For SMEs, creating and executing a powerful cybersecurity plan can be tough. You have a growing business to run, a hard-working team to manage, and any number of other tasks stacked high on your plate. Keeping track of your cybersecurity can be complex and time-consuming enough without a thousand other items to juggle at the same time.
That’s why countless SMEs choose not to handle their own IT infrastructure and leave it to a company providing managed IT services instead.
A reliable managed service provider (MSP) with proven experience can enhance your SME’s cybersecurity with a tailored plan. They’ll work with you to identify your needs and secure your business against a wide range of threats.
How does it work? Below, we’ll explore six reasons why managed IT services can take your cybersecurity to another level.
Get a Comprehensive Cybersecurity Evaluation with Managed IT Services
Before an MSP starts building your bespoke cybersecurity package, they’ll perform an in-depth evaluation of your current IT infrastructure. This gives them an invaluable insight into:
How you work presently
How secure your setup is
What they need to do to help keep your SME safe
The amount of time required to complete your evaluation can differ depending on the size of your business, the complexity of your operations, and the sophistication of your IT infrastructure.
But by the time this first step is complete, a great MSP will have the right information to recommend a cybersecurity plan as part of your managed IT services. They can then put it into effect and provide you with invaluable peace of mind.
Implement the Latest Cybersecurity Solutions
There is an extensive selection of cybersecurity solutions on the market. If you’re handling your SME’s security in-house, researching your options and choosing the right one(s) for you can be punishingly tough.
Not only do you need to browse product after product, scouring their features and reviews, you have to consider pricing too. Some solutions will fit your budget well, but may not offer the level of protection you believe you need. Others will be packed with security features but at a cost beyond your current capabilities.
Without experience and knowledge of cybersecurity software and tools, you could struggle to understand which features will genuinely benefit your SME. But when you choose managed IT services, you don’t have to worry about shouldering this burden at all.
Instead, you can trust your MSP to find a deal that aligns with your finances but still delivers everything you require.
Hardware and software procurement is a key component of high-quality managed services — and that includes cybersecurity solutions. Your SME will be secured with the best tools on the market that work with your budget.
Software is Regularly Updated to Ensure the Latest Security Measures
Being lumbered with outdated software is another drawback of managing your own IT infrastructure. The platforms and tools you depend on to operate will require updates to remain effective from time to time. These add enhancements in various areas, including security.
Without updating your software regularly, your IT infrastructure could become less secure than it should be. Bad actors are more likely to find vulnerabilities in outdated software, possibly enough to give them a backdoor into your network.
Managed IT services will ensure that your SME’s software is always up to date with the latest patches and fixes. That will make it more difficult for hackers and cyber criminals to sneak into your systems.
Proactive Network Monitoring
Taking effective action after a cybersecurity attack is critical, but preventing it in the first place can save a lot of stress, financial risk, and possible reputational damage. That’s why proactive network monitoring is so important to SMEs.
When an MSP includes network monitoring in its managed IT services, you can rest assured that specialists are watching out for signs of suspicious activity. They can spot inconsistencies and patterns associated with threats, then pull out all the stops to prevent an attack completely.
As a result, you can focus on running your SME while your network is in good hands.
Data Backup and Restore to Get You Back Online
Managed IT services include backup and restore solutions to ensure business continuity. That’s essential to avoid lengthy downtime after a disaster, whether that’s due to a large-scale cyber attack or something else (e.g. a fire or flood).
Your key files and sensitive data will be backed up to the cloud securely. Only employees with the necessary permissions can access those files in the future, from anywhere in the world. That reduces the impact that even a severe breach can have on your business.
Training for Improved Security Awareness and Vigilance
When employees understand how common cybersecurity threats work, they may be less likely to miss signs of suspicious activity. For example, if they know the main red flags that signal a potential phishing scam, team members can take the necessary action to mitigate the risk instead of becoming a victim.
A reputable provider of managed IT services will give your SME a better understanding and awareness of cybersecurity issues. Your workforce will be better prepared to identify the signs of an impending attack and follow the relevant procedure to prevent a crisis.
A key part of an effective response, though, is creating a clear cybersecurity plan. Employees should have access to information on what to do, who to call, and other steps to follow when a breach could happen or is happening.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity is a common concern for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Canada. As bad actors have a vast range of techniques and technologies at their disposal, it’s easier for them to target businesses with fewer resources and less money to invest in state-of-the-art security measures than to go after major organizations.
But NETWORTH is here to help SMEs across the Greater Toronto and Southern Ontario area. Our dedicated managed IT services cater to small and medium-sized enterprises on varied budgets, in diverse sectors.
To learn more about how we can help keep your business safe, schedule a consultation!