Outdated technology infrastructure can negatively affect a business in multiple ways. It can be difficult to stay competitive and keep up with industry trends if the technology used is no longer supported or has limited functionality. Additionally, businesses may struggle to attract and retain talent, as many professionals prefer to work with current technology. An outdated system can also lead to unexpected downtime due to malfunctioning hardware or software, resulting in lost revenue and customer dissatisfaction. For these reasons, it is important for organizations to have an IT strategy in place that ensures their technology infrastructure stays up-to-date and capable of meeting the needs of the business. Outdated technology can harm your business by:
- Giving cybercriminals a free pass
- Putting your company in hot water with regulators
- Reducing overall productivity
- Causing employee dissatisfaction
- Upsetting your customers
A managed service provider (MSP) can be a valuable asset for businesses looking to update their IT infrastructure. MSPs specialize in providing best-in-class technology solutions tailored to the individual needs of an organization. They can manage the entire process from start to finish, helping organizations identify and implement new software and hardware solutions, migrate data, provide ongoing maintenance, ensure data security, and more. By utilizing the expertise of an MSP, businesses can save time and money while proactively managing their technology needs with confidence.
Finding the right managed service provider (MSP) for your organization can be a challenge as there are many providers to choose from. It is important to take the time to research and evaluate each potential MSP partner’s offerings, customer reviews, track record, and overall expertise. Additionally, it is essential that you find an MSP with experience in your industry that understands the unique needs of your business and can offer tailored solutions to meet those needs. Ultimately, having the right MSP partner on board can help ensure success when it comes to refreshing IT infrastructure.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of seven of the most important questions you should ask an MSP when determining whether they are a good fit to meet your technology infrastructure and service needs.
Questions to ask
- Do you offer 24/7/365 support?
- Working with a managed service provider (MSP) that offers 24/7/365 monitoring and support is essential for organizations of all sizes to ensure their technology and data are secure. With the right MSP partner, businesses can benefit from round-the-clock monitoring and proactive maintenance services which help to minimize downtime, protect data, reduce costs associated with emergency fixes and provide peace of mind that their critical systems are safe. Additionally, an MSP can provide advice on cybersecurity best practices and help create a customized disaster recovery plan should an unexpected incident occur.
- Do you perform regular risk assessments?
- It is crucial for organizations to partner with managed service providers (MSPs) who regularly conduct security risk assessments to identify internal and external threats that may present a risk to their business. MSP risk assessment reports should provide an in-depth overview of current defense capabilities and give you the knowledge you need to make informed decisions on how best to protect your organization from cyberattacks and other malicious attacks. With the right MSP partner, businesses can benefit from ongoing evaluations of their IT environment, ensuring they always have access to up-to-date security protocols and procedures.
- Do you perform regular risk assessments?
- It is crucial for organizations to partner with managed service providers (MSPs) who regularly conduct security risk assessments to identify internal and external threats that may present a risk to their business. MSP risk assessment reports should provide an in-depth overview of current defense capabilities and give you the knowledge you need to make informed decisions on how best to protect your organization from cyberattacks and other malicious attacks. With the right MSP partner, businesses can benefit from ongoing evaluations of their IT environment, ensuring they always have access to up-to-date security protocols and procedures.
- Can you meet all of my compliance needs?
- Organizations that must comply with HIPAA standards can benefit from partnering with a managed service provider (MSP) who understands and complies with the standard. It is important to ensure that your MSP partner is capable of delivering on their promises by asking for proof of HIPAA compliance, such as an up-to-date audit report or security policy documentation. With the right MSP partner, businesses can have peace of mind knowing their IT environment is secure and always meeting the latest industry regulations.
- Can you provide documentation to prove you are compliant and follow best practices?
- For organizations looking for an MSP partner, it is important to ensure that they are adhering to relevant industry standards and best practices. Working with an MSP who does not follow these standards and has a track record of non-compliance can be detrimental to the safety and security of your organization. When selecting a managed service provider, make sure to do thorough research and evaluate their compliance history in order to make the most informed decision possible on how best to protect your business.
- Do you have a disaster recovery (DR) plan? If so, what is in place and is it tested regulary?
- When selecting an MSP, make sure they have a comprehensive disaster recovery plan in place. This plan should be regularly updated and tested to ensure its effectiveness in withstanding any potential incidents. Without a DR plan in place, your MSP partner may not be able to protect your business from disruption and you may suffer the consequences of their inaction. Be sure to confirm whether or not your MSP has a DR plan before making any kind of agreement.
- Is third-party auditing performed to meet cybersecurity and compliance requirements?
- When selecting an MSP, it is important to ensure that they have invested in third-party auditing services. This will demonstrate objectively that their information systems and processes are adhering to the highest standards in terms of security and compliance. Don’t overlook this aspect as it can be critical in ensuring the safety and security of your organization.
- Do you have high level of confidence in your security posture? If so, can you explain why?
- If your MSP partner has a poor security posture, it could leave your organization vulnerable to cyber-attacks. This is why it’s important to ensure that your MSP has invested in third-party auditing services, as this will help to guarantee the security and integrity of their information systems and processes. Additionally, make sure that their disaster recovery plan is comprehensive and up-to-date. These measures can mitigate the risk of security breaches and protect your business from disruption.
Why are the above questions crucial?
When selecting an MSP partner, it’s essential to understand their security protocols and compliance standards. This will ensure that your organization is adequately protected from evolving cyberthreats, in addition to ensuring you’re fulfilling any applicable regulations. Additionally, having data backups available can provide peace of mind in the event of a disaster. Furthermore, be sure to ask about their technical support services and whether they have a reliable incident response plan in place.
Get in touch with us today to schedule a free consultation and determine if we are the right partner for your business
