In today’s world, cybercrime is more prevalent than ever, posing substantial threats to companies of all sizes, including financial loss, reputational damage, increased costs and operational disruption. The numbers are alarming regarding the prevalence of cyberattacks, as according to Statista, in the first quarter of 2023, there were 6.41 million data records leaked in global data breaches, affecting millions of individuals. Data loss can be costly for businesses – on average, a data breach incident leads to losses of 4.45 million U.S. dollars, including detection, post-breach response, business losses, and notification. However, more often than not, businesses are reactive when it comes to cybersecurity – if an attack happens, they will generally have a plan to help them deal with the consequences and identify what went wrong to prevent such incidents from repeating in the future.
Although this approach to cybersecurity may seem cost-effective, that’s really not the case because recovering from a cyberattack can hurt not only your business’s financial health but also damage your brand’s reputation and affect customer loyalty in the long run. A better approach is to be proactive by investing in a practical solution such as Managed IT Services, enabling your company to access the resources and expertise of a professional IT team and benefit from different services, ranging from support and maintenance to management.
How can Managed IT Services help your business boost cybersecurity?
Enhancing security awareness and training
One of the reasons why you should invest in managed IT services Los Angeles is that it can help you boost security awareness and training among stakeholders and employees alike, decreasing the human factor risks, including social engineering, phishing, and insider threats, that can compromise the security of your company. For instance, with Managed IT Services, you can educate your team through awareness programs, like newsletters, webinars, and simulations, and also provide customized security training and coaching, like mentoring, courses, and workshops.
According to studies, human error is among the main causes of half of data breaches, which showcases the importance of regular employee training sessions and developing a cybersecurity-aware culture within your organization.
Ensuring compliance with industry regulations
Managed IT Services can enhance security and compliance by offering a detailed approach to meeting industry security standards and simultaneously improving trust and reputation among business partners and customers. For instance, with Managed Services, your business can adopt models and frameworks like NIST, ISO 27001, and COBIT, which provide the best practices for managing information security efficiently.
Non-compliance can cost businesses around $14.82 million on average, and knowing this, it’s evident why meeting regulations is paramount for any business that wants to stay ahead of data security; however, this can be challenging for in-house IT staff, especially when it comes to SMBs which have limited expertise. Luckily, an MSP can make a tremendous difference and ease the burden, as such professionals are well-versed in regulatory compliance requirements and can provide all the support your business needs to prevent costly penalties and damaged reputation.
Responding proactively to threats
Approaching cybersecurity proactively helps companies detect and mitigate vulnerabilities before they become more significant issues impacting business operations. Companies often struggle to be proactive regarding complex cyber threats, but that’s where Managed Service Providers step in, safeguarding them against cyber dangers through the most innovative solutions.
For instance, they can identify threats within a system by using predictive modeling and advanced analytics tools, and as soon as they spot any danger, the Managed IT service providers will take immediate action to reduce the impact, ensuring your network remains protected from malicious attacks.
Accessing advanced security measures
Partnering with an IT company in Los Angeles enables you to leverage advanced security tools you may not otherwise access. For example, with Managed IT services, you could benefit from cloud-based security solutions, including encryption, antivirus, firewalls, and identity management, to name just a few, which are excellent solutions for enhancing cybersecurity in your business.
Compared to on-premise systems, these security solutions provide more flexibility, scalability and reliability, and the best part about an MSP is that it can offer a tailored IT strategy that works specifically for you and your unique business goals, supporting the long-term growth of your venture.
Choosing the right Managed IT Services: What to keep in mind
The prosperity of your business depends on the Managed IT Services provider you choose, which is why it’s imperative to weigh your options carefully and partner with trustworthy professionals. There are a few considerations to keep in mind when looking for an MSP, and expertise and experience are among the most important ones. Are they qualified to handle the IT infrastructure of your business? Do they have the necessary expertise to manage your IT systems? What about the services they provide? Are they comprehensive and include security, network, cloud management, and more? These are all essential questions to ask yourself before hiring an MSP because you want to ensure you will get the best services you could ask for, helping you tackle any challenges in your business and meet your current and future needs.
Furthermore, it’s essential to ensure that the company you hire provides IT assistance whenever needed. If you face an issue, you want them to support you in handling it quickly and effectively, reducing downtime and safeguarding your IT system from malicious attacks and harm.
Take action today to hack-proof your business
In a business landscape where cyberattacks have become increasingly sophisticated, incorporating Managed Security Services into your strategy is a smart move that will enhance your cybersecurity and help you allocate resources more efficiently.
As evidenced in the blog, an MSP offers a host of advantages that go beyond traditional outsourcing models, providing businesses with the necessary tools to succeed in the digital era. In the pursuit of excellence, partnering with trustworthy experts is the key to unlocking the full potential of your venture and achieving sustainable growth.