Managed IT services provide a tailored solution to your unique technology challenges. By outsourcing IT tasks to experts, you can focus on your core operations while ensuring your technology infrastructure runs smoothly.
There are many benefits to managed IT services, but perhaps the most vital is in reducing risks. Would your business survive a cyber attack? Or would it be crippled by data loss and downtime? One of the most significant benefits of managed IT services is the ability to provide real-time threat detection and response, safeguarding businesses from cyberattacks. Let’s dive further into this benefit and others.
What are Managed IT Services?
Managed IT services involve outsourcing your IT management and support to a trusted provider like BCS. Instead of hiring and managing an in-house IT team, you gain access to a team of experienced professionals who handle everything from network security to cloud computing.
Managed IT services are experiencing a surge in popularity due to the escalating IT and cybersecurity landscape. As businesses grapple with increasingly sophisticated cyber threats and complex technological demands, the need for specialised IT expertise has become even more important. Today, the top cybersecurity investment is upskilling cybersecurity and IT staff, with 46% of companies reporting this[1]. However, maintaining a highly skilled IT workforce is costly and time-consuming, making it increasingly less viable for businesses.
At the same time, almost a third of executives say their main cybersecurity challenge is improper identification of key risks[2]. In other words, many businesses are struggling to pinpoint the most vulnerable areas of their IT infrastructure and prioritise their security efforts accordingly.
Here are just some the areas why IT-managed services offer advantages over in-house IT management:
- Network management: Poorly managed networks are costly to run and vulnerable to attacks. Managed IT services can enhance network security and efficiency through practices like network segmentation and least privilege access, freeing up your internal IT staff to focus on strategic initiatives.
- Cybersecurity: Cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated every day. In-house teams may struggle to keep up with the latest threats and implement effective security measures. IT service providers regularly read the latest cybersecurity reports and stay informed about emerging threats and best practices to keep your systems safe 24/7.
- Data backup and disaster recovery: Managed IT services can implement robust data backup and disaster recovery plans, ensuring your data is protected and recoverable in the event of a system failure, cyberattack, or natural disaster.
- Cloud computing: Managed service providers can assist with cloud migration, optimisation, and management, helping you leverage the benefits of cloud-based solutions while ensuring your data is secure and accessible.
Why Choose Managed IT Services?
Now let’s look at the many benefits of managed IT services in more detail.
Business Cost Savings
Managed IT services can significantly reduce your business’s IT costs by eliminating the need for in-house IT employees and costly investments. Instead of incurring high salaries, benefits, and training expenses for IT staff, you can opt for a predictable monthly fee. This provides greater budget certainty, allowing you to allocate resources more effectively.
Enhanced Cyber Security Measures
Advanced security measures like firewalls, antivirus software, and intrusion detection systems can protect against cyber threats and data breaches. These measures also ensure compliance with regulatory standards, reduce downtime, improve customer trust, and critically, reduce financial losses. The cost of a cyber-attack can be extreme – In 2024 it was an eye-watering 4.88M , a 10% increase over last year and the highest total ever[3].
Real-time Threat Detection and Response
Providers leverage advanced technologies to provide real-time monitoring and rapid response to security threats. Key managed IT systems here include intrusion detection systems (IDS), security information and event management (SIEM), and advanced threat detection techniques like machine learning algorithms and behavioural analytics. These technologies enable proactive identification and mitigation of potential security incidents, ensuring that vulnerabilities are addressed before they can be exploited.
Proactive Monitoring and Maintenance
Regularly monitoring the health of your IT systems, including servers, network infrastructure, and Wi-Fi, using automated tools is essential for maintaining optimal performance and security. This approach prevents problems before they arise, reducing downtime and boosting system reliability. For example, by detecting a failing hard drive early, you can replace it before it causes system crashes, thereby maintaining productivity and keeping operations running smoothly.
Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
A well-crafted disaster recovery plan is essential for ensuring business continuity in the face of unexpected events, like cyberattacks, natural disasters, or hardware failures. When you consider that the average downtime after a ransomware attack in the US is nearly three weeks, it becomes obvious why.
Alarmingly, for over 90% of medium to large enterprises, downtime costs exceed $300,000 an hour[4]. By having a robust disaster recovery plan in place, you can minimise potential losses, ensure a quick recovery, and build a resilient business that can withstand unexpected challenges and maintain operations.
Elevate Your Business with Managed IT Systems
By entrusting your technology needs to experts, you can enhance security, reduce costs, ensure continuity, and unlock your business’s full potential.
Are you ready to take the next step and position your business for success? Partner with BCS to leverage the benefits of managed IT services and achieve your goals.
[1] https://www.terranovasecurity.com/blog/cyber-security-statistics
[2] https://www.terranovasecurity.com/blog/cyber-security-statistics
[3] https://www.ibm.com/reports/data-breach
[4] https://invenioit.com/continuity/disaster-recovery-statistics/