense and their recommendations should be used in the long-term planning of your business.

Flexibility

You don’t want to go into partnership with a rigid MSP that have you stuck in a fixed price plan. An MSP should be able to customise its services to meet its clients’ unique needs and requirements. Every business is different and a one-size-fits-all approach won’t cut it, so the MSP should be willing to work collaboratively with you to develop customised solutions that fit your budgets and objectives.

Reliability

A good MSP should have a track record of reliability and stability, with a strong reputation and positive reviews from clients. Oftentimes, you will find this listed on their website or socials, such as testimonial quotes or videos, but make sure to check out review sites like Google and CloudTango, or even read through the comments on their socials, as well as through forums like Reddit and Quora. You might even want to read through employee reviews on Seek as this can give you an indication of how the business runs, like whether they are understaffed and taking on too many clients, meaning your company may not receive the level of service you require. 

Cyber Security

More and more companies are realising the importance of Cyber Security, so when looking to switch MSPs, make sure the provider has the practical expertise in Cyber Security and the necessary technology stacks. Traditional security such as antivirus, firewall and monitoring are just not enough when it comes to Cyber Security. If an attack occurs, Cyber Security, such as browser isolation technology, can isolate the threat within half an hour of detection into a secure computer or network, preventing it from accessing the rest of your systems. This technology is incredibly efficient so make sure the IT service provider you’re looking into has this type of technology in its systems.

Questions to ask when contacting MSPs

When searching for a managed service provider, small and medium-sized enterprises should consider asking variations of the following questions, based on the factors listed above, to make sure they are suitable for your business:

  • What services do you offer? It’s important to understand the MSP’s core offerings and whether they align with your business needs. For example, if you need help with Cyber Security or cloud computing, you’ll want to find an MSP with expertise in those areas.
  • What is your pricing structure? Make sure you understand the MSP’s pricing model, including any additional fees or charges that may apply. Ask if there are any discounts or package deals available based on your specific needs.
  • What is your level of experience? Find out how long the MSP has been in business and what types of clients they have worked with in the past. You may also want to ask about their certifications or other credentials that demonstrate their level of expertise. Other than this, ask if they have experience in or exposure to your line of business (LOB) application/s, i.e. SAP, Sage or Microsoft Dynamics.
  • How do you handle security and data privacy? Cyber Security is a major concern for SMEs, so it’s important to ask about the MSP’s approach to security and data privacy. Find out what measures they take to protect your data and what protocols are in place in case of a security breach.
  • What is your response time for support requests? Make sure you understand the MSP’s response time for support requests and whether they offer 24/7 support. Many smaller MSPs don’t offer 24/7 support as it’s often not needed, but if you operate internationally, you might need this. Ask about their escalation procedures in case of an emergency.
  • What is your onboarding process? Ask about the MSP’s onboarding process and what steps they take to get to know your business and its unique IT needs. This can help ensure a smoother transition and better service in the long run. Also, ask them if you will be the middleman between the old and new providers or if they deal directly with the old MSP to get passwords and access to systems.
  • Can you provide references or case studies? You might want to ask the MSP for references or case studies from past clients. This can give you a better sense of their level of service and expertise and help you make a more informed decision. MSPs often have this on their website, but if not, see if they’re willing to give you references.
  • Do you have any service level agreements in place? This will often happen when signing on with the provider and details expectations in your partnership. This allows you to hold the MSP accountable and ensures they take ownership of their work as they’ve agreed to it in advance.
  • Does you outsource your support to overseas call centres? We’ve found speaking that English alone is not enough, the people you are speaking to need to have familiarities with your local culture and local knowledge, such as with nbn and local terminology.
  • Can the technical staff that I will be dealing with speak in layman’s terms? You may have experienced the frustration of dealing with a technical person who speaks technical jargon and with technical terms that go way over your head. Sometimes it can seem as though they are talking down to you, even though they don’t mean to, so double-check that the MSP’s technical staff are approachable and can ‘dumb down’ issues to you.
  • Do you offer any backup and disaster recovery services? Data backup and recovery solutions are critical to ensure your business’ continuity in the event of data loss, hardware failure, natural disaster or cyberattacks. Also ask where they keep the backups, whether it’s a combination of on-premise and cloud backup or just one of the two.
  • What reporting and monitoring capabilities do you have? An MSP has access to your company’s data and should remotely monitor, update and manage your services while reporting on quality and performance of the service. While this is standard among MSPs, double-check with the one you’re receiving a proposal from to see how they are monitoring your data and whether they can proactively stop future problems from happening.

