Small businesses often struggle to keep up with the latest advances in information technology (IT) security. They simply don’t have the time or resources to stay ahead of the curve and protect their systems from ever-evolving cyber threats. That’s where outsourcing comes in. By partnering with a managed security services provider (MSSP), small businesses can outsource all or part of their IT security needs, freeing up time and resources to focus on other areas of their business. In this article, we will explore three ways small businesses can profit from outsourcing their IT security needs and give you some advice on how to choose the right MSSP for your business.
Cost Savings
The most obvious benefit of outsourcing IT security is cost savings. When you outsource your IT security needs, you no longer have to invest in expensive equipment and software or pay a team of in-house security experts to manage it all. Instead, you can take advantage of economies of scale and pay only for the services you need, when you need them. This flexibility can help small businesses stay within their budget and free up funds to invest in other areas of their business.
Unless you run an IT-related business, it’s unlikely that you have the expertise in-house to effectively manage all aspects of your IT security. By outsourcing your IT security needs, you can tap into a team of experts who stay up-to-date on the latest security threats and have the knowledge and experience to implement the best possible security solutions for your business. While you might think the up-front cost of outsourcing IT security is higher than managing it yourself, the long-term savings and peace of mind are well worth it.
Optimized Website Speed and Performance
A slow or poorly performing website can frustrate customers and cause them to take their business elsewhere. And, if your website is frequently down, it can damage your reputation and cost you sales. When you outsource your IT security to a team of experts, they will work to ensure that your website is always up and running smoothly. They will also monitor your website for any potential threats and take proactive measures to protect it from attack. As a result, you can rest assured that your website is secure and running at peak performance, giving your customers the best possible experience.
This is especially important if you are running an online store or another type of website that processes transactions. By using a managed hosting solution and other security measures, you can help ensure that your website is running smoothly. If you use WordPress as your content management system (CMS), managed WooCommerce hosting by Nestify can further optimize the speed and performance of your website through proactive security measures, automatic updates, and more. This will lead to enhanced customer satisfaction and increased sales.
Improved Compliance With Industry Regulations
If you are subject to industry regulations, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), you know how important it is to comply with these regulations. Failure to do so can result in costly fines and damage your reputation. When you outsource your IT security needs, an expert team will help you ensure compliance with all relevant industry regulations and avoid any costly penalties. This peace of mind is worth its weight in gold, especially if you are subject to stringent regulations.
Depending on the type of business you run, you may also be required to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This regulation imposes strict requirements on how businesses must handle personal data. If you process the personal data of European Union citizens, you must comply with the GDPR regardless of where your business is located. Failing to do so can result in hefty fines. So be sure to partner with an IT security team that is well-versed in GDPR compliance and can help you meet all the requirements.
Increased Productivity
If your business isn’t properly protected from cyber threats, it’s only a matter of time before you experience a data breach or other cybersecurity incident. These incidents can be very costly, not to mention incredibly disruptive to your business. They can lead to downtime, data loss, and a loss of productivity as you work to contain the damage and get your business back up and running.
By outsourcing your IT security needs, you can help prevent these types of incidents from happening in the first place. And if they do occur, you can rest assured that you have a team of experts on your side who can help you quickly resolve the issue and get your business back up and running. This way, you can avoid any significant disruptions to your operations and maintain high levels of productivity.
Choosing the Right Managed Security Services Provider
While it is important to outsource your IT security needs, it is just as important to choose the right managed security services provider (MSSP). Not all MSSPs are created equal, and it’s important to partner with a team that you can trust to keep your business safe. Here are a few things to look for when choosing an MSSP:
Proactive Security Measures
Your MSSP should take a proactive approach to security, rather than simply reacting to threats as they arise. They should constantly be on the lookout for new threats and implement measures to protect your business from them. The easiest way to do this is to partner with an MSSP that offers managed detection and response (MDR) services. This type of service uses cutting-edge technology, like artificial intelligence (AI), to detect threats that other security solutions would miss.
Round-the-Clock Monitoring
Your MSSP should also offer round-the-clock monitoring of your systems to ensure that they are always safe from attack. They should have a team of experts working around the clock to identify and resolve any security issues that may arise. If you are subject to industry regulations, like the GDPR, your MSSP should also have a team of compliance experts who can help you ensure that you are always in compliance.
Comprehensive Services
When choosing an MSSP, be sure to select one that offers comprehensive services. They should be able to provide you with all the security solutions you need to keep your business safe, including firewall protection, intrusion detection and prevention, malware protection, and more. They should also offer a variety of managed IT services, like cloud computing and application development so that you can focus on running your business while they take care of your IT needs.
As you can see, you can profit from outsourcing your IT security needs in more than one way. By outsourcing your IT security needs, you can save money, improve your cybersecurity posture, and increase your business’s productivity. So if you are serious about boosting your ROI, be sure to partner with an experienced MSSP that can offer you all the services you need to keep your business safe and running smoothly.