Cybercriminals are continuously evolving, finding new and improved ways to hack into networks. Yet, most companies tend to dismiss the thought of investing in advanced security technologies as they falsely believe that their company will never be a target.
Who Benefits from Outsourced IT?
Small businesses are just as likely to be the target of cyber-attacks as large corporations. Protecting your digital assets is an incredibly complex task, as it calls for constant threat management, network monitoring, and intrusion detection. Most small and midsize businesses (SMBs) don’t have the adequate resources or experience needed to secure their personal and sensitive data, making them an attractive target for cybercriminals.
If you don’t think your SMB can afford to outsource your IT security needs, think again. Any size company can now outsource at least a portion of their cyber security operations, which is a great way to save time, money, and close the ever-growing IT skills gap that challenges many businesses. If you’re wondering whether or not you should outsource your IT security to a professional, here are five suggestive signs that it may be time.
1. High-Risk Industries
Hackers tend to target any industry that deals with personal customer data/research or IP-related information. Here are some examples of prime victims:
- Healthcare
- Government
- Finance
- Legal
- Manufacturing
Keep in mind that this list is tentative, and even if your business doesn’t directly fall under any of these categories, you’re still not entirely in the clear.
Benefits of Outsourcing Your IT:
Outsourced, specialized IT consultants have access to the latest technology, giving them the tools and knowledge to perform any necessary security solutions. Not only that, but security companies who have experience with your industry policies and requirements call for less of a learning curve.
2. Cloud Expansions
As your dependence on the cloud grows, so does your associated security risk. Although investing more resources in the cloud can be a smart business move, spreading your data and resources across several clouds can cause quite a mess. Not only that, but managing various security models and maintaining visibility across the cloud can be extremely time-consuming.
Benefits of Outsourcing Your IT:
IT security firms help businesses build a reliable IT infrastructure and set of operations to unify and protect their frequently growing cloud.
3. BYOD Complications
It’s inevitable, employees are bound to use their personal devices for work purposes at some point, whether you have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy in place or not. Most employees don’t have ill intentions when doing so – they just lack an understanding of proper security protocols.
By utilizing various devices, software, and operating systems, you’re making both yourself and your company much more vulnerable to hackers. BYOD policies allow for more control over company resources while employees work on devices they’re comfortable using.
Benefits of Outsourcing Your IT:
Outsourced IT companies can help create and enforce acceptable use of BYOD guidelines, security controls, and password requirements. With their help, you can save time/resources and rest easy knowing your business is more secure.
4. Lack of Security Professionals
Security is a full-time job, meaning you need a team of professionals who can dedicate time and effort to managing your security. Hiring IT staff is already an expensive task, but as technology evolves, you’ll also need to pay for extensive training, certifications, and classes to ensure expertise.
Benefits of Outsourcing Your IT:
By outsourcing your security, you can gain instant access to a highly qualified team of professionals, all the while saving the time and money you’d typically have to spend on an in-house team.
5. Cyber Attacks
If you’ve ever experienced a breach, you know that the recovery process is not easy or cheap. Salvaging lost resources and earning back the trust of your customers can take months and sometimes even years.
Moving forward from a breach, you need to create new rules, systems, and policies to double down on security, making it crucial to update your security systems continually.
Benefits of Outsourcing Your IT:
Outsourced IT companies monitor your security systems 24/7 and only notify you of critical alerts, allowing for peace of mind and less of a burden on your in-house IT staff. Working alongside an outsourced team of professionals ultimately creates a more productive work environment for everyone.
Final Thoughts
In-house IT staff can quickly become overwhelmed with pre-existing projects. By outsourcing your cybersecurity, you’re allowing your team to shift their focus back on current business projects, alleviating any lingering stress caused by ongoing technical difficulties.
Here at Parried, our team of specialized professionals provide a range of services, including:
- Managed IT Services
- Cyber Security
- IT Consulting
- Instant IT Services
If you’re interested in learning more about our services or need help in securing your IT infrastructure, contact us today for a free IT consultation.
