Did you know a surprising fact that IBM revealed?
It found that organisations using managed IT services experience 40% fewer security incidents than those relying on internally managed IT services. It certainly indicates the need for proactive monitoring and threat management.
Overview: Managed IT Services
The managed IT services are not only concerned with cybersecurity threats. These services have a broader horizon, which encompasses maintaining operational continuity, hardware and software management, server setup and handling, seamless network and networking, data management, and more, besides data security and backups.
Typically, this is a practice of hiring third-party IT specialists to handle and fix IT-based issues. The advent of digitalisation has made it necessary to partner with a managed service provider. This partnership allows beneficiaries to leverage specialised expertise, advanced technologies, and proactive support to keep their IT infrastructure up and running securely.
Managed IT Services Improve Security: How?
Defining and introducing cyber security to cover sensitive data are technical aspects that need a specialist to handle and elevate security. Here are a few proven steps that can help in managing IT services effectively.
1. Proactive Threat Detection and Response
Vulnerability attacks become successful because of inadequate monitoring and untimely responses. Managed IT services secure your data and connection by proactively detecting threats and responding accordingly. The service provider deploys advanced tools and techniques to filter out potential security threats before they escalate.
Commonly, these IT companies use Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems to consistently watch out for malicious attempts over network traffic and system logs. These systems are actually able to discover any kind of anomaly or vulnerability in real-time. As the threat is detected, the managed IT support provider quickly comes into action. He takes necessary security measures to mitigate those risks without impacting the business.
2. Comprehensive Risk Management
Cybersecurity is a big concern that needs immediate attention. Managing security can be assured by embracing a holistic approach to handling risks. Simultaneously, various other aspects must be attended to and fixed if they require repair. Managing these tasks internally is not easy. Above that, it needs agile tools for real-time monitoring.
This is where managed service providers appear as saviours. They take charge and conduct regular risk analysis within the IT infrastructure. Accordingly, they implement robust security measures, emphasising firewall installation.
Besides, deploying intrusion detection systems and endpoint protection become priorities for them. Overall, the managed service provider strengthens the defence system against cyberattacks using various advanced techniques like encryption. Besides countering the attack, they adeptly handle software and system updates and their protection against cyberattacks.
3. Data Backup and Disaster Recovery
Data is a gem. Its loss can be catastrophic for any business that makes crucial decisions on its basis. For sure, compromising on its security and handling can lead to operational glitches and resulting financial losses.
Managed IT services eliminate this risk by ensuring reliable data backups and disaster recovery solutions. Datto surveyed and discovered that 93% of businesses that faced data loss with a managed backup and recovery solution recovered the loss within hours. This is why backups are essential.
Managed IT services providers emphasize regular backups of sensitive records and systems in their core offerings. This facility enables businesses to access up-to-date information at any time.
And if an unfortunate malicious attack occurs, this facility proves worthy. It enables businesses to quickly restore their lost data from backups and continue backend operations. While this happens, the company hardly faces exaggerated downtime, and its commercial practices remain ongoing.
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4. Compliance with Regulatory Requirements
Non-compliance can be threatening. Any violation of industry regulations and data protection laws is considered illegal. Companies, especially non-IT entities, may not be aware of data compliance and privacy laws.
Here, an experienced technology company in this domain can emerge to navigate complex compliance requirements. It ensures that beneficiary companies’ data and IT systems or assets stay aligned with industry standards and regulations.
For example, an organisation dealing in business process outsourcing services may not be fully aware of regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
This unawareness can lead to the violation of data compliance or complementary laws. Deloitte conducted a study in this reference and found that 63% of organisations incorporating managed services are more likely to fulfill compliance requirements as compared to non-corporate companies.
So, the managed IT services can keep the security practices and data up-to-date so that the incorporated companies can stay safe from violations, which can impose hefty fines with reputational damage.
5. Expertise and Experience
Technologies are transforming rapidly. So, their adoption must be laser-fast. But all companies are incapable of tapping these updates. But for managed service providers, it is their forte. They keep an eye on the latest technologies and hire IT engineers with hands-on experience to protect businesses from cyber threats.
These specialists tend to learn the latest cybersecurity trends, threats, and the best practices to overcome them. Besides, they host ongoing training and support to recognise new trends and how to respond to the latest cyber threats.
6. Cost-effective Security Solutions
Implementing the latest robust cybersecurity measures may not be affordable for all businesses, especially for SMEs. Managed IT service providers can offer affordable service to them by providing access to advanced security technologies and expertise without paying any upfront cost.
A report by MarketWatch revealed that companies with managed IT service providers secure an average of 25% of IT-related expenses as compared to those who manage them in-house. It is certain that outsourcing can prevent breaking the bank. It avoids the need for investment in hiring and training internal IT engineers.
7. Enhanced Security Awareness
Non-technology-based companies hardly remain aware of the latest security measures. With these IT specialists, they can train their in-house non-technical staff about the best cybersecurity practices. For example, data operators can be able to recognise phishing attempts and integrate strong passwords through these pieces of training by IT specialists.
With them, various companies can build a culture of security awareness. It can minimise human-generated risks or errors that lead to data breaches and cyberattacks.
Conclusion
Increasing cyber threats is a matter of great concern. A company can hire an experienced managed IT service provider to overlook data and security requirements.
Its incorporation can help in proactively controlling and detecting cyber threats and data mismanagement. Their recovery plans and backup strategies can prove an affordable alternative to managing their data and IT resources.
Besides, it won’t cost a lot. Their upskills, state-of-the-art tools, and expertise can help small to medium-scale industries implement the best practices for avoiding cybercrimes and breaches.
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