Finally, it’s incredibly important to discuss the list of problems and frustrations you currently have with the provider you’re looking at working with to see what solutions they have for you.

These questions will help you understand the MSP’s capabilities, experience, and approach to customer service. It’s important to choose an MSP that meets your specific needs and can provide the support and services necessary to help your business succeed.

Overall, choosing a good MSP is critical for businesses to ensure that their IT systems are optimised and managed effectively and efficiently. Costing is often one of the last considerations, as long as you see value for your money. Therefore, businesses should evaluate potential MSPs based on these factors to ensure that they choose a provider that meets their needs and expectations.

IT Support, Managed IT Services

10 reasons why you should think about changing your MSP

10 reasons why you should think about changing your MSP

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are essential for businesses in managing their IT infrastructure. As a business owner or decision-maker, you most likely already have your IT systems managed by a provider. There are times, however, which you may have already encountered, when it may be necessary to consider changing your MSP. Considering an IT provider should be driving your business forward with the latest technology and expert resources, you both should be on board with developing a long-term relationship as you really should not be switching providers every two years.

It can be a hassle for a business to change, which is the main reason many companies stick with providers that they are unhappy with. There’s also the worry of the new provider not being any better than the old one, but if you do your research and find a reputable MSP that works with companies of your size, you will find that the level of service is well worth the switch and will have you scratching your head thinking about why you didn’t change earlier. If you’re perfectly happy with your provider and have a great relationship with them as well as a detailed and collaborative action plan for the future, then feel free to skip this article.

If that’s not you, though, here are ten reasons why you should think about changing your MSP:

Poor communication

You should know what is happening in your business, even if processes are outsourced. Your MSP should provide reports on what is happening and respond whenever you have questions or concerns. Importantly, they should be responding quickly, especially in cases of an emergency. When time is money in business, you don’t want to be waiting on an unresponsive IT provider when all systems are down. Make sure your provider values communication.

Limited expertise

Part of working with a client is understanding their business’ technology needs as, this way, they’re able to provide your business with the most effective and customised solutions for your industry. This is an ongoing process as technology changes but if you find your MSP not educating themselves and adapting their services to your business needs, you might not be with the right provider. So, while your MSP might lack expertise in specific areas that are critical to your business, they should have at least some knowledge so they can give you guidance and IT consulting. If they have very basic expertise or none at it, you might want to consider a provider with a more comprehensive skill set.

Inflexibility

Your relationship with your provider should not feel transactional. It should be one where they are fully immersed in your business to allow them to understand what exactly your business requires. This allows them to meet these needs over time and change these as new opportunities arise that will help your business grow further. Technology is meant to help your business evolve and as your business grows, so does your tech, so they should be collaborating with key stakeholders to ensure you’re receiving the full benefits of an MSP.

Poor performance

When you initially began working with your IT support services provider, you would most likely have established a service level agreement (SLA) with them which holds the provider accountable for meeting the agreed expectations and meeting the agreed outcomes. If your MSP fails to deliver the promised level of service or doesn’t meet your expectations, the SLA will help you identify where they are falling short which then gives you a framework to pull them up on it.

Outdated technology

Technology is constantly changing and the fact of the matter is, sometimes, you don’t need the latest stuff. Despite that, while the technology needs of each business are different, there are core technologies that are crucial in this day and age. Your company should long ago have switched to Microsoft 365 as it’s essential in optimising workplace collaboration, and your MSP should be discussing the possibility of shifting systems to the cloud as it’s an easy and cost-effective way to access business tools. If you’ve heard of other companies in your industry working with technologies that are immensely benefitting their business operations, it might be time to find an IT provider that is looking out for your best interests in the long run.

Lack of scalability

For most businesses, your long-term goals often include growing and expanding, and alongside this, you need to ensure your IT strategy is growing with you. You can’t be trying to work around software that caters to only a dozen users when you now have 50. Even if your IT provider focuses on specific areas in both their business and yours, they should be working alongside you in your growth and updating your systems and needs as you go. An MSPs services must stay relevant and show strong results but if they are unable to scale their services to meet your business’s growth, it may be time to consider a provider that can handle your changing needs.

