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Business Resource Center - B2B Technology Articles
Management is a team effort
Extra effort, manpower may be needed
How many IT professionals does it take to manage a business’ network? While the exact number cannot be firmly stated, I can say with certainty that it takes more than just one or two individuals to make sure a company’s network is up and running and keep its valuable data and information protected. Why? Technology is changing so quickly that it is nearly impossible for one individual to manage. In the 1990s, one internal IT employee was able to keep a business’ system running properly. This is no longer the case. Today it takes a team of knowledgeable IT professionals to stay ahead, to keep a business’ network functioning properly, and to ensure that its valuable information is protected.
Managed services include a number of services that keep an organization’s network and data safe from threats. At Integrity, we call this a Proactive Protection Program. Many businesses are seeking this type of outsourced assistance – especially as technology becomes increasing complicated, as the volume and severity of threats increase, and as the information we store on our networks is essential to the success of our business.
Further, the technology needed to monitor systems and proactively prevent problems has advanced but most businesses can’t afford or support these important and complex systems. It makes sense to look externally for those who can. Unfortunately, many businesses learn they need to seek proactive protection the hard way when their systems go down, data is lost or stolen, or when productivity is impacted. Others just need to understand how Proactive Protection Programs work and why they are essential. Take a minute to get up to speed!
Proactive Protection Programs uncovered
Proactive Protection Programs encompass a number of technology functions and systems. We typically start the process with a critical step called Technology Mapping. This includes having a business discussion about your business’ goals, systems, and data in order to ensure that solutions offered will meet your needs. We ask questions to gain a firm understanding of your goals, what information is most critical, and what role and impact your technology has within your organization. Your answers help determine exactly what types of systems and services you need now and what you will need in the future. As a business leader, you need solid consultation to identify and understand the impact that technology upgrades or changes will have on your business and your bottom line.
From there, recommendations are made as to how you can utilize Proactive Protection Programs. Some companies benefit from a total package that includes everything from patching and security updates to helpdesk services and monitoring to managed security and virus protection. Others may choose individual services and handle the rest in-house. No matter the option(s) selected, the goal is to match your business’ needs with your technology capabilities, providing the services you cannot or do not want to perform within the walls of your organization.
Slow and steady progress
The trend of using Proactive Protection Programs has been slow, but eventually all small to medium-sized businesses will consider these programs. Larger, enterprise-sized businesses will typically perform these services in-house with an internal staff that rivals the size of an external IT company. But companies under 100 employees will need a reliable business technology partner that can assist them in managing their technical resources and protecting their data and information.
The main reason for this shift is due to changing technology and the need to store so much critical data and information within our networks. One or two internal staff members can no longer handle everything that needs to be managed on a network of 10 or more computers. Think about it this way: if Microsoft issues a critical security patch that needs to be applied on every machine in your business, your IT person could spend an entire day, if not more, just applying the patch on every machine. Who is left to troubleshoot additional problems that may occur, handle system monitoring, and stay on top of changing technology – all the while producing a report to show you how and where your network’s vulnerabilities lay? Probably no one. This is just one example of why companies rely on business technology companies to assist with those technology issues that one person can manage.
Those that are slow to adopt this style of thinking are usually those who do not fully understand the vulnerabilities and risks that exist. Often we hear a business owner say: “I have a firewall.” It takes a multi-layered approach to security and a proactive plan for monitoring to help protect your company from possible threats. Remember, hackers aren’t trying to “take you down” any longer – they want to keep you running so they can use your server to send e-mails or download your customer lists. And they want to do it undetected. Proactive Protection Programs can be your best defense against potential threats.
A team approach
Whether you have a staff of one or a team of 20 IT professionals, a Proactive Protection Program is a valuable tool in your security and technology management arsenal. In fact, the IT professionals that are the most competent and secure in their jobs welcome partnership with external Business Technology companies because they truly know and understand how hard it is to manage technology and technical resources as well as protect vital information. An external Business Technology company can help your internal staff become more efficient and productive and free up their time for larger matters.
Those who are responsible for your company’s technology are indirectly responsible for its profit (or lack there of!). They are the bridge between downtime and production as well as the protector of your most important resource – information. At one time, this champion could stand alone, but today you need more than what one warrior can provide.
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