9 Benefits of Managed IT Services

One of the most important investments your company can make is the security, functionality and effectiveness of its technology. An internal team can support your company. However, outsourcing often brings more long-term benefits. A managed IT service provider who takes the time to understand your business goals and work with you can be incredibly valuable, even beyond the 9 benefits of managed IT services below.

1. High return on investment

For the same cost as a small in-house team, a managed IT service provider (MSP) offers many more resources that will benefit your business. An MSP offers a much larger team of IT professionals, as well as access to the latest technology solutions to strengthen your business. They often protect your business more effectively against cyber threats. MSPs offer far more resources and therefore a higher value than conventional in-house IT equipment at the same price.

2. Efficiency

By outsourcing your IT management, your business can focus on its core offering. The time spent training new IT staff is transferred to the MSP. The MSP also ensures that your business complies with your industry standards and regulations, saving you time and resources again. In addition, outsourcing to an MSP ensures that its technology is properly maintained, reducing downtime and increasing staff uptime.

3. Increased productivity.

You may have employees with IT experience who have been in charge of developing programs or training employees. However, it is easy for them to be distracted by various requests from employees, eg. B. Asking for help with login issues, leading to lost productivity.

Outsourcing to a managed IT services company provides your employees with a special hotline that they can use to solve IT problems. This allows your IT staff to focus on the tasks for which they were hired.

4. Avoid security breaches

Cybercrime is constantly evolving, but you can keep your business as safe as possible by outsourcing your cybersecurity to a specialist who is up to date on the latest safeguards. Your advisor will also help your employees identify and avoid the latest threats, further reducing the risk of a security breach. Although cybersecurity is technically outside of typical MSP offerings, most add cybersecurity offerings to their services.

(Learn the top questions to ask a cybersecurity consultant.)

5. Unlimited experience

Employees of a managed IT service provider likely have experience and knowledge of various industries. Employees also frequently continue their training and receive new certifications while working at an MSP, thereby offering a growing experience. Since your company is outsourced to an MSP, the MSP bears the costs of training and higher education, in contrast to an internal team (where costs would remain internal).

6. Cloud-based services

Fear of a security breach is a major hurdle for most companies considering moving to cloud-based platforms. However, cloud-based access is essential for users who need to access websites and accounts from their mobile devices. Through the cloud, your employees can also work remotely while traveling and access your network. An MSP can not only help you to safely switch to a cloud-based platform, but also manage maintenance in the future.

7. Better management of uptime.

All IT systems need to be updated regularly to increase efficiency and avoid downtime. To maximize uptime during the regular business day, system updates should generally be done in hours. With an in-house team, this can often lead to overtime costs.

By outsourcing information technology, a team of qualified professionals updates remotely when it is least disruptive to their employees. Availability is maintained or even increased without incurring additional overtime costs.

8. Use your company against the competition

By outsourcing your IT, you can focus on other aspects of your business to gain a competitive advantage and increase your value proposition.

Also, cyber security is often a key concern for your company's potential customers. A secure company that you can trust with your sensitive data is certainly more attractive than an unreliable one. Often, MSPs extend their services to cybersecurity and can use the latest cybersecurity technology to defend you and your clients.

9. Reinvest in your company

Budget constraints often limit opportunities that could help expand your business. By outsourcing to an MSP, you can reallocate any excess funds previously spent to an internal IT department to drive your business development.

Are you ready to choose a managed IT company?

Switching to a managed IT service provider can be an extremely cost-effective and efficient solution to problems that occur with typical internal IT teams. With increasing daily knowledge, MSPs provide companies with technology solutions that allow them to focus on achieving their business goals rather than worrying about their IT.

Network Deployment

Network infrastructure change programs should always be associated with an improvement in users' perception of the quality of the service received. Before starting such a project, there are technical and commercial bid phases and evaluations that must be approved.

Once this is accomplished, the main phases are:

• Commitment.
• Operation and administration.
• The breakdown or transition of the network to a new project.

In the Network Deployment Services, operations are performed in which devices are started / installed. The end result is the contracted service. In this phase of the project there are:

1. The agreed service periods and delivery times must be respected.

2. Tools that simplify predictable bulk configuration tasks must be available.

3. A team of specialists must supervise the installation of the devices in a previously agreed location.

4. Validation of the entire start-up process so that the project location can go to the operational phase.

While this list contains the obvious, it makes the network implementation phase one of the most intense and troublesome parts of a new scheme. This implies the not insignificant additional costs for the commissioning of external services.