Hidden costs

As a Chief Financial Officer or decision-maker in your business, budgets and managing costs is a regular part of your role. Your MSP should be transparent about its fees, which should be a fixed-fee pricing model which has been tailored to the services and deliverables your business needs. You should not be receiving additional fees for services you thought were included or be receiving constant pricing increases. If this happens, the MSP may no longer be tailoring its services to your business needs and its lack of communication with you is a sign you might need to switch providers.

Lack of security

Sadly, it’s now part of life that scammers and hackers are trying to infiltrate your business. Your MSP must be implementing effective security and Cyber Security measures into your business, especially since last year the government implemented new legislation that means companies can face fines of $50 million if they fail to adequately protect people’s data. Your MSP should be having ongoing conversations with you about security and Cyber Security that are integrated into your long-term planning.  

Lack of backup and disaster recovery

Data loss can have a devastating impact on your business, such as reduced productivity, lost revenue and even lost customers and reputation. With risk management an essential part of running a business, it goes without saying that your IT provider must have processes in effect that regularly back up your data, whether that be daily, weekly or monthly backups and you should know where those backups are stored. If your MSP doesn’t have a robust backup and disaster recovery plan, it may be time to switch to a provider that can ensure your data is protected.

Poor value for money

This should have been a part of your research at the proposals stage when searching for an IT service provider in the first place, but if you have been in partnership with your provider for some years and feel as though you’re not receiving services that correlate with the amount you are paying, it might be time to browse other providers and see if you are receiving what they are offering. Cost should not be the only reason you change your MSP as you will generally find others with similar pricing. You might even be happy to throw money into your IT as long as issues get fixed, but when you’re seeing no outcomes, it may be time to consider a provider that offers better cost-benefit.

Changing your IT service provider can be challenging, but ensuring that your IT systems are in good hands is crucial. Hopefully, these ten warning signs are that final push over the edge to get you to switch your provider if you’re experiencing fluctuating levels of bad to good service, because really, what’s the point of having an MSP if you’re not receiving the benefits?

IT Support, Managed IT Services

How to find a good MSP for me?

How to find a good MSP for me?

While as a business owner or decision-maker in your business, you might not have the time to conduct thorough research on Managed Service providers (MSPs) near you, it’s a good idea that someone does, and does it thoroughly, as this is a company that will be maintaining your IT systems and working with you for years to come.

You’re going to want to know exactly who you’re working with, such as their service and their features, as well as how these features benefit you.

When passing on the task to someone, make sure you give them a list of exactly what you’re after, whether that be working with local providers only, whether you need 24/7 support and whether they are knowledgeable in the systems you use to run your business.

From there, you’re going to want to find out what sets them apart from others. This might not be any specific feature, as MSPs generally offer the same package, but there will often be something. Keep in mind that there are features that some providers will advertise boldly that all MSPs have, such as that they’re Microsoft Certified. Some will also feature an ‘award’ on their homepage, but this often isn’t a nationally given award, simply one given by someone or a business in the industry who has done a thorough review of all MSAs. They’re a good indication it’s a great MSP, but keep in mind that it’s generally not a regulated award.

A feature that might separate an MSP from others could be that they specialise in Cyber Security, as many MSPs only have limited Cyber Security measures in place and require your business to work with a separate company for those issues. Security and Cyber Security are two separate topics and many businesses confuse them as the same. Security mainly focuses on virus protection and firewalls, whereas Cyber Security digs deeper with Two-Factor Authentication and surveillance systems, among other things. With Cyber Security constantly evolving, your business must be up-to-date on the latest trends and practices in the field.  

It’s also important that the MSP you’re searching for is knowledgeable in your industry and your systems. While they won’t be experts in your systems, such as in SAP or Microsoft Dynamics, they should be familiar with them so that they can be the middle-man between the vendor and your company when something goes wrong with the system. You cannot expect the MSP to configure the entire system to your business though, that’s the role of the software vendor and, unfortunately, an expensive role. The MSP should be used to working with clients of your size too, as working with a large MSP as a smaller business, you might find that you’re pushed aside in favour of their larger, more profitable clients.

