Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are very vulnerable to cyber security breaches. The effects of a severe cyber-attack can be devastating to any type of business. As cyber-attacks continue to advance, many companies are turning to managed service providers (MSPs) to help oversee their technology management and implementation.
MSPs allow businesses to outsource their information technology and cyber security to a skilled and experienced team that provides a network, servers, and other IT services. MSPs can significantly enhance your business’s cyber security strategies, helping to prevent and reduce data breaches.
MSPs can set up role-based permission/authentication for all your networks, applications, and devices. Because MSPs take a solution-based approach to cyber security, you will get complete visibility into all the IT aspects of your business. MSPs provide 24/7/365 monitoring services, allowing you to take a proactive approach, eliminating cyber security threats before they happen. These services can be overlooked by in-house IT departments as they are often busy with the company’s core competencies. MSPs include a full range of proactive IT support that focuses on advanced security, such as continuous monitoring, data encryption, data backup, threat prevention and elimination, firewall protection, and more.
Common types of cyber security risks that businesses face:
- Malware
- Phishing attacks
- Password theft
- Ransomware attacks
- DDoS attacks
- App frauds
- Insider threats
In addition to protecting against and mitigating these cyber security threats, MSPs can lead to faster network performance and a continuity and disaster recovery strategy for your business. With an MSP, you get a committed team of IT professionals ready to help you with any technical difficulties you may encounter. Therefore, an MSP is more effective and cheaper than having an in-house IT department.
An MSP provides:
- A flat monthly fee for services that can be prepared and budgeted for
- Access to highly skilled, experienced, and certified specialists at a set cost
- Organizational support available 24/7
- Access to tools and techniques that you would otherwise have to buy separately
- Electronic management systems for more efficient monitoring and resolution
According to the “2018 State of Cyber security in SMBs” survey from the Ponemon Institute, a private research organization that researches cyber security and data protection, cyber-attacks on SMBs increased from 61% in 2017 to 67% in 2018. Less than 30% of these SMBs evaluated their ability to mitigate threats and attacks as “highly effective,” and over half of the SMBs in the study experienced a data breach in the last year. Most SMBs said attacks against their companies had severe financial consequences. The Ponemon report found that many SMBs spent an average of $1.43 million due to cyber security breaches, a 33% increase from 2017.
About nine out of 10 SMBs would consider switching MSPs for the right cyber security solution, according to the survey “Underserved and Unprepared: The State of SMB Cyber security in 2019” conducted by Vanson Bourne on behalf of Boston-based software platform Continuum. The survey included 850 SMBs across the U.S., UK, France, Germany, and Belgium. 78% of those surveyed are planning to invest more in their cyber security in the next year, and a quarter of them are willing to pay approximately 25% more for an MSP that will meet their cyber security needs.
With an MSP, you have your own digital army – professionals who will fight your cyber security battles for you. Let an MSP do the heavy technological lifting. Not having to be concerned about cyber security threats will allow you to focus your time and energy on your business. With an MSP, you will always have copies of your data safely stored and encrypted elsewhere. For example, if your company experiences a ransomware attack, you can re-deploy your data without having to pay pricey penalties.
With your network being monitored 24/7, any type of attack will be spotted before it can do damage. Your network won’t have the vulnerabilities that most do. The usual holes that hackers exploit won’t exist in your network, meaning your company will be under the radar of most attackers. Off-site encrypted backups greatly assist in the fight against ransomware attack on your network. Your equipment will be updated, your software will be patched regularly, and your network will be solidified. You can rest easy knowing that your business is more secure, and the MSP has your back.
In sum, here are six of the major benefits that MSPs will bring to your business:
- Cost saving
- Access to reliable specialists
- Proactive support and fast response time
- Ready infrastructure
- Optimized risk management
- Enhanced productivity
Why Choose Sparrow Managed Services?
MSPs improve upon your company’s security controls, authentication services, and more, helping to prevent and minimize the many cyber security threats. A wide array of cyber security needs has emerged in just the last few years, and many more will surface in the years to come. An MSP does not only provide security service, but it also can become a partner against new and developing threats.
At Sparrow Managed Services, our mission is to get you the MSP services you need at a budget-friendly price. Cyber security solutions are not merely line-item expenses; they are critical services that keep your business running smoothly. Because of this, we take your needs very seriously, and we are prepared to step in and provide the absolute best MSP services you’ll find.
Sparrow Managed Services has over 15 years of experience in the IT field, and we have worked at some of the largest and most respected companies in the Austin area, including Dell Technologies and Texas Disposal Services. Selecting the right MSP to partner with can make all the difference in the world. Allow us to show you why so many other businesses in the Austin area have trusted us for all their high-quality IT service needs. Call today at 737-216-3552 or reach out to us online to schedule a consultation to discuss how we can help.