In general, the service provider or freight forwarder offers its clients an all-inclusive package with the best possible service / price ratio. They are expected to select device manufacturers that not only meet the technology and economics side, but also help keep network deployment costs low.

One of the most important components for network provisioning is a zero-touch installation service for participating devices. This means that starting the service on the site must include:

• Customers should receive a device with basic on-site connection instructions (similar to automatic installation of home services like ADSL / FTTH). The customer can simply connect and turn on their device according to the basic instructions.
• The automatic configuration process begins: the device downloads its individual configurations from a control center and then activates them to provide the contractually agreed service.
• The status and availability of these services are determined from the central office (validation of the entire process).

The availability of automatic configuration during deployment and the use of pre-validated templates reduce installation costs by optimizing lead times and minimizing configuration error rates.

In this phase, there are not only advantages: maintenance procedures are significantly optimized, but an office with a device that is out of service only has to send a new router to start the business again. The rest of the configuration, the restoration of saved data, etc., is carried out almost automatically through administration tools. This facility optimizes SLAs and punishment.

In summary, automatic configuration throughout the network deployment becomes a very relevant aspect and should always be included in the commercial offer of the manufacturers. Not only because this represents a great improvement in their products, but also because they can offer tools through their sales network to reduce overall project costs and improve the perception of service quality for their clients.

Understands this concept and integrates its software tool, the NetManager Colibrí, to manage networks. In addition to other standardized tools and together with its WLAN and access routers, this offers optimal solutions for schemes where your clients need them.

5 Best Practices for Outsourcing Cyber Security & Compliance Services

 Cybersecurity Outsourcing Report 

Cybervisors (cybersecurity advisers) from Lazarus Alliance, Inc. provide information security chiefs (CISOs) and IT security teams with information and advice on how to address the cybersecurity skills gap.

How to find a trusted GRC partner

Outsourcing Cybersecurity Operations is a great way to save money and time and close the very serious and growing gap in computer security skills. However, it is also a very serious decision. Your cyber security provider has access to your entire network and all your confidential data. How can you ensure that you trust your business to a provider that is not only legitimate but also suitable for your organization and data environment? Below are five best practices to follow when outsourcing your IT security and IT compliance.

If something seems "out" of a company, it is likely

At a minimum, avoid providers who do the following:

• You cannot provide an address and phone number.
• They do not have corporate email addresses and instead communicate with addresses from Gmail, Yahoo, etc.
• Do you have websites that look very "amateur" in design and / or contain broken English text.

These are instant red flags indicating that you are dealing with a hobbyist, or possibly night surgery.

Get referrals

Even if a provider seems absolutely legitimate and professional, always ask for references and call them. Professional cyber security companies are happy to provide verifiable references. You should also Google the name of the company and its customers and look for comments, or complaints.

Make sure the provider can meet all of your compliance requirements

GRC's ongoing assessment and evaluation services include HIPAA and HITECH, PCI DSS QSA, SSAE 16 and SOC, FedRAMP, FISMA, NIST, CJIS, ISO, NERC CIP, SOX, ISO Certifications and EU-US Privacy Shield reports. We are the only company based in Arizona that offers this depth of coverage.

However, many GRC companies, including some very large ones, meet certain IT compliance requirements, but not others. Make sure that your provider not only offers all of the compliance services you need, but also has experience performing these specific audits. Ask about your specific compliance requirements while reviewing supplier references.

Ask the provider about their audit and compliance processes.

Believe it or not, some IT auditors still use Excel or other spreadsheet programs for reporting and IT compliance audits, although spreadsheet programs were never used with the large amounts of data found in today's complex data environments. They were created. A GRC provider who is still messing around with spreadsheets will end up costing you a lot of time, money, and headaches.

Make sure your provider uses modern RegTech software to perform compliance reports and audits, such as: B. Continuum GRC's proprietary IT Audit Machine (ITAM). ITAM leverages big data and rapid reporting capabilities to automate reporting and data management. Instead of dozens of different spreadsheets and general ledgers, ITAM creates a central repository of all IT compliance requirements with associated controls and automated information flows for audits, evaluations and tests. This saves you time, money, and stress and gives you a complete picture of your data environment, as well as its risks and weaknesses.

Get everything in writing

Finally, make sure the provider signs a written contract that details what is expected of them and is willing to guarantee any promises you make.

By following these best practices, companies can reap the benefits of outsourcing, minimize risk, and build fruitful long-term relationships with trusted cyber security providers.

Seven Steps in Deploying SD-WAN Architecture

Network architecture is now seen as the hub of digital transformation. Implementing the SD-WAN architecture can lead to cost savings, performance benefits, and easy administration.