Market Research

Once you know what you want from an MSP, it’s time to do some market research.

During a conversation with a client, we started talking about how to find a company that you can trust and they said:

“Like most things, you go by recommendation. That’s always the first one. So, if you can’t go by recommendation, then you want to go by, ‘Who’s this company dealing with and what are they saying?’”

If you’re recommended an MSP, that’s always a great start, but when you’re not, it’s hard to find out who to trust, especially with possible fake reviews online. That being said, the place to start with is reviews as you can generally tell through reading when a review has been manufactured. Read what you can find on Google and CloudTango and then read through the company’s reviews and comments on their social media pages like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. An MSP will often have case studies or client reviews on its website to give proof of its track record too, so the clients can give you an understanding of what to expect. If you like, feel free to give the company a call to learn about their experience with the MSP.

Join Facebook, Reddit and Discord groups to see what people are saying about the MSP as well as who they are recommending in your area. While not always the case when it comes to business, many people don’t let their full opinions known about a product or service. It’s only when they’re anonymous or feeling comfortable that they can reveal their deeper inconveniences or desires, so browsing forum groups will often tell you these opinions. Even search on Quora or read through blog posts about the pros and cons of certain MSPs so that you’re adequately informed before you make your decision. 

Contact MSPs

Once you have settled on a few MSPs to sit down with, you should have a list of questions to ask them that will help you narrow down your choice. We’ve written an article about questions to ask when switching IT service providers, so have a read of that to get an idea of some questions. Find the article here. The post also details what to look for when searching for an MSP, such as responsiveness, proactivity and communication.

We hope this has given you an understanding of where to start when searching for an MSP for your business. It can be an incredibly daunting and frustrating process, as well as one that you probably don’t have time for. By now, though, you should know why it’s crucial to have a good MSP working with your business because as your business grows, so does your IT, and that IT needs to be managed efficiently. Feel free to read through the other blog posts on our website to learn of the risks posed to your business if your systems are not managed sufficiently as that might be just the push you need to get started in your search.  

IT Support, Managed IT Services

What is an MSP and do I need one?

What is an MSP and do I need one?

A Managed Service Provider is the partner you need for all your IT system needs.

When your business starts to grow, so does your information technology (IT) usage. Databases, documents, customer accounts, websites, the list is extensive and as a business owner myself, I know the feeling of not needing the added stress of figuring out what’s gone wrong with the company’s IT system when there are a multitude of other issues and jobs to work on.

To help with these issues, an IT infrastructure upgrade is worth looking into and what’s more, it might be due time to outsource the infrastructure altogether to a third-party company.

One of the ways to do this is through a Managed Service Provider, or an MSP. An MSP is a third-party company that provides IT services and support to businesses on a proactive basis, typically through a subscription-based model. MSPs offer a wide range of services, including network management, data backup and recovery, cybersecurity, cloud computing and help desk support. This means that you and your employees can continue about your day-to-day business requirements without needing to worry if something has gone wrong or, if it has, you can be rest assured that the issues will be resolved without damaging your business.

How do they work?

An MSP should work with your business to meet your IT needs. While it may seem like a risk that they have access to your system and data, it’s what they need to be able to ensure your systems run smoothly and stays secure so you can focus on the your actual role, managing your business. They can help oversee services like email, cybersecurity, your networks, data storage and cloud integration, software updates and updating old technology as well as giving you a virtual Chief Information Officer (CIO) to help steer your IT in the right direction and, ultimately, giving you the confidence you really need out of your technology.

Each MSP has different services and works with different size clients, so it’s good to do your research before signing a contract with one but, other than the reduced stress and worries about your IT operation, there are many other features and benefits of getting a professional and knowledgeable team to handle all your systems for you.

Features

There are many features that all MSPs will, or should, have that you will see when you’re researching. Here’s a few to get you started for your research:

UNLIMITED IT SUPPORT

Do you hate calling your IT help desk? Oftentimes, in retail stores, their help desk support is based overseas where the line might be crackling and you can barely hear and understand them, where they don’t understand what you mean as you’re not very technically inclined, you’re on hold for what feels like hours while there’s back and forth trying to explain what the situation is and on top of that, they can’t come out and fix your issue immediately as they’re the middle man and have to issue a ticket for someone to come out, whenever that may be.

