IT Security and Your COO

security - IT managed servicesWhat Your IT Department Needs to Know About IT Security

Professional managers of corporate information technology (IT) are responsible for being experts in their fields, leading their organizations forward especially in the areas of staff productivity and information/data security.  Increasingly, these experts are recognizing the need to lean on outside experts to achieve their departmental and corporate goals.

“I don’t know what I don’t know.”   Some of the smartest managers of IT express that regularly.  It may not sound astute, but it is.  It acknowledges knowing a decent amount about a subject, but that there are knowledge gaps.  They recognize their limitations and know that they cannot keep up with everything.  So they engage in a practice called co‑managed IT.  Filling in information deficits, especially as it relates to IT security, may be the reason some organizations embrace this idea.

With Constant News of Security and Data Breaches and the Ever-Increasing Risks, Many Organizations Are Exploring Co-Managed IT Services

With constant news of security and data breaches and the ever-increasing risks, many organizations are exploring co-managed IT services, with a focus on cybersecurity.  Our reliance on technology, the advent of cloud services, the work-from-home (or anywhere) movement and cybercriminals’ increased access to any network from anywhere has caused this shift to more comanaged IT environments.  Even a small data leak can result in enormous hazards to a small business.  With so many users leveraging cloud file sharing solutions such as OneDrive, Dropbox and Google Drive, the likelihood of exposing sensitive information is increased, especially as the bad guys use ever more unique social engineering tactics to penetrate an organization and/or its network.

Ensure Hardware and Software is Up to Date

An outside resource focused on security will ensure that all your hardware and software is up to date with all necessary firmware updates and security patches.  They will regularly monitor and audit all your systems ensuring that security and compliance standards are enforced.  They will ensure your wireless network does not provide an open door to your core network.  And they will provide endpoint security software solutions that are required by your business and expected by your clients.

IT Security is a 24/7/365 Essential

Today, even more is expected and needed!  A trusted IT resource will implement a 24/7/365 plan for threat detection and response.  This is needed as cybercriminals do not just work 9 to 5, M-F.  Recently, we have seen some major attacks occurring during 3-day federal holiday weekends.  The vigilance of outside expertise cannot be undervalued.

Security Requirements Are Constantly Changing

Additionally, security needs can change rapidly due to new threats or even the demands of a new client. Each may require a new or modified security solution.  Managing security in-house requires significant ability to resource, plan and implement new methods very quickly.  It can be difficult.  An outside resource with ongoing experience in implementing security advancements—that change constantly—can provide the best recommendations and implement them far faster than in-house staff.

Co-Managed IT is Ready and Able

Beyond security, there is the need for outside resources when staff is too small or too busy and unable to take on a project of magnitude such as a cloud migration or an across-the-enterprise hardware/software upgrade.  Advantages include:  improved budget management, potentially lower labor costs as the need for an expansive internal IT staff is reduced, leveraging the experience of numerous outside IT experts, speedier exposure to and implementation of modern technol­ogy, faster ability to recover from a disaster, and lower IT risks across the board.

Stay tuned next month as we wrap up this security series and learn how to stop employees from leaking your corporate data.

As always, the IT Radix team is here to assist in adding layers of security to protect you and your business. Contact us today!