Most companies are experiencing massive changes in the technology and processes they use.

This is because most companies have traditionally used manual and analog processes. Technologies such as cloud and edge computing, mobility, artificial intelligence and devices that are capable of the Internet of Things have disrupted these long-standing processes.

The digital transformation captures the massive changes that companies are experiencing in the digitization and automation of processes. Digital transformation integrates technology to solve traditional business problems with automation, digitized processes, and artificial intelligence. Digital transformation can optimize the way companies work, while creating competitive advantage and business differentiation.

According to Gartner Research, one of the first steps towards this automation is virtualization of IT infrastructure, especially with network virtualization, about the role of network virtualization in digital transformation. For most corporate IT departments, the WAN (Wide Area Network) edge is the easiest place to start virtualizing a network. Software-defined WANs provide relatively quick cost savings and performance benefits. Virtualization eliminates hardware, enables more flexible management, and more.

When your business is ready to use software defined wide area network (SD-WAN) technology, the next logical question is "How?"

No two SD-WAN Deployment Services are designed, created, and managed identically. Several factors change deployment decisions, including the composition of a remote site, end-user requirements, and budget constraints. SD-WAN implementation involves seven steps to help you ask the right questions. These steps are the following:

• Calculate the maximum number of remote locations
• The correct deployment size is based on the number of users and the expected use of WAN
• Analyze applications / services / workloads.
• Determine what WAN connectivity options are available
• Choose an implementation model
• Plan to capture the WAN data stream after deployment
• Continuous improvement based on analysis

Let's take a closer look at each of these steps.

1. Calculate the maximum number of remote locations: The number of SD-WAN deployment options that can be deployed increases relative to the number of remote locations in a company. Smaller SD-WAN use cases generally keep the overall architecture simple by using ready-to-use configurations. For simplicity, these types of implementations generally use a star topology that brings all traffic back to one place. Most companies choose design complexity because they lack the budget, manpower, or need for a more robust design.

Large deployments offer more flexibility when it comes to how complicated they can be. Much of this depends on the importance of remote locations in terms of business continuity. The more critical remote locations become for business performance, the more sophisticated the SD-WAN implementation will be.

2. Align the size of the deployment based on the number of users and the expected use of WAN: The number of end users and the location of your applications and data play an important role in determining the design and size of an SD-WAN. For example, if a remote site has hundreds or thousands of users, but applications and data are managed locally, WAN optimization and intelligence may not be as important as a 10-user site that uses business-critical applications that they are further a WAN From a performance point of view, the number of employees is important. However, be sure to measure the needs per user and the business importance of a WAN.

3. Analyze applications / services / workloads: Then assess the number, type, and importance of all the expected applications, services, and workloads that will go through the WAN. Investigate to identify each application, how this application interacts with resources distributed over the WAN, and what network requirements exist. For real-time streaming protocols such as voice, video, and high-performance database access, these application data streams must be identified, flagged, and prioritized over a WAN.

The secret to the success of a successful SD-WAN deployment comes from this analysis of the application. Only through this analysis can IT departments determine if applications are using SD-WAN resources or if they require faster speeds. Only if you know these application requirements can you configure your SD-WAN correctly. Without going through a thorough review and prioritizing applications by importance and requirements, the intelligence of an SD-WAN implementation lacks the information to make appropriate routing decisions.

4. Determine what WAN connectivity options are available: After calculating the latency and performance requirements based on the information collected in the previous three steps, examine what WAN connection options are available at each location. Don't forget: SD-WAN technologies must have two or more WAN connections for SD-WAN AI to have a choice of routes to use. If all of your offices are in modern urban areas, there may be a large number of private WAN and / or broadband providers. In this situation, the choice of WAN connectivity types comes down to answering the following questions:

• What performance, what latency, and what reliability are required today?
• What options best allow for the expected type of scale and / or reduction?
• What options are best suited to your budget?

However, if your remote locations are in rural areas, you should also consider the limitations of WAN's restricted options. In this situation, no stone should be flipped. Fortunately, the underlying information in SD-WANs can continue to use low bandwidth connections and higher latency while taking full advantage of it. As a result, options that are often initially ignored (for example, LTE and satellite broadband) may be viable connectivity options in some places.

5. Choose an implementation model: All the previous steps in this process deal with the framework in which SD-WAN is running. When this is complete, the fifth step is to examine the SD-WAN deployment options and find out which model best fits. There are three basic implementation models to choose from.