A local MSP, on the other hand, allows you to receive immediate and responsive assistance when dealing with day-to-day technical issues and when an unforeseen event or cyberattack hits your business, you’re secure in the knowledge that your MSP have it under control with minimal drop in employee or company productivity, one of the major concerns in running a business.

Pronet Technology, for example, has an emergency 30-minute guaranteed response time, meaning you can get in-touch with experts within minutes of your issue occurring, while its Managed IT Services are designed to detect and solve most IT issues before they become a problem, meaning you will hardly ever require emergency assistance. Click here to see Pronet’s average response times for the last 30 days.

DATA BACKUP

I can safely say that most of us know how distressing it is to know you’ve lost a file that you’ve been working on for hours or even days. It’s incredibly frustrating clicking back into it and realising you either didn’t save it properly, it became corrupted or it’s somehow been deleted. For that reason, many of us now constantly back up our documents and data, but what about on a larger scale for your business?

Working with an MSP ensures your business is protected during a disaster, whether it be a data breach, a server crash, a fire or even someone internally jeopardising, accidently or purposefully, your business. They will regularly create quality-assured data backups, meaning you have recovery solutions for your data during disaster so that your client records, marketing resources, photos, accounting records, intellectual property and communication correspondences are all safe and your business can continue running smoothly.

CLOUD SERVICES

Cloud services allow your business to stop running your IT in-house, improves reliability and simplifies your IT, allows you to take control of your IT costs, allows you to work from any device, at home, in the office or overseas, allows for file sharing and, among other things, allows you to better control what users and employees can see and do.

CYBER SECURITY

Not many MSPs include fully integrated cyber security practice in their plans, with you often having to work with a separate company. Some companies, like Pronet Technology, however, do and will closely monitor your network and systems to ensure everything is running smoothly and if they do pick up something, they will be proactive in fixing the issue so that there is no delay and interruptions in the day-to-day, or long-term function, of your business. Cyber security enhancement is much more than virus protection and firewall configuration and management, so if you’re working with an MSP already, double check whether this is included.

Benefits

What we’ve just discussed are features, but what are the benefits to your small or medium-sized business in working with an MSP?

COST SAVING

MSPs can provide IT services at a lower cost than hiring and training in-house IT staff. MSPs also offer predictable, subscription-based pricing, whether that be monthly or yearly, or fixed or flexible plans, that can help businesses manage their IT costs more effectively. As a small or medium-sized enterprise owner or manager and reducing costs are a major role of your position, this is where an MSP can be incredibly valuable.

EXPERTISE AND RESOURCES

Rather than having one or multiple in-house IT managers, this full-time team is within the MSP who are IT professionals with specialized skills and experience that can provide a range of IT services and support. When needed, they can provide information to you and explain new technology and concepts so you’re onboard everything that is happening in your business. If you already have an MSP, ensure you’re contacting them when needed to ask any questions that might be bothering you. MSPs also have access to advanced tools and technologies that may be too expensive for SMEs to acquire on their own. You can even loan equipment from MSPs if you need.

PROACTIVE MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE

This feature is also a benefit as MSPs can monitor and maintain IT systems on a proactive basis, identifying and addressing potential issues before they become major problems. This can help prevent downtime, improve system performance, and reduce the risk of security breaches. For business executives in risk-reduction management, this is where your investments pay off. Once again, if you are already working with an MSP, ensure they are keeping up-to-date with new technology and software as cyber attacks evolve.

SCALABILITY

MSPs can provide IT services that scale up or down based on a business’s changing needs. This can help businesses manage their IT resources more effectively and respond quickly to changing market conditions. As your business grows, so does your IT, so your MSP will create a plan with you so you’re both in understanding and agreement about the changes coming in the future.

Should small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) partner with an MSP?

As shown, MSPs can benefit businesses of all sizes, especially SMEs that may not have the resources or expertise to manage their IT infrastructure in-house. It is due to this that MSPs can provide immense value to businesses in all sectors and is something executives should be looking at investing in, especially since risk management is a major aspect of their positions.

If your business is already working with an MSP, take some time to re-evaluate whether you are receiving the service your business requires and, if not, it might be time to switch providers.

Overall, working with an MSP can help businesses improve their IT infrastructure and operations while reducing costs and improving efficiency.

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