Almost 20% of US businesses fail within the first two years. With the right strategies in place, though, you can avoid this.
One of the most important responsibilities entrepreneurs have is implementing network monitoring services. Otherwise, they run the risk of experiencing network downtime, data breaches, and similar issues.
Let’s take a look at the importance of outsourced IT support which provides 24/7 network monitoring for your company.
Insight Into Network Activity
As you might guess, 24/7 monitoring can provide you with insight into your network activity. This is an invaluable resource, as it helps you quickly identify potential issues and address them promptly.
As a result, businesses can reduce the amount of time customers experience outages or technical difficulties due to poor network performance.
Greater Visibility
In any city, but especially in one as sprawling as Los Angeles, a managed IT services Los Angeles based company can provide you with greater visibility. This includes noticing if any malicious activity is occurring on the network and taking steps to prevent it from affecting your business.
It also allows them to identify opportunities for optimization, so you can avoid wasting time and money in unnecessary areas.
Reduced Risk
With frequent scans and regular patching, you can help ensure that any potential vulnerabilities are addressed quickly before they become a problem.
This also ensures compliance with industry standards, protecting you from costly penalties or lawsuits. For example, consider the consequences of the 2017 Equifax data breach.
Not only was the company ordered to pay out millions to those affected, but it also irreparably damaged the reputation of the business.
Improved Reliability
This functionality helps to provide reliable service by continually improving your environment. This includes identifying and correcting issues before they become major problems, as well as maintaining system uptime goals.
As a result, you can rest assured that your network is running optimally at all times. This will directly translate into increased business performance, which also means improved revenue.
Enhanced Efficiency
Outsourced tech support companies improve overall efficiency by cutting down on the amount of time your team spends on manual tasks. Automated processes can also help reduce potential human errors, thereby increasing operational accuracy.
It’s also worth noting that using automation allows you to detect threats much faster than you would otherwise be able to.
What Are the Most Common Threats My Company Faces?
Understanding the threats to your business will go a long way when it comes to helping you protect yourself.
Listed below are some of the most notable.
Let’s dive in.
Phishing Attacks
Phishing is a type of cyber attack where malicious actors send emails and other communications posing as legitimate companies. These messages contain links that can install malware on the recipient’s system.
In some cases, phishing attacks could appear to be from an entirely legitimate source. This makes them difficult to discern under certain circumstances.
Malware
Malware refers to software specifically developed for malicious purposes, such as data theft or destruction. Common examples include spyware and Trojans.
The good news is that having the right protections in place can allow you to prevent a malware attack.
Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks
These attacks are designed to overload a server, denying users legitimate access to the system or causing it to crash completely. Smaller companies may not have the resources to overcome them.
However, even larger businesses could fall victim to a DDoS attack.
Social Engineering
Social engineering is a tactic used by cybercriminals where they try and gain access to sensitive information by exploiting people’s trust.
This could involve sending messages from fake emails or making phone calls pretending to be an employee of the company. Although this is similar to a phishing attack, it is not identical.
Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malware that locks down the affected system and demands a ransom in exchange for unlocking it.
In the event that you don’t satisfy the requirements of the hacker, they will often delete all of your data. They could also leave it encrypted indefinitely. In extreme cases, though, they might leak your data to the public or sell it to a competitor.
This could be a situation that is difficult or even impossible to recover from.
How Do I Find the Right Professional For Me?
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that not all professionals deliver the same results. For this reason, you need to research the options available to you. It’s essential that you take a look at their past reputation.
The feedback past customers have left is a great resource. Look for a local IT support company that goes out of its way to resolve issues. However, you should also consider their industry experience.
You should never work with a business that cannot prove its worth. The good news is that reputable companies often offer free consultations.
The business you choose should have plenty of experience working with people like you. If they can’t create an actionable plan for your goals, you should continue your search.
What does their billing structure look like?
With this in mind, you can avoid unnecessary costs. If you are uncomfortable communicating with them, it’s best to walk away. The right company for you is one that you have no problem contacting.
Network Monitoring Doesn’t Have to Be Overwhelming
Initially, network monitoring may seem daunting. The good news is that the guide above has everything you need to know to make the process simple.
Looking for more information about Los Angeles IT services and what Be Structured Technology Group can do? Reach out to us today to see how we can help.
