Managed IT Services Blog

Microsoft 365 licensing just got more complicated.

Partnering with a managed services provider (MSP) makes good business sense, given the complexity of the IT environment and tech talent shortage. More organizations are turning to top managed service providers to support their technology assets and address growing security threats. Managed service provider companies also give customers the flexibility to adapt to new opportunities and changing market conditions.

How secure is your IT environment? Probably not as secure as you think.

CFO tells us that 75% of security professionals have observed an increase in cyberattacks over the past year. These attacks have a major price tag attached. The global average cost of a data breach in 2023 was $4.45 million, a 15% increase over three years, highlighting the growing financial burden on organizations, according to IBM.

Security awareness training helps strengthen the weakest link in the security chain — humans. A well-designed training program will help users understand security risks, recognize threats and avoid falling victim to social engineering attacks.

Many cyberattacks exploit multiple vulnerabilities across the IT environment. Traditional security tools are often unable to combat these complex, multi-vector attacks.

For most small organizations, the decision to outsource IT functions to a managed services provider (MSP) is typically easy. It doesn’t make economic sense to hire an IT professional to manage and maintain the organization’s systems and network. Outsourcing provides access to IT expertise and responsive support, ensuring that staff stay productive and focused on the organization’s core business.

Cybersecurity is much more than a technology tool. It’s a strategy, mindset and set of best practices that are integrated into every aspect of the business. To achieve truly effective cybersecurity, stakeholders need to have strategic conversations about the most likely threats and their potential impact. Only then can the organization select the right tools and ensure they have the resources to achieve their security objectives.

In today’s world, understanding and preventing data spillage is a must. Why?

Today's business environments are more interconnected than ever before. Choosing the right business IT solutions provider is essential for fostering operational efficiency, ensuring seamless communication, and maintaining a competitive edge. As IT infrastructure forms the backbone of modern enterprises, the right provider can catalyze growth, streamline processes, and fortify cybersecurity protocols.

Partnering with a managed services provider (MSP) makes good business sense, given the complexity of the IT environment and tech talent shortage. More organizations are turning to MSPs to support their technology assets and address growing security threats. MSPs also give customers the flexibility to adapt to new opportunities and changing market conditions.

Today’s digital landscape is constantly growing, changing, and evolving. If you’re having trouble keeping your organization’s IT needs up to date, you’re certainly not alone. Yet, effective IT management is too crucial for your current and future success to ignore. Businesses, regardless of size or industry, rely heavily on modern technology to streamline operations, enhance productivity, and maintain a competitive edge.

Ransomware is getting real.

Although some companies are issuing return-to-office mandates, most acknowledge that remote and hybrid work is here to stay. Fact is, remote work works — studies show that employees are just as productive working remotely. Remote and hybrid work strategies also save organizations money and provide intangible benefits that make employees happier and more engaged.

As we noted in our last post about endpoint security, malicious actors increasingly exploit security vulnerabilities in endpoint devices such as laptops, tablets and smartphones. However, endpoint security has become far more difficult due to the huge numbers of remote and hybrid workers using unsupported devices to access network resources.

In our last post, we discussed some of the challenges of maintaining regulatory compliance in the age of remote work. We used the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS compliance) as an example. As organizations work to ensure compliance with the latest version, PCI DSS 4.0, they must extend those efforts to offsite staff. PCI DSS applies to remote workers who access, store, process or transmit cardholder data.

Endpoint devices facilitate remote and mobile work by allowing users to connect to the corporate network from almost anywhere. That also makes them enticing targets for malicious actors.

Technology breaks. Today’s hardware and software are extremely reliable, but something will inevitably become unstable or just stop working. To minimize the impact of such failures, it’s important to have contingency plans for the repair or replacement of your IT systems.

A company’s digital ecosystem being complete and up-to-date is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. This has made the efficiency of IT management a cornerstone for success, regardless of your company size or industry. As businesses strive to stay competitive and relevant in an increasingly interconnected world, the demand for seamless, reliable, and secure IT infrastructure has never been higher.

Backup and cybersecurity go hand in hand. Regular backups are the last defense against downtime if data is corrupted in a cyberattack. In many organizations, however, backup systems and processes simply aren’t up to the task.

The pace of business continues to accelerate, thanks in part to a mobile workforce and constantly connected customers. Competition is getting more intense. Providing a product or service immediately, effectively and efficiently is essential.

Cybercriminals are developing more sophisticated threats and using automation to launch them in high volumes. In response, organizations are adopting more security tools to help them detect and respond to these threats. The problem is that these disparate tools don’t talk to one another, making it difficult to get a holistic view of the organization’s overall security posture. This challenge is driving increased adoption of security information and event management (SIEM) tools.

The transition to remote and hybrid work styles has had a profound impact on network performance. Massive numbers of remote employees and bandwidth-hungry applications have significantly increased network traffic and intensified connectivity demands. Decades-old WAN designs aren’t up to the task.

The help desk remains a core element of most IT departments, but many organizations struggle with high staff turnover rates. The persistent IT skills shortage makes for fierce competition for technology professionals. Help desk personnel are among those most likely to leave for greener pastures.

Ever interact with a contact center agent who relied heavily on a script? Odds are, it wasn’t the best experience. Scripted interactions tend to lack personality, even if the agent inserts your name at the right points. Such interactions can also be frustrating if the script doesn’t align with your needs and the agent can’t adjust.