According to market statistics, the value of outsourced IT services in 2022 will be huge. And it is clear why businesses opt to improve their outsourced IT services. It leads to better software/hardware integration, gaining a competitive edge and even cutting on major costs of keeping an in-house IT team. 

If your company is currently not using them, you will do well to consider what some of the signs that you desperately need to switch to an outsourced IT service are. Here are a few examples: 

• You are currently spending too much on IT – many companies that choose to outsource IT services do so in pursuit of saving money. The reality is that running an in-house IT department takes a lot of money. With outsourced IT services, you pay a predetermined price for a service package that is suitable for you. You don’t need to consider paying an IT employee full time, which can be quite the savings. Besides, you can often save on acquiring expensive IT infrastructure. 
  
  
• You don’t train your in-house staff – IT staff employees require a bit of up-skilling on regular intervals because staying up-to-date with the modern advancements in their area of specialisation can make a world of difference. The IT industry is in constant flux and there are new developments frequently. A small business needs to keep up and without doing costly training of their in-house staff, if they have such, they cannot remain competitive. If you cannot provide your IT staff with such training, your company will prove ineffective. And that is a reason to consider outsourcing IT needs because IT service providers are always on top of major changes. 
  
  
• Your company is vulnerable to security threats – there is no denying the fact that cybercrime is no small threat in the business world. Companies are falling behind on upgrading their security systems and remain vulnerable to cyber threats. Such attacks are quite dangerous and can cause irreversible damage to companies. IT service providers are well-regarded for integrating their latest features in technology, including security. They will implement the solutions in your business and provide you with some much-needed protection. 
  
  
• Your business is growing – if you have started your business from an entrepreneur level, you want to see it grow and expand. With that comes the need to rely on more complex IT infrastructure. You may lack the skills to implement new solutions and support them. That is where IT services come into play. With a reliable partner by your side, you can grow your business and know that the IT aspect is well taken care of. 
  
  
• Your business needs new ideas – even if you want to retain some of your current IT staff, you should know that this may lead to difficulty in getting new ideas for the development of your company. When you outsource your IT needs, you get more access to professional and fresh minds, who can provide some much needed different perspectives. 
  
  
• Your IT projects require niche expertise – one of the best reasons to outsource lies with the fact that you get support for projects requiring niche expertise. Sometimes, even when you have in-house staff at hand, they may not be able to resolve issues with satisfactory success. The best solution then becomes to rely on outsourced IT solutions. 

These are all essential signs to look for and decide that it is time to outsource your IT needs. Do consider them and act swiftly, if you want to stay competitive. 

© Our Tech Team

Many small business owners believe that cyber security is a major challenge, which they cannot overcome in a cost-efficient manner. However, according to IT support experts, it is always the opposite. There are clever tips that small businesses can follow, to ensure they are safe. The following guide aims to shed some light on these tips. 

• Backing up data – as a small business owner, you probably rely on critical data – customer details, orders, quotes and payment details. Operating without them is unthinkable. That is why you need to take steps to ensure you backup your data frequently. That way you can restore crucial information in the case of fire, flood, theft or some sort of physical damage. Keep the backup separate from the main computer and consider using cloud services. An IT support company can provide further details on how you can achieve all of this efficiently and cost-effectively. 
  
  
• Protection from malware – malicious software or malware is web content or software that can seriously harm your company. You need to have anti-virus software. Office equipment usually comes protected with such software with their OS, but you may need to install it for tablets and smartphones. You need to educate your staff to not install dodgy apps. It is important to keep your equipment up to date with the latest versions of antivirus software. 
  
  
• Keep smartphones and tablets safe – speaking of these devices, you need to make sure that the data on them is safe at all times. Because they can often leave the premises of the office and the home you work from, you need more than just baseline protection for them. A complex PIN and a way to track stolen devices are two basic steps you can take in regards to protection. Make sure you don’t connect to random unknown wi-fi hotspots. 
  
  
• Use strong passwords to protect your data – all of your devices contain important business data and information that is essential to your work. All of it needs to be available only to you and not any unauthorised user. To that end, you have to implement the proper passwords. This is a free way to make sure only the right people have access to your data. Using two-factor authentication is a good idea for any important accounts.
  
  Avoid predictable passwords and make sure you implement a schedule for changing passwords regularly. When you acquire devices for the first time, make sure you change the default passwords they come with. This should happen before you distribute the devices to your staff. Make sure you check the devices regularly, to guarantee they have not changed their passwords. 
  
  
• Stay on top of phishing attacks – phishing is when scammers send out many emails to a big number of people, in hopes of getting sensitive information out of them. They can trick the victim into sending money, stealing details or have other motives to access your company information. Regardless, you need to take some proactive steps to reduce phishing attacks. Ensure that your staff is well-educated and knows what to report if need be. Attackers typically rely on publicly available information about your company, to make phishing messages. You need to understand what your clients need to know and what details you share with them on your website, to reduce the risk. 
  
  

All of these cyber-security tips work well to reduce the impact of potential cyber-attacks on a small business. Make sure you implement them, to have peace of mind. 

© Our Tech Team