Why your business needs an MSP
Why your business needs an MSP: Security and Efficiency through Preventative IT management
What is an MSP?
An MSP, or Managed Service Provider, is a third-party company remotely managing a customer's IT infrastructure and end-user systems. MSPs offer a range of services, including network management, security, monitoring, data backup, and recovery, among others. Their goal is to ensure that IT systems function optimally and provide proactive maintenance to prevent issues before they occur.
MSPs are popular with SMEs where in-house IT capabilities are limited. Equally, larger organisations utilise MSP services where there is a requirement for specialist knowledge or support. For example, in the support of an enclave of Macs, within a predominantly Microsoft environment.
Often an MSP will offer an SLA (Service Level Agreement), a contractual agreement that details the expected services and appropriate metrics.
Benefits of an MSP
Proactive IT monitoring and management helping avoid downtime
Economies of scale, reducing tech costs
Expertise and efficient delivery of services
Experience and support
Flexibility to scale up and down
Knowledge of new and emerging technology
One area often underestimated is the role an MSP plays in helping to avert disasters and manage costs within an organisation thanks to license management and the preventative actions in the management of backup, cyber security, cloud and physical infrastructure.
Managing Backups
Can you be sure that your backups are being maintained to the required level? How do you know they are working?
Failing to monitor backups is leaving them to chance, a risky business; in the event of data breach or loss, it is essential an organisation can rely on backed up data, to minimise downtime and ensure seamless service continuation.
How an MSP helps prevent data loss.
An MSP managed backup is configured by specialists who will ensure that backups are comprehensive and efficient.
Backups are monitored throughout their operational window, ensuring they are operational and any issues can be addressed immediately.
Data restorations are tested regularly providing assurance that backed up data will can be relied upon.
Offsite storage management: Backups are complemented with secure encrypted offsite backups, mitigating the risk from local disasters such as fire, flood, theft or other physical damage.
Reducing Downtime:
Disaster recovery planning, detailing the required steps for efficient data recovery, and then fully testing the plan.
Quick Recovery: With a well-maintained backup system, the organisation can quickly restore data from the most appropriate source, resuming operations with minimal downtime.
Business Continuity: Managed, comprehensive backups ensure business continuity by providing access to important data and systems even during an unexpected event.
Managing Licensing - saving you time and money
Managing software licenses can be a complex and time-consuming task for any organisation. This is where a Managed Service Provider (MSP) becomes invaluable. MSPs ensure that all software licenses are up-to-date, properly allocated, and compliant with vendor agreements. By doing so, they help organisations avoid the legal and financial repercussions of non-compliance, such as fines and penalties.
Additionally, MSPs optimise software usage, preventing over-purchasing and ensuring that the organisation is only paying for what it needs. This not only controls costs but also allows for efficient resource allocation.
With MSP managing licenses, organisations can focus on their core business operations, confident that their software assets are well-managed, and their IT environment is secure and compliant.
In a nutshell, an MSP partner will understand what is available and then provide you with optimal licensing for your organisation. Bearing in mind this will change as your organisation grows, being able to adapt is crucial to maximising your investment and that's another reason why ongoing support is beneficial.
Cost Management:
Cost Control: By keeping track of licenses, organisations can avoid over-purchasing and ensure they are not paying for software licenses that they do not need.
Efficient Resource Allocation: Proper licensing ensures that the organisation is utilising its software resources efficiently.
Compliance:
Avoiding Fines: Proper license management helps organisations stay compliant with software licensing agreements, avoiding potential legal issues and fines.
Access to Updates: Valid licenses ensure that organisations have access to the latest updates and security patches, which can protect against vulnerabilities.
Managing Cybersecurity - Preventing Cyber Attacks
Ensuring robust cybersecurity is a critical concern for any organisation, and this is where a Managed Service Provider (MSP) plays a crucial role in managing security hardware and software. Simply installing cybersecurity software or firewalls, without management is inadequate in today’s climate. Client software fails and attack vectors change constantly.
MSPs provide comprehensive management and monitoring of cybersecurity solutions, ensuring that all systems are protected with the latest security updates and threat definitions. Client and service statuses are managed, with regular scans and real-time monitoring to detect and mitigate threats promptly.
By leveraging the expertise of an MSP, organisations can be confident that their cybersecurity software is configured optimally and functioning effectively, reducing the risk of malware, data breaches, and other cyber threats. This proactive approach not only enhances the security posture of the organisation but also allows internal IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine security maintenance.
Active threat and vulnerability monitoring: An MSP will be abreast of all current threats and vulnerabilities. In the event of a zero-day attack, MSP’s can act much quicker than an organisation without MSP management, and this speed can be the difference between an organisation becoming a victim or avoiding the threat.
Real-time protection: Anti Malware software provides real-time protection against ransomware, malware, viruses, and other malicious software that can compromise an organisation's data and systems.
Regular scans: Scheduled scans help detect and remove threats that may have infiltrated the network, preventing potential damage.
Client monitoring: Anti Malware software that isn’t monitored across all clients can fail, resulting in vulnerabilities.
Security updates and patches: It is essential in today's climate that systems are fully patched, ensuring any vulnerabilities are mitigated as well as all software continues to work optimally. With a traditional manual approach, this is time consuming and difficult to manage. Not only are there compliance issues with ensuring users actually apply the updates, but then there is the danger that updates can fail and result in downtime.
The MSP will provide a patch deployment policy that is centrally managed and policed, ensuring compliance across all users with automatic patching where required. Prior to deployment, patches are evaluated in a safe sandboxed environment, ensuring that the patches are stable and will not cause any downtime.
Summary
Engaging a Managed Service Provider (MSP) offers substantial benefits in managing critical IT functions such as backups, licensing, and cybersecurity software. MSP’s ensure regular and reliable backups, safeguarding data integrity and availability in the event of a breach or loss. They handle complex software licensing, ensuring compliance and optimal usage to control costs and prevent legal issues.
Additionally, MSPs manage security and anti malware software, providing up-to-date protection against cyber threats through regular updates, scans, and real-time monitoring. By entrusting these vital tasks to an MSP, organisations can enhance their security posture, ensure operational efficiency, and focus on their core business activities with confidence.
Conformedia
Conformedia offers a flexible MSP offering with scalable solutions ensuring IT support can support business growth. Getting started is simple and the Tech as a Service plan allows you to enjoy technology, software and maintenance through a low cost monthly or quarterly subscription.
As an authorised JAMF MSP, Conformedia can also provide JAMF as part of the MSP offering, regardless of the size of the Mac team.
Partnering with Conformedia means your IT systems are secured compliant and proactively supported.
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