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Managed IT vs. Outsourced IT illustrative Image

Nowadays the terms “managed IT services” and “outsourcing” are used interchangeably, which can be done, but is a mistake most of the time. Some believe that the first term is just a fancy way of saying the latter, but it’s nothing like that.

Both hiring a MSP and outsourcing has its time and its place and will greatly depend on your in-house resources and your own situation. In this article we want to focus on the vast difference between Managed IT and IT outsourcing so you have a better understanding o0f both concepts and can make a funded decision.

 

IT security risks

Small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) are by no means immune against cyber security threats. On the contrary, they may even be more at risk as cyber criminals often see them as softer targets because they may lack the robust cyber security measures and infrastructures to protect valuable information. 

Many SME owners feel vulnerable to attacks targeted at their networks, but worry about the cost of finding suitable security solutions. 

The first step to take is to inform yourself of the common types of cyber security threats out there and to establish how to protect your company against them. What can you do yourself and when do you need to ask for help?

Cyber attacks including phishing and ransomware operators are on the rise – leaving many businesses vulnerable to costly security breaches. Stolen data, a loss of productivity and reputational damage are some of the potential fall-outs resulting from cyber attacks. 

Home-working during COVID has led to new opportunities for phishers as a result of the more insecure internet connections of remote employees − leading to criminals taking advantage of unpatched systems and architecture weaknesses. An increase in cloud computing also leads to misconfigurations and weaknesses. 

Managet IT Service Team Working

Thinking of upscaling or ramping up your IT services? This is usually the point where business owners have to choose whether to boost their in-house IT capabilities or opt for managed IT support. 

This is one of those important “crossroad” decisions faced by every growing business at some point in its development journey, and getting it wrong can be costly.  

A third option is a hybrid or co-managed approach which includes a combination of in-house and external IT skills to fulfil your business technology needs. 

SME Team at work

Cloud-based services, virtualization and automation have made the delivery of managed IT support more affordable, enabling SMEs to use these managed services to reduce risks, focus on core business and explore new digital technologies. 

As SMEs continue to spend more on IT to embrace digital advances, they are faced with limited in-house capabilities, complexity and high costs. This is where managed IT support could add real value by enabling them to have the systems infrastructure and skills they lack in-house. 

Tech Support Decorative Image

How to bulletproof your company and plan for growth is top of mind for most business leaders and owners as we enter another potentially volatile year. With technology services becoming ever more important in COVID-19 times, investing in a managed IT support partner is the smart way to ensure you hit your 2021 business goals. 

IT Services For Small Companies

By the time small business owners realize they need IT support, it’s often too late as they already face a costly security threat or technical issue that could have been avoided. Smart small business owners realize it is better to be safe than sorry and that investing in IT services for small businesses will save them money, time and sleepless nights in the long run.

Disaster Recovery

All businesses are vulnerable to business disruptions such as extreme weather conditions, economic downturns or, as recently experienced, a worldwide pandemic! Having an effective business continuity and data recovery plan in place is therefore by no means a luxury, but an essential part of every business strategy. 

Companies of all sizes increasingly rely on IT systems to deliver products and services. These services manage large volumes of data, which puts them at higher risk of cyber attacks. Some of this data is business critical. 

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