Managed IT services consist of an extensive range of technologies meant to keep your business running smoothly. Typically, managed IT services also include network management, storage management, help desk support, security procedures and other related processes that are meant to ensure your company is running at optimal performance.

As part of the managed services, security is also included. This means that your business will receive proactive cybersecurity measures to protect you against prevalent daily threats. It’s important to note that this isn’t the same as having a full-time, dedicated IT security department. Cybersecurity professionals who work for managed service providers (MSPs) offer a unique perspective, one that can offer you peace of mind when it comes to the security of your company.

In essence, managed IT services and cyber security go hand in hand. This is why so many businesses are beginning to rely on MSPs for a wide range of services to ensure they’re maximizing their productivity and efficiency. With offices all over the world, managed service providers can provide your company with a new level of support.

What Does an MSP Do?

MSPs typically offer companies with fully outsourced technology and cybersecurity solutions that allow businesses to focus on their core competencies without having to worry about all of the hardware and software required to keep things running smoothly. Not only that, MSPs have a hefty amount of expertise when it comes to keeping businesses secure from all types of cyber attacks.

Beyond offering help desk support and other IT services, cybersecurity is becoming one of the most important issues facing companies today. As sensitive information is stored more and more online, hackers are growing more sophisticated in their abilities to access this information and make it public. Just look at the number of high-profile data breaches happening on a regular basis. This is why companies should consider working with an MSP for proactive cybersecurity, instead of relying on their own in-house IT department to handle things.

What Are Some Benefits of Working With an MSP?

There are four areas where MSPs typically provide a benefit. They include:

Productivity – When companies outsource their IT needs to an MSP, they’re allowing themselves to become more productive. The money that would have been spent hiring people to take care of the various technological issues is instead put into growing other aspects of the business.

Cost Savings – Managed services often cost less than hiring your own IT team. This is largely due to the fact that you don’t have to pay for benefits, recruitment and any training expenses associated with new employees. Not only that, but MSPs typically charge clients on a flat-rate basis instead of billing them each hour for services, which can lead to savings of up to 25 percent.

A Comprehensive Approach – MSPs are able to deliver comprehensive solutions that meet the needs of pretty much every business out there. This means you get all of your IT done by one company without having to hire multiple vendors for different components of the job.

Expertise – The MSPs that handle your company’s IT services are able to provide you with the same level of expertise that you would expect from hiring your own IT staff. This is because they’re constantly working with other companies in a wide range of industries, meaning their knowledge base is diverse and expansive.

End-to-end Solutions

For companies that think they have a handle on their own cybersecurity, it might be time to consider moving towards a managed service provider. This is especially true if your company’s technology is taking up more and more of your time without providing the solutions you need.

By working with an MSP, you can rest easy knowing that you’ll be getting all of the support you need for a lot less money out of your pocket.

What Are Some Risks Associated With Managed IT Services?

With everything there are pros and cons, but MSPs have been able to prove themselves time and again when it comes to providing excellent service without breaking the bank. This is why so many businesses regard them as the future of IT support.

That being said, there are a few risks associated with hiring an MSP. They include: Lack of Control – When you outsource your services to an MSP, you’re giving up some level of control over what’s happening in the background. While many companies view this as a positive because they can focus on other aspects of their business, it can be a drawback if you need to know what’s going on with your technology at all times.