Managed service providers (MSPs) help businesses take a proactive, holistic approach to managing and protecting their technology infrastructure and data. Even larger businesses with in-house IT departments can benefit from working with an MSP, as they provide comprehensive services and expertise that businesses may not have internally. Here are the top six ways an MSP can keep your business safe:
1. Cybersecurity Services
Managed service providers offer a wide range of cybersecurity services that can help businesses protect themselves from online threats. These services can include managed firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention, antivirus and anti-malware protection, email filtering, and more. By proactively monitoring your network for threats and implementing security measures to prevent attacks, MSPs can help keep your business safe from cybercriminals.
2. Disaster Recovery Planning
No business is immune to disasters, whether they be natural disasters like floods or hurricanes, or man-made disasters like power outages or fires. MSPs can help businesses recover from these disasters by implementing comprehensive disaster recovery plans. These plans typically involve backing up data offsite so that it can be restored in the event of a disaster, and setting up alternate methods of communication so that businesses can stay operational during an outage.
3. Data Backup and Recovery
Data loss is a major concern for businesses of all sizes. Managed service providers can help businesses protect their data with comprehensive backup and recovery solutions. These solutions typically involve backing up data to an offsite location so that it can be recovered in the event of a local disaster, such as a fire or power outage. MSPs can also help businesses recover data that has been lost due to hardware failure or accidental deletion.
4. 24/7 Monitoring and Maintenance
MSPs offer 24/7 monitoring and maintenance of a business’s information technology (IT) infrastructure. This means that they can identify and fix problems before they cause significant downtime or data loss. By proactively monitoring and maintaining your network, MSPs can help keep your business running smoothly and prevent major disruptions.
5. Help Desk Services
Managed service providers typically offer help desk services to their clients, which can be a lifesaver for businesses when something goes wrong with their IT infrastructure. Help desk services provide businesses with access to expert technicians who can troubleshoot and resolve issues quickly and efficiently. This can help reduce downtime and keep your business running smoothly.
6. Strategic Planning
MSPs can help businesses plan for the future with comprehensive strategic planning services. These services can involve planning for future growth, identifying potential risks and vulnerabilities, and developing contingency plans. By taking a proactive approach to planning, MSPs can help businesses avoid problems down the road and keep their operations running smoothly.
By taking a proactive approach to managing and protecting your IT infrastructure, managed service providers can help keep your business safe from a wide range of potential threats. If you’re looking for an MSP to partner with, be sure to ask about their security services and disaster recovery plans. And if you already have an MSP, make sure they are providing all of the services listed above.