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  • How A Managed IT Service Provider Can Help Your Business

    What can a managed IT service provider do for your company? Won’t you save money by using a break-fix model for your IT asset management and problem management? After all, if everything is working, it doesn’t need to be improved, right? Wrong. Partnering with a managed IT service provider can be more cost effective than the break-fix model. 

     

    Here are several reasons for adopting the managed service provider (MSP) model for your business’s IT management.

    Benefits of Using a Managed IT Service Provider

    A Wide Range of Customizable Services

    When you partner with a managed service company, they should be able to offer your business a wide variety of service options for you and your colleagues to choose from. For instance, if you partnered with us at Hi-Tek Data, you could choose our virtual server and network design  services, while another client might select security awareness training and hosted VoIP for their company. 

    A managed security service provider can focus specifically on network and cybersecurity, if that’s what you want your IT service management (ITSM) to center on. Managed services allow you to customize your IT management to fit your business’s needs. 

    Proactive Service With Updates and Upgrades

    One great benefit of using a managed service provider for your ITSM processes is that they can give you the ITSM tools to improve your IT operations. For instance, your provider can offer you structured cabling if they notice that your business would benefit from it. They can also help you manage your data centers if you have them or upgrade your network to cloud-based services so that you no longer need a physical data center. 

    How can your company afford to pay for all of these upgrades and updates? Unlike the break-fix model, where you pay for a specific set of repairs, businesses pay for managed IT services through a monthly fee or through a per service/per device pricing model. 

    When you pay a managed service provider’s fees, you are paying to maintain a professional relationship with them that lets you access their services. The upgrades, updates, and other improvements can be included in these pricing models. Rather than waiting for something to break and paying high prices to update your network, you can pay as you go and receive these improvements bit by bit. This proactive service model allows you to keep your network up to date instead of waiting for it to become out of date and then have it fixed and upgraded.

    Access to Business Continuity Planning (BCP) and Disaster Recovery Services

    Sometimes the worst happens, and it can put your network and your business out of commission for weeks if not months. Whether you face a ransomware attack or a natural disaster, you will want a partnership with a managed service provider when disaster strikes. 

    An MSP can help you develop a business continuity plan that will determine how your business will recover in the long run after a disaster occurs. BCP includes determining which systems are most critical to getting your business up and running again and which ones can be restored after the critical systems are back online. 

    Disaster recovery is one aspect of BCP, and it focuses on reviving those critical systems so that your business experiences minimal downtime. Your MSP will help you put these incident management plans in place, and they can help you recover in the aftermath of a disaster. 

    Managed Staff Support Services

    When you partner with an MSP, you don’t have to get rid of all your in-house IT staff. Instead, you can take advantage of managed staff support services that augment your in-house staff with temporary staff from the provider. The provider’s staff can work with your IT staff and show them how to improve their processes and implement new solutions. 

    Then, when the provider’s staff members leave, your IT staff members will retain the knowledge and skills that they gained during that period. When you take advantage of these support services, you can help your IT staff improve while implementing new processes and solutions for your business.

    Managed IT Services for NYC and Long Island

    When you search “managed IT services near me,” you should consider Hi-Tek Data for your new MSP. Contact us today if you are interested in the managed services we offer.

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  • IT Best Practices for Small- and Medium-Sized Businesses

    Millions of cyber threats are swarming around the web, but we’ve outlined seven foolproof ways you can keep them away from your most valuable assets.

    The right tech support can have a monumental impact on your business’s bottom line. Today’s world of business technology revolves around cloud computing, which means it’s best to tie all your servers and networks together in a managed bundle. It always helps to have a managed service provider (MSP) in your corner that ensures your business is using the right IT best practices, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up total control of your infrastructure. 

    While these experts have plenty of service offerings that can steer you away from the web’s most critical dangers, you can also take a proactive approach with just a little maintenance and monitoring. The best part is it’s very simple and won’t put a big dent in your budget.

    Here’s what you need to do: 

    Put up a Firewall

    It doesn’t matter how big your business is, because cyber criminals target companies of all sizes. So if you run a small startup operation, you aren’t off the hook—this might make you even more vulnerable to hackers. While larger enterprises typically have more data to steal, small businesses usually have less secure networks, making it easier to breach them. A firewall is one of the best lines of defense you can build around your network. It provides a barrier between your data and cyber criminals. For maximum protection, it’s better to invest in an external and internal firewall system. 

    Make Your Cyber Security Policies Clear

    Companies need structure, especially when it comes to network security. Document any cyber security protocols and share them in highly visible places. Provide all employees with a copy of the safety response procedure. This document shows how to respond properly during technical emergencies. Consider supporting your team with a comprehensive toolkit that contains best practice information, policies and standards, a disaster response checklist, and a list of training resources. 

    Accommodate for Mobile Technology

    In 2016, TechPro Research reported that 59% of businesses in the United States allow “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) policies. And the trend doesn’t show any signs of slowing. With the increasing popularity of smart watches, tablets, and other mobile technologies, it’s critical for businesses to deploy more adaptive security measures. Create a device policy and set up automatic security updates that require company password access. 

    Train Your Team 

    This should go without saying, but it’s necessary to educate all employees on cyber security. Tech criminals are becoming savvier as technology continues to evolve. With that said, hold each employee accountable and continue to inform them about technology policies. In addition, it would be helpful to activate simulated cybert ests. This keeps your employees alert and conditions them to respond appropriately when cyber attacks occur. 

    Establish a Backup Routine

    It’s always smart to train your employees, but there’s no escaping the inevitable. Disasters can strike from any angle at the most inopportune times. Because of that, you’ll want to preserve your most important documents. Be sure to back up files regularly. This includes valuable items such as spreadsheets, business plans, human resource files, financial reports, and any customer-related information. Work with a managed security professional and make sure all your data is regularly restored in a safe data center. 

    Install Antivirus Software 

    Phishing emails are easy to identify, but, unfortunately, people can still fall victim to such traps. Some viruses get through the cracks easily. And if a malware threat ends up in your network, it can spread quickly and cause untold damage. Many malware attacks carry enough power to wipe out your entire server, compromising anything valuable your business possesses. Have a conversation with your MSP to decide which antivirus software is best for your network. 

    Make Your Passwords Authentic

    Always enforce a safe-password strategy. Hackers are easily able to detect passwords through a variety of malicious exercises. Not only should your passwords be protected, but they need to be sophisticated. We recommend that all employees be required to use upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols in their passcodes. Finally, add an extra layer of security with password encryption support. 

    Gain Peace of Mind With New York’s Best MSP provider

    When it comes to managed security, no one is better to have in your corner than the experts at Hi-Tek Data. We are more than just an ordinary managed IT service in New York. We are a team of problem solvers who work around the clock to keep your most valuable information out of harm’s way and ensure your business is using the latest IT best practices. We’re your perfect source for cloud computing, disaster recovery, technology consulting, and beyond. 

    Contact us today and take advantage of a free consultation with one of the industry’s sharpest cybersecurity specialists!

    hitekdata

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