First, in-house IT staff could negotiate prices and enter into WAN connection contracts directly with the provider. Once complete, the company's IT department can select, fully implement and manage an SD-WAN. Alternatively, many IT decision makers have chosen a SD-WAN managed service provider (MSP) to handle all aspects of the WAN, including relationships with WAN line providers, SD-WAN provisioning, and all continuous maintenance.

Finally, it is becoming increasingly popular to provide a hybrid solution that divides tasks between internal IT staff and an MSP. In this scenario, an MSP manages the underlying WAN infrastructure by monitoring the performance of WAN connections and by opening preventive trouble tickets with WAN line providers on behalf of the customer. The entire WAN guidelines creation, management, and security situation is left to internal IT staff, who better understand user needs. As Gartner noted, many IT departments are now responsible for managing service delivery, not managing traditional IT infrastructure.

6. Schedule capture of the WAN data stream after deployment: It is important to note that even after the SD-WAN architecture has been implemented, the technology requires ongoing maintenance to function efficiently. While artificial intelligence eliminates numerous manual processes within an SD-WAN platform, relevant information about changes in user requirements, growth, or business requirements has yet to be provided. This information must be collected and selected so that the intelligence embedded in the SD-WAN architecture can understand the changes and make the necessary adjustments to the data flow policy.

7. Continuous improvement based on analysis: When an IT department implements an SD-WAN architecture, it generally behaves according to the information that was originally provided. It is up to a network administrator to determine when to enter new policy information (based on business requirements) that changes the behavior of an SD-WAN. The collected data should be analyzed and then imported back to the SD-WAN platform at regular intervals.

Changes in connectivity type should also be re-evaluated on a specific timeline. New WAN connection options may be available to enhance the experience of WAN end users. Additionally, the number of users, the types of applications, and the critical importance of applications / data are likely to change over time, increasing or decreasing performance, speed, and fluctuations at each location. It is important that continuous improvement is planned and planned properly to ensure that the intelligence of an SD-WAN is effective.

Deploying an SD-WAN

When implementing an SD-WAN Deployment, don't forget how the technology is used in your particular environment. Although each described step does not have to be carried out in succession, the steps can be divided into pre-planning, architecture and ongoing administration phases.

When planning ahead, consider the connectivity types of individual branches. Also calculate the number of end users and their specific application requirements. The architecture phase includes considering geographic location, user requirements, and the deployment model to optimally achieve your goals.

After all, you need data acquisition and analysis in the continuous management phase to continually optimize your SD-WAN architecture. Then, based on the results of the analysis, review the network guidelines to adapt them to the business requirements. If these steps can be followed in the phases described, you are on the right track for an enterprise SD-WAN that will work for years to come.

Engagement Models

Each company is unique, which is why we believe that each relationship requires a unique strategy. We understand the challenges customers face at different stages of the software life cycle. Through its experience in multiple engagements, EVRY has developed methods and processes to enable collaborative harmony with its customers for the new product roadmap, application management, reengineering, and third-party testing.

By following the CMMI DEV Maturity Level 5 and CMMI SVC Maturity Level 5 processes, as well as the ISO 9001: 2015 and ISO / IEC 27001: 2013 procedures, you can be sure that performance remains constant. We also consider the needs and concerns of offshoring before submitting a site, fixed price, time and material model or a build, operate and transfer model. A carefully designed Managed Services Engagement Model helps our clients manage their risk and balance their delivery strategy and cost for key business functions. EVRY offers different engagement models as follows:

Offshore model on site

When developing a tailored strategy, we evaluate the type of project and define processes that ensure that the results meet the agreed standards. We have demonstrated our knowledge of both on-site and off-site operations and recommend a combination that offers our customers an optimal combination of speed, economy and flexibility and ensures long-lasting, quality relationships.

An on-site team coordinates and manages requirements gathering, project definition, planning, milestone and results qualification, as well as user implementation and training. All development, testing, support and maintenance activities are carried out from our offshore development facilities in Bangalore and Chandigarh, India.

Mixed equipment and delivery property

A competent team with the right mix of resources will only work on client projects. EVRY will take responsibility for delivery and proactively build the repository for key insight. The process-oriented transfer of resources, as well as the mandatory overlap time and the Knowledge Management System (KMS) guarantee normal business.

Designated infrastructure

EVRY will assign work areas within its facilities to ensure closeness and cohesion within the team. EVRY configures all the hardware and software resources necessary for the project in a specific area. One of the decisive factors for the success of the Pavilion® is the establishment of the development / test environment. The environment replicates the production environment.

Scalability and visibility of the project.

EVRY uses process adaptation guidelines to meet customer requirements at the Pavilion®. The client not only sets the standard for this engagement, but is also involved in managing the tasks of the offshore team. This unique model helps clients achieve higher levels of productivity and profitability. EVRY will offer software solutions while clients focus their time and efforts on meeting their clients' needs.

