Business IT isn’t getting any easier, at least certainly not when it comes to choosing and implementing the best solutions for your company. That’s why most small- and medium-sized businesses choose to partner with an IT support provider to get the proactive security and strategic planning they need to get the most out of technology.
On paper, most managed services providers (MSPs) look much the same. Nonetheless, the market is becoming increasingly competitive, and not all MSPs are equal. If your current IT provider isn’t up to scratch, then your data could be at risk as well. That’s why it’s so important to regularly evaluate your current partnership to ensure you’re getting the best service. Here are some key signs to look out for:
#1. Data Is Unrecoverable After an Incident
Unless they can give you a rock-solid explanation, unexpected data loss on your IT service provider’s end is normally the kiss of death for any contract. If you’re using an outsourced disaster recovery solution, then you need to be sure that you can rely on it if things go wrong, and that the recovery process lives up to the expectations laid out in your service level agreements.
#2. There’s No Multifactor Authentication
Any MSP should have a robust password-management system in place to prevent unauthorized access. After all, migrating your computing operations to the cloud means placing a great deal of trust in a third party to look after your data. That’s why every MSP worth its salt should use multi-factor authentication for providing access to cloud-based resources. Using email, mobile apps or biometrics will provide an additional layer of security to verify the identity of the user logging in.
#3. They Don’t Run Regular Risk Assessments
One of the main motivations for working with an MSP is to improve IT security, and that’s why your vendor should run regular risk assessments and network audits. MSPs should be able to identify both internal and external vulnerabilities that could compromise your network security. If your provider is unable to keep a complete auditing log of your systems and run regular assessments, then your business could be vulnerable.
#4. They Can’t Tell You Where Your Data Is
Your MSP has the enormous responsibility of taking care of your confidential business data as per the requirements of any compliance regulations pertaining to your company. That also means they should be able to tell you where your data is kept, including any redundant copies, and which measures are in place to safeguard it from outsiders. In other words, if your MSP is not entirely transparent about its data storage and cybersecurity practices, then chances are your data is being put at risk.
#5. Every Communication Sounds Like a Sales Call
A dependable MSP isn’t just a vendor. It’s a reliable business partner you should be able to rely on for IT support and strategic advice. With that in mind, if all communications between you and your MSP are starting to sound like sales calls, then they’re probably not as concerned with your long-term goals as they should be.
Making the switch to an MSP will inevitably mean giving up some of the applications and systems you’re used to, but it shouldn’t mean abandoning all legacy software that’s still working reliably. An MSP should instead be concerned with long-term strategic planning tailored to the precise needs and existing conditions of your organization.
Keeping up with the fast-changing world of business technology is never easy, but it’s crucial if you want to keep your competitive edge. That’s why Qoverage is here to help by developing customized IT solutions tailored to the unique needs of your organization. Speak with one of our experts today if you’re ready to move ahead with an MSP you can depend on.