The pandemic has changed how many businesses operate, as they’ve needed assistance with IT experts to go more digital. Due to social distancing demands, it makes sense for companies to allow employees to work from home on their computers. Here are five critical services that a Managed Services Provider (MSP) offers to help businesses during Covid-19 shutdowns.
1. Set Up Digital Infrastructure
The increased demand for IT services in San Diego and the rest of Southern California to modernize a company’s infrastructure has led to affordable cloud-based services. Using a private cloud is often the best solution for businesses, especially those that must protect confidential information.
IT firms worldwide have been helping healthcare organizations use more digital communications with patients to facilitate telemedicine, which has become a solution to avoid hospital bed shortages. Medical professionals are now increasingly scheduling virtual medical appointments with patients rather than traditional in-person sessions. An IT firm shares knowledge and suggests solutions. Technicians configure systems then provide support when needed.
2. Recommend Cloud Services and New Technology
An IT service can help a business grow by recommending cloud services for their industry. Advanced IT firms have the resources and talent to offer custom solutions. An experienced IT firm has tested many cloud applications and can suggest solutions that improve business efficiency and productivity, such as automation software. An IT consultant can further enhance a business by keeping personnel informed on new technology relevant to their industry. It’s beneficial to keep up with the latest cybersecurity strategies.
3. Test System for Vulnerabilities
Another popular IT service involves auditing an entire infrastructure to detect vulnerable hardware or software that should be updated. IT technicians test various files and applications to make sure they aren’t damaged and operate smoothly. It’s a good idea to test digital assets periodically to ensure they can be accessed easily. An infrastructure audit can spot small problems before they turn into significant expenses.
4. Establish Cybersecurity Policies and Strategies
Many businesses are turning to IT experts to develop sophisticated layers of data protection. Not only can an IT consultant train a team to spot suspicious emails, but he or she can also suggest multiple cybersecurity layers to protect the company’s business network. Some of these solutions include installing hardware and software firewalls, using virtualization, and encrypting files. The IT team can also implement 24/7 monitoring software to detect and block hackers on a business network.
One of the most important proactive steps every business should take is to establish cybersecurity policies for their network. The IT firm can help set and enforce these policies, which may involve segmenting the network so that only individual employees can access certain websites and applications. Security policies are needed when setting up a Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) workplace.
5. Backup and Disaster Recovery Plan
One of the most important ways an IT service can protect a business is establishing a backup and disaster recovery plan. This plan outlines the steps the IT firm and the client will take in a disaster that can lead to downtime.
The best backup plan is to use offsite backup servers that carry all the new data from the central server. The IT service can routinely back up and test files to ensure the client can always switch to a backup server with current data. Testing the disaster recovery plan periodically makes a business well prepared for an emergency.
