Choosing the Best Cybersecurity Team for Your SME
Information Technology is an ever-changing industry, and for business owners to maintain an in-house IT security team would be incredibly expensive. Not only would it be expensive to pay for IT engineer salaries and training, but the cybersecurity issues could become a daunting, time-consuming experience for the business owner. The solution that will greatly benefit all small to midsize business owners is to outsource the IT solutions to a contractor or consultancy firm. Research is imperative when selecting an IT security team because the unique technology needs for any business must be considered. For instance, not every business utilizes cloud computing or collects sensitive consumer data, so this isn’t something every business needs to pay for. Some may simply require assistance in setting up a secure website that keeps clients protected.
Security solutions have come a long way
IT security solutions have come a long way since the beginning of what is currently known as cybersecurity in the 1970s. From the honey pot method which was described in The Cuckoo’s Egg by Clifford Stoll to data encryption and digital signatures, cybersecurity advances quicker than subject matter experts can follow. This is a prime reason for hiring IT consultancy firms to take the reins of the business’s security needs.
Current IT security services range from hardware and software support, consultancy, cloud computing, relocation plans and services, as well as infrastructure set up and support. It is important to find a reliable IT security team that’s experienced, highly capable, and places expertly trained IT engineers on projects for their clients. This can be accomplished by any SME if they are willing to take the time to get to know IT security contractors.
Research and understand how cybersecurity works
The internet provides the opportunity for a business of any size to reach a target audience on an enormous scale. Despite the expansive reach, some businesses may simply need basic support, such as solely maintaining a website. Others may need more intricate support. No matter what the needs are of a business, IT support should be included in the long-term plans. Not only will this put the business in a competitive vantage point, but it will increase confidence and assurance on the behalf of the SME.
Identifying IT security teams should be a very thorough and rigorous process in order to have a pool of the top candidates. Before RFPs are sent out, understanding the needs of any small to midsize business is a crucial first step.
Asking the right questions gets the ball rolling on the right path
Business owners should always start with themselves when beginning the inquisition stages. What are the needs of my company? Are we complying with government regulations? Is our network at risk of outside attack? Is the staff trained and granted access to data only when necessary? These are just a few of the questions to inquire about so you can come to the proposal table with a solid understanding of the business needs.
Through the RFP process, the ball is in the business owners’ court when it comes to identifying the best IT security team. However, there is also a chance that they will make a poor decision. The best way to filter out the best in the security field is to ask the right questions. The best IT security contractors are experienced. They’ve been through a number of issues including hardware, software, malware, security breaches, cloud-based issues, network-based issues, and with varying degrees of successes and failures. What needs to be addressed is how the team worked through those failures and how they remedied those situations for future clients.
High up-front costs reap long-term benefits
Paying for an IT service before you rely on them may seem unnecessary. However, through a thorough investigation of the complete business and technology needs, the security firm may identify potential threats, making it worth every penny.
Estimates have predicted the global spend on cybersecurity will reach the $1 trillion mark by 2021. With this growing need for cybersecurity across the globe, it becomes clear that every business owner needs to keep the information technology needs of their company top of mind. Working with IT security teams can be considered as a way to insure the welfare and positive trajectory of revenue.
Hiring the cheapest IT security group may cost more down the road
Hiring the cheapest group to assist with information security may turn around to cost you more than hiring a more expensive company right from the start. Why? Cheaper rates may be equivalent to less experience, little to no training, or little skill in identifying areas of improvement in the IT scope of a business.
Additionally, lower rates could also hint at an IT security team that practices outdated methods. Outdated methods leave too much opportunity for would-be attackers. Or perhaps the team is not up-to-speed on the latest laws and regulations. If a regulation is not followed, hefty fines or fees may be assessed as a result. This leads to a spend limit that was not anticipated and could prove to be quite a costly mistake. Looking back, hiring an educated, highly trained team with vast experiences would be worth the additional costs.
Regulations evolve in reaction to cyber attack advances
IT security firms must understand and stay current on all federal regulations. Because regulations often adapt as a reaction to large-scale cyber attacks, it is important to know whether the IT security firm can move quickly enough and become educated in a timely manner. A top contractor will know how to react to a cyber attack with efficiency and precisely.
It is also important to consider an IT security firm is not just proactive in preventing cyber attacks but must also be quick and efficient to react. Both skills are important for a healthy and robust information technology plan for any small or midsize business.
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