Small business owners are like parents. They work day and night, giving their all to something that they hope will grow into a successful and helpful part of society. However, some people skip steps along the way that inhibit this growth. One of the most common things that is lacking is their data management and IT support. Hackers know this and specifically target vulnerable small businesses. Not having the right managed services could mean missing the little things that end up with you losing your business.
What is an MSP?
An managed service provider (MSP) is an offsite company that you hire to help with IT support, data management, and cyber security. They are like a contracted IT task force that is there to either replace, or support your current IT.
How is it different than and IT department?
The biggest differences between an MSP and an IT department is that one is in-house while the other is remote, and that you pay an IT department for the people, while you pay an MSP for services.
When you have an IT guy you are paying for someone to be there for you, physically. You are hiring an employee that you must give a salary to, and pay taxes on, but you have them with you specifically for your business.
Alternatively, you are hiring an MSP for services. This could be a security infrastructure overhaul, or an additional support for your current IT team during times of growth, or large projects. MSPs are also great ways to have a team of eyes solving problems together, instead of one person going off on their own.
How will an MSP save my business?
There are some obvious benefits to having an MSP including a cheaper cost, and a bigger team of people to help. However, the biggest benefit is that an MSP will be able to help you prepare better, and recover faster from a ransomware attack.
Ransomware attacks can be devastating. In fact, 60% of small businesses close within 6 months following a ransomware attack. For this reason it’s more important than ever to do everything you can to protect yourself.
MSPs will have a team of cyber security experts around who can work together to solve problems. They have collectively seen more cases than your one IT guy, which makes them more prepared to solve problems. Together they will be able to cover all the bases for tightening your cyber security, while keeping an eye on what’s specifically most important to your particular business.
You will also be more prepared with an MSP on your side. MSPs continuously check and recheck your systems to make sure that everything is up to date. They will keep you current with hacking trends and do everything in their power to make sure you are secured before you are taken advantage of.
Finally, an MSP can help you backup data and be prepared if something does happen. MSPs have people who have seen all kinds of attacks and they will be able to help you figure out the best way to move forward.
Choosing to work with an MSP could be the difference of having your business at the end of the year or not. Skimping on IT security could be the last business mistake that you ever make.
