Approximately 60% of small- and medium-sized businesses that are subject to a cyberattack go out of business within six months, according to the U.S. National Cyber Security Alliance. Multiple studies show cybersecurity attacks are increasingly targeting small businesses as criminals recognize the ease of which they can often infiltrate businesses.
Along with this rise is an industry-wide shortage of IT security expertise, leaving many small- and mid-sized businesses crippled and vulnerable. As you work to understand how to navigate your IT security with these challenges, consider outsourcing your IT.
Outsourcing allows small and large businesses to leverage economies of scale for their IT needs. A recent study from Computer Economics found that security was the fastest growing IT role being outsourced. It’s little surprise, as more companies recognize they can’t insource the right skills to address these varied and complex threats and keep their company safe. That makes security a priority for outsourcing.
By choosing to leverage external resources, these companies can refocus on their core competencies and offload the external pressures created by an ever-changing IT threat landscape, increasing complexities presented by technology and the scarcity of IT employees who can navigate these challenges at a fair price.
There are several benefits to outsourcing IT, especially when it comes to improving your security. Here are our top 5:
- Expert IT security you can afford
Comprehensive IT security management calls for expertise in diverse skill areas, typically requiring multiple specialists. At the same time, there is a market-wide shortage of these skills. Hiring and retaining workers with the requisite skills to protect your company is expensive and uncertain. In contrast, you can access a team of such experts by outsourcing and pay flat fees with relative certainty that your IT team is going to be there, protecting you around the clock.
- Focus on your core business
Outsourcing your IT even partially can free up critical resources to focus on the core of your business. Your existing IT team can manage infrastructure and all those “keeping the lights on” tasks or turn their attention to strategic initiatives to make your business more effective and competitive. For example, outsourcing your IT security allows your staff technicians to focus on high-impact projects that lead to the success and growth of your business.
- Informed policy guidance
The IT threat landscape is always changing, and companies that don’t have a full, expert grasp of the extent of these security risks can’t adequately address them. Creating effective security policies takes in-depth experience that most IT generalists don’t possess. For instance, the IT staff in your company may not be able to accurately assess the effectiveness of your existing security policies or how well your company is keeping up with compliance requirements you’re required to follow.
- Unbiased checks and balances
Your IT security is best outsourced because it ensures some necessary degrees of separation between your company and your security checks and balances. Processes like security assessments and recommendations can become sensitive territory when managed internally. Outsourcing puts it in the hands of neutral parties who are fully vested in protecting your organization and can offer verification of that protection.
- Comprehensive security coverage
Most companies focus on infrastructure security measures, like firewalls, antivirus and spam-filtering but fail to address internal threats or physical security risks like inappropriate data access or removal and employee security lapses. These actually represent a large risk to organizations. Employees removing confidential information on a USB key or a busy manager clicking on a phishing link can all have catastrophic results (Make sure you download our new tip sheet to avoid these common risks).
The nuances of these internal threats rely on trained security professionals. it’s not something you can have a regular IT person scout for with enough success to detect all the vulnerabilities.
Outsourcing your IT to a managed IT company with specific security expertise addresses security from all angles, covering your bases and providing safeguards and protections your internal IT staff often don’t have the experience, training and skills to implement and oversee. Given that 60% of small businesses suffering a serious cybersecurity incident go out of business within 6 months, outsourcing your IT security could be one of the most important decisions you make as a business owner.
Who is guarding your business? Contact us today to find out or call us at 218-534-5357.