Data breaches and extreme weather events have at least one thing in common: they’re both happening more and more frequently. Ransomware attacks alone were up 41%, just in 2022. Even if you avoid these catastrophic events, any number of little, everyday occurrences can knock your business offline.
You need to be prepared with comprehensive solutions like the managed modern workplace. Here are 5 ways managed services can generate peace of mind and prevent the worst-case scenario.
1. Build Resiliency With Cloud Services
Storms, power outages and cyberattacks can take your on-premise systems offline. If a critical line-of-business application was down, how long would it be before you started suffering negative impacts? An hour? A day? And what about data – how much data can you lose before it poses a threat to your organization?
You need to know the answer to these questions whether you’re in the cloud or have on-premise servers. But, as you plan, consider the advantages of using cloud services to create a robust business continuity plan.
- Guaranteed uptime through Microsoft’s global data centers
- Flexible and scalable money-saving configuration options
- Burden-free maintenance and cost of physical servers
- Hyperproductive tools like Microsoft Teams to improve communication
- Increased network security and data backup solutions
2. Lock Down Security
Some threats, like cyberattacks, can be mitigated if you add the right security tools. But you can’t rely on firewalls alone; you also need to educate your employees.
Phishing techniques are constantly evolving and harder to detect – especially if you don’t know what to look for. Your top-of-the-line security software won’t help if someone accidentally emails confidential information to a cybercriminal impersonating one of your vendors. Modern security plans need to include regular employee security training. A managed services provider can help educate your employees and monitor your network endpoints for any suspicious activity or security breaches.
3. Manage Endpoints Comprehensively
With the right endpoint management system in place, you’ll gain control over devices and improve productivity.
Manage devices and secure data
Since 2020, remote work has only grown in popularity, with many workers searching for wholly remote roles. With more employees working in their home offices, using their home WiFi, your network security has to be a top priority. You can use a complete security solution, like Enterprise Mobility + Security, that is capable of protecting your business from cybercriminals and device theft.
Limit downtime with automatic updates
Regardless of the cause, downtime can have disastrous effects on your business. We tend to focus on catastrophic events, but skipping updates can be just as detrimental to your bottom line. As applications run more and more slowly, productivity slips by. Tools in the cloud let you put updates on autopilot with perpetual system and application upgrades.
4. Use Reports To Detect Threats
Most businesses won’t realize they’ve been hacked until they receive ransomware or can’t access their data. You can avoid being caught off-guard with tools like Microsoft Secure Score in the Microsoft 365 security center. You or your Managed IT expert can monitor threats in the dashboard and act on recommendations to improve your security posture.
5. Make Strategic IT Security Investments
Having a plan in place now will prevent issues from arising when the worst-case scenario unfolds. Our is a good place to start. It walks you through questions designed to help you pinpoint what needs to be done before, during and after an incident.
As you create your plan, consult an IT security expert. They will work with you to customize a plan and can check that security tools have been properly configured, data backups work, and no gaps exist in your security strategy.
How a Managed Services Provider Prepares You for Disaster
At Nortec, we view each of the actions outlined above as critical for a business’ success, which is why each is baked into our managed modern workplace. This flat-rate, comprehensive business solution also includes other services like:
- Unlimited remote support
- vCIO debriefing
- Incidence response and escalation
- Hypercollaboration tools, like Microsoft Teams
- Malicious activity monitoring and alerting
- Cloud management
- Cloud Security
With a managed services provider, you won’t need to worry about what will happen when disaster strikes. Not only will you have tools in place to limit the damage, you’ll also have a trusted partner you can rely on before, during and after an incident.
Protect your business today. Contact us online or by phone: 866-531-1990.
