Why outsourcing IT support increases your network and cyber security
Outsourcing IT support and network security systems is increasing in the UK, with many SMEs deciding that the additional flexibility, scalability and low costs of outsourcing represent the best decision for business needs. Outsourcing your network management and support also offers many increases in security than keeping these in-house; the experts at CARA have listed the top four reasons why outsourcing is of vital importance to any SME who values their security.
1. Advanced skills and expertise
Trying to find highly qualified IT staff who have experience in your sector may prove difficult, especially for a small or newly formed business. Combined with the time investment and the high costs associated with IT staff with specialist skill-sets, it’s no wonder businesses are preferring to outsource.
Outsourcing means you will have a number of different experts available to solve a vast array of problems that might arise, all with experience in specific fields at a fraction of the cost of hiring these people for your firm. It also provides you with the flexibility of skills and expertise needed for growing your business without having to train in-house employees for changes, removing unnecessary costs and time delays which would be better spent elsewhere.
2. Constant network monitoring
Most businesses are closed at night, certain days of the year, and some are shut for the weekend. Hackers are not going to operate at the same times, and are actually more likely to attempt to break into your systems when no one is using them. Outsourcing means there will be software and skilled experts constantly monitoring your system for any signs of inconsistencies and suspicious activity. By being alert to attacks at all times, your system will be safer, and any problems will be immediately identified and dealt with.
3. State of the art technology
Outsourcing means you don’t have to rely on researching, installing and learning how to use the latest technology and software all the time, as that is provided for you. As systems improve, the number of bugs, back-doors and other exploitable areas are reduced, leaving fewer ways for your system to be compromised. Equally, outsourcing companies invest large sums of money into the latest and most effective monitoring software, giving smaller companies the security and peace of mind they require, without compromising their budgets.
This has the added advantage of levelling the playing field, allowing smaller SMEs to compete with the bigger firms in the same sector without having to fund and divert other resources to their IT systems.
4. Proactive security approaches
Most in-house IT teams can only take a reactive approach to network defence, due to software limitations, budget constraints and a lack of manpower. However, by outsourcing, your network security team will use the latest technology and expert insight into the developments of the cyber security sector to take a proactive approach, preventing problems before they arise in the first place.
