Managed IT services providers (MSPs) give small businesses the perks of having a dedicated IT department. You might think these benefits work only in an office setup, but partnering with an MSP also offers a big boost to the efficiency and success of your remote team.
How does a managed service provider benefit your remote workforce?
By partnering with an MSP, you can:
1. Augment cybersecurity
If your remote team members use their personal devices and internet connections to perform their tasks, you have little control over their online behavior, including which sites they visit and what they download after work. This could increase your risk of falling victim to cyberattacks. In fact, hacking has become increasingly prevalent since more companies began operating remotely in March 2020.
MSPs can help ease data security concerns by helping identify and access the most reliable cybersecurity solutions. For example, they can install firewalls and anti-malware software or get you started on a virtual private network (VPN), all of which protect your system from online threats. They can also help you identify measures, such as multifactor authentication and cloud-based backups, to fortify your defenses against data theft.
But even the most formidable tools can only do so much if your staff members don’t know what to do when faced with deceitful threats like phishing. An MSP can help by educating your employees on identifying and responding to cyberthreats. They can also assist you in creating response plans for when your team encounters threats.
2. Comply with industry regulations
Remote work can be especially tricky for organizations in highly regulated industries, such as the legal and finance sectors. One way an MSP can help is by setting up a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), a virtual environment that houses all the files, data, and tools your staff needs to do their job. Even if an employee’s computer is stolen or misplaced, unauthorized parties won’t have access to your company’s sensitive data if they don’t have the right user credentials.
Furthermore, with VDI, employees using their personal devices to do work is no longer a matter of great concern. Regardless of what they use, you can just implement any protective tools and software needed to secure your data and ensure compliance with industry requirements.
3. Receive much-needed support
If you and your staff are new to working remotely, then you’ll need expert assistance to prevent IT issues from hampering your productivity. MSPs have teams composed of technicians, engineers, and other specialists who can help you resolve any IT concerns. Having problems connecting to your home Wi-Fi or browsing the internet while linked to your VPN? Just contact your MSP anytime and their experts will guide you out of the issue.
4. Improve collaboration
Smooth collaboration is key to your remote work policy’s success, and MSPs can help you find the best tools for that. Depending on the nature of your business and its needs, an MSP can recommend everything from chat software like Slack to workflow tools like Trello.
An MSP can also help you get the most out of the tools you already have. If you’re using Office 365, for instance, your MSP can point out powerful features you may not know about, but which would boost your team’s ability to work with each other.
Remote work comes with a host of IT-related challenges, but you don’t have to face them alone. Working with an MSP like Tech Squared gives you a reliable partner who will help you take care of your tech concerns as you focus on ensuring your company’s survival and growth.
Discover how partnering with an MSP boosts more than just your business’s cybersecurity by downloading this free eBook today!
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