Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, a majority of companies have had to make the switch to working remotely to protect employees. This happened quickly when the pandemic was new, and we were told to enforce social distancing. We had to adapt to the acceptance and implementation of becoming a remote workforce. Managed Service Providers (MSPs) have been instrumental in providing IT support to businesses across the globe. They assist businesses and companies by securing, monitoring, and maintaining networks and IT infrastructure.
Over the last 12 months or more, the demand for MSP partnerships has exploded due to the huge increase in remote working. And it won’t go back anytime soon. In fact, over 75% of the workforce hopes to continue working from home when the pandemic ends. The surge in interest is thanks to the huge benefits managed services offer. With this in mind, let’s take a look at what these benefits are for using someone to manage your IT.
Improved Network Performance
Having a network that performs well is vital for efficiency. This is even more important now that people are working in lots of different environments. If a network can receive, transmit and exchange data easily, we can consider its performance to be good. We achieve this efficient data exchange by making sure there is the right balance between qualitative and quantitative data. This is the task of network administrators who measure, review and improve services so employees can access the network without issue. This means both in-office and remotely.
When a company delegates the role of the network administrator to a Managed Service Provider, it makes tackling the challenges of remote working a lot easier. The technological advancement and expertise of an MSP fills the need for an in-house IT team and increases its proficiency. Managed Service Providers have better resources and experience to identify and fix network problems in real-time. What’s more, with an MSP’s continuous monitoring, there is less room for error and fewer problems relating to server space. There is also less downtime.
Accessing the Latest Technology
The culture of remote working means that many companies have fast-tracked evolving their technology. Alongside a change in tech, there is an inevitable need for infrastructure changes. With a robust MSP, growing businesses can tap into new technology enhancements. New technology means that companies have tools like hosted telephone systems, virtual desktops, and VPN, as well as lots of applications that provide help for remote working and productivity. Migrating to a web-based cloud needs careful consideration, however, as there are risks if you have no cloud experience.
24/7 MSP Support Available
With an in-house team, support is generally only available during working hours. Many MSPs, however, provide around-the-clock services for tech issues, including remote workers.
Some business owners are skeptical about the value of 24/7 support. That’s because the value is hidden, like the saying, out of sight, out of mind. We’ll just touch on two of the biggest features of 24/7 value as examples.
First is continuing cybersecurity support. It’s safe to say that hackers never sleep. So why should your business? MSP’s monitor cybersecurity threats overnight as part of their coverage. This gives you an extra layer of safety that you don’t have if everyone goes home at 5:00.
The second benefit that goes unnoticed is getting network projects done while the workstations are idle. This can be updating or installing software, backing up files, or migrating huge chunks of data to the cloud. This means there is no downtime for your employees. The days of gathering around the water cooler while engineering runs updates are long gone. Also, running these tasks in the middle of the night usually means a lower cost of electricity. Especially in the summer months.
Risks of Working Remotely
With remote working, employees are seen as a weak link for cybersecurity. This risk has grown since companies have had to switch to remote working quickly and without warning.
So, what risks are there with remote workers and how can MSPs help?
The most likely things to bring organizations grief are ransomware, credential theft, risky clicks, and phishing campaigns. A big concern for business is exposed compromised credentials. If workers have weak or reused passwords, it makes for an easy way in for cybercriminals and hackers.
We can’t stress enough the importance of password hygiene. This step, along with regular employee training, goes a long way in protecting your company from cyber-attacks.
How can MSPs help to reduce risks associated with remote working?
An MSP will install anti-virus software in every workstation. Both in-office and remote. This protects employees from immediate danger and defends employees from malicious emails and ransomware attacks. MSPs will also monitor networks regularly for threats, and will backup data regularly. This means if there is a breach or crash, the MSP can help recover any lost data.
Using an MSP to help with remote working is a great way to enhance your performance and protect your data. Tasks like migrating on-premises infrastructure to the cloud require careful consideration. It must be done correctly.
As your MSP we are here to help you with all of your technology needs. From PCs to servers, phone systems to the cloud, we can help. Whenever you need us, don’t hesitate to contact us!