How to find the best managed security services option for your small business.
In the previous 2 emails, we talked about how your can be secure, as a business, and why it’s important.
Now let’s talk about where you can find the help you need.
Do you hire internally or outsource?
If you hire, where can you find a great candidate to help you meet your security standards?
If you choose to outsource, how and what should you consider before hiring an IT firm to help?
What to consider if you hire.
- Find a candidate that’s worked in your industry before. Experience in your specific field is super important. If the person who’s supposed to keep your data secure knows nothing about the importance protecting your technology assets, then how can they understand the importance of keeping your information secure?
- Find someone who understands the compliance and regulatory concerns of your industry.
- Find a candidate that can speak English. Technicians that talk tech-talk, and confuse you and your staff, aren’t helpful. Find a candidate that can easily communicate with you.
- Search for someone who’s fluent with multiple systems. In your office there are many moving technology pieces from e-mail to VoIP, to your equipment software. This person, whom you hire, should be able to work between multiple systems to ensure your data is safe and secure.
What to consider if you outsource.
As we discussed in the previous 2 emails, outsourcing is a great and cost effective option to keep your business compliant.
But how do you find the good ones?
Here are some things to consider.
- Time and action is key. Work with an outsourced IT firm that has quick response. When in a pinch, you need to have a provider that responds within an hour. Guaranteed. Your goal should be to get a hold of an actual human being, or be able to enter a service ticket yourself online with a streamlined service ticket system. Find an outsourced firm that responds fast.
- Find a firm that’s experienced. Just like we touched on earlier, with experience being important when hiring an IT person, experience when hiring an outsourced firm is also paramount. You should seek an IT company that hires only seasoned, professional technicians with at least 5-10 years’ experience.
- Find someone you don’t have to micromanage. Being proactive is one of the best ways you’ll find security-success. If your outsourced IT business isn’t proactive, maybe even a bit annoying because of how proactive they are, then don’t consider them. Find a company whose philosophy is proactive, not reactive, by using state-of- the-art network monitoring and management. Running your business should be your endgame, so let someone else proactively identify issues and address them before they become problems.
- Project management that actually manages projects and gets things done. Your outsourced IT firm should not only be proactive, but also be able to manage all the little tasks of your projects. You need to look for someone with extensive experience in managing all types of complex projects, handling the detail and coordinate all vendors involved. Not to mention, one who manages budgets as well as tasks and overall projects.
- No geek-speak. You need to have your concerns and questions answered in plain English. When considering outsourcing your manage security, make sure their technicians will clearly explain what is happening so you understand.
Solve your managed security issues.
For some free guidance on how to solve your most basic of managed security issues, download our free e-book here.
With this guide you’ll get help to guide you on your journey to security-success.
Get it here and talk soon.
