The last year has changed the way we see and understand the world. It has proven that technology can be a game changer for economies, governments, enterprises, and people.
In today’s IT landscape, it has never been more important to stay ahead of the curve, and organisations are increasingly looking for support from managed IT service providers (MSP). An MSP can proactively monitor your IT infrastructure for updates or potential threats, seamlessly fill in-house skills gaps, and provide support to remote workers.
As remote and hybrid working is being implemented widely, it is important to understand how these new work practices could dramatically increase organisations’ exposure to cyberthreats. In the wake of numerous high-profile breaches and rapid digital transformation amid the COVID-19 pandemic, organisations across industries are looking to increase investments in security measures. According to a 2020 PwC survey, more than half (55%) of technology and security executives plan to increase security budgets in 2021. Now is the time to create a resilient cyber security programme that can help your business stay safe and protect your confidential data.
Given the rapidly changing technology landscape and increasing number of cyber threats, hiring an MSP can help businesses remain agile, control costs, quickly respond to competitive opportunities, get ahead of potential threats, and align IT with evolving business objectives.
In this blog we highlight the top five benefits of working with a MSP:
1. Increased transparency while working remotely
Due to the reduced accessibility and visibility that comes with remote working, more often than not, internal IT teams do not have the capacity to keep up with the latest cybersecurity concerns, such as firewall management, endpoint protection, malware updates, and advanced threat prevention. This is where an MSP specialising in security comes in. They can proactively monitor advanced threats and offer incident response and event investigation services to easily manage security and IT risks while working from home. This provides more transparency and prevents enterprise-wide intrusions.
They can also enhance endpoint security by enabling server security, patch updates, firewalls, and installing software against viruses. If data is compromised, it can lead to irreparable losses and damage brand reputation. Therefore, it is vital to have a secure connection and end-to-end transparency of all the devices being used for work purposes.
2. Improved cybersecurity
An MSP can take a lot of work off your hands when it comes to detecting and addressing vulnerabilities by using a more proactive approach and anticipating potential threats, especially for targeted cyberattacks.
Another added benefit – they are available (up to 24 hours a day in some cases) to take calls and resolve issues on the go, no matter where you are located.
Some MSPs, including Paradyn, can provide advanced cybersecurity offerings such as CIS Controls, to provide highly integrated approaches to security there. CIS Critical Security Controls are a globally recognised recommended set of actions for cyber defence that provide specific and actionable ways to stop today’s most pervasive and dangerous attacks.
3. Helps with compliance
Most industries are becoming increasingly regulated, particularly in terms of safeguarding customer data. It can be difficult to implement cyber security plans that also ensure compliance. If your cybersecurity infrastructure does not adhere to new and updated compliance terms, you might find yourself in breach of those regulations. Again, your MSP can come to the rescue as they stay on top of such changes in the industry, providing expertise and systems to help your company meet the various regulations, such as GDPR compliance,.
4. Access to the latest developments in the IT industry
MSPs are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills required to solve IT issues. They are highly trained and accredited, are aware of evolving trends and closely monitor the cybersecurity landscape. As a result, they can provide your business with the proactive support and systems your business needs. Additionally, as subject matter experts, they are capable of providing the best advice relating to your IT needs and safeguarding your data.
5. Peace of mind for businesses
Using a managed IT service provider can give businesses the time to focus on what they do best – running their business – and in turn, free up staff to focus on their core roles. Internal IT teams can use their time to extend services and innovate, rather than having to deal with added strain.
Additionally, as more organisations choose to stay remote or adopt hybrid models, business owners have the reassurance that their data and devices are protected by a dedicated team.
While the past year has posed a number of challenges, it also gave rise to new business opportunities and expedited developments in cybersecurity. In 2020, Paradyn launched its TotalView Operations Centre in response to the significant increase in malicious threats being faced by businesses during COVID-19.
This new facility has increased Paradyn’s managed service capability and is helping Irish private and public sector organisations to remain secure against an increasing volume of cyber threats. It also enables proactive monitoring of the potential cyber threats associated with remote working. This includes the overview of mobile device management solutions, which ensures that staff working from home can only access company networks through authorised and secure devices.
The TotalView Operations Centre gives organisations a 360-degree view of their network through Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) modules. Simply put, it helps with real-time visibility across the organisations information security systems. It also provides endpoint patching – a process of distributing and applying updates to software. These patches are often necessary to correct vulnerabilities in the software. To add to these features, the TotalView Operations Centre can also provide a broad set of integrated functionalities within a single platform with Security Orchestration, Automation and Response (SOAR). The end goal of using a SOAR platform is to improve the efficiency of physical and digital security operations. Ultimately, this level of integration and always-on monitoring system helps organisations get the most value of their cybersecurity investments.
Paradyn’s managed security services can provide a holistic view of your business environment, no matter how simple or complex it is. Why not contact us today to find out how we can improve your operational security while reducing costs.