Managed services

EVRY offers managed services that focus on SLA / KPI management in IT applications, infrastructure and operations. Given the ever-changing business complexity and the emergence of disruptive technologies, the focus has never been on business and IT alignment anymore. EVRY's managed services approach to customer loyalty is demonstrated by a history of past commitments and innovations in meeting business metrics, productivity and profitability. Our solutions continue to be a measure of the success of our customers and EVRY. This is complemented by:

• A global delivery model
• Flexible but clearly defined transition model
• Domain and technology experts.
• Customized governance model
• An Managed Services engagement model that can be tailored to the changing needs of the business.

With our commitment to managed service, we are ready to work with the company to help them meet and exceed their business metrics, productivity improvements, and profitability goals. We draw on our expertise in providing managed services for a variety of services, including application management, data engineering, quality assurance, mobility, Internet of Things, infrastructure, and cloud activation.

6 Reasons You Should Be Outsourcing Your Cybersecurity Operations

 Cyber attacks are now a daily routine for digital businesses without exception. Businesses could get away with simple security measures years ago, but ever-changing threats now require the latest security measures. Cybersecurity spending in the US USA It increased from $ 27.4 billion 8 years ago to $ 60 billion in 2017.

Along with the increase in the number and frequency of cyber attacks, the complexity of the attacks and the variety of TTP (tactics, techniques and procedures) is continually increasing.

This poses a global and well-considered challenge to companies in various industries from qualified security experts.

Given the Outsourced Cybersecurity Operations that is so important to businesses today, large and medium-sized companies need qualified teams of information security analysts and information technology engineers, in addition to daily security measures. However, the combination of security knowledge, technology, and intelligence required for internal cybersecurity teams cannot facilitate or manage every business.

WHO SHOULD DEFINE THE CYBER SECURITY OF THE HOUSE?

The choice of internal or Outsourced Cybersecurity Operations depends on factors such as the size of the company, the volume of data and the availability of resources.

Internal cybersecurity management enables a company to maintain full control over operations, and it also means that there is someone on site who can personally address their concerns. However, it is difficult to solve the right problems and find the right person or team with the skills to lead an internal cyber security team. And with an increasing variety of attack surfaces, companies must trust that they can keep up with changing reach and technologies.

Outsourcing to cybersecurity experts

Companies that choose to outsource cybersecurity professionals have clear benefits that should not be overlooked. We have broken down six main benefits:

# 1 - A team of experienced security experts

• Qualified security professionals are in high demand and availability is low
• Once you actually find employees, less time and money are wasted on a onboarding process
• Access to security experts for an immediate response.
• Outsourced experts are up to date on the latest threats and security tools.

# 2 - Better threat detection and incident response times

• A team of experts who monitor 24 hours a day can respond to threats in real time.
• A managed detection and response (MDR) platform provides quick information for a quick response
• With MDR, there is no tedious log and alarm review

 # 3 - Advanced technology

• New attack methods mean new defense tools that require a learning curve to install and use effectively
• Outsourcing avoids delays in determining the value of a new software solution provided by internal employees
• Buying and maintaining new software solutions is also expensive

 # 4 threat information and safety knowledge

• Using an outsourced threat intelligence platform enables a comprehensive analysis of a company's news profile, resulting in accurate and actionable indicators of threat intelligence
• The platform can also mitigate threats before they turn into security breaches.
• With data from millions of sources, it is increasingly difficult to develop and maintain these functions internally

# 5 Independent cybersecurity validation

• Outsourcing provides independent vulnerability analysis using tools like pentesting and other automated simulations of complex attacks.
• Outsourced service providers can coordinate a variety of attacks to verify a company's resilience and subsequent response time
• Automated testing tools are supported by teams of experts so customers can react to results.
• Using historical data, a company can see how its security situation has improved over time.

# 6 Better control of the supply chain.

• Protecting against security breaches in the security of a provider or service provider is crucial
• Understanding the entire digital ecosystem of these additional attack areas is a major challenge for internal teams
• Outsourcing providers can map their entire supply chain and their digital ecosystem
• The supply chain can be monitored for signs of compromise, weaknesses, and an overall assessment of the level of maturity of supply chain processes.
• Supported by a security team along with automated capabilities for immediate mitigation measures

 When deciding to outsource, it's important to find the right cybersecurity provider to meet your long-term partnership needs and provide the advanced tools and security equipment necessary for a truly comprehensive cybersecurity solution. The provider's solution must be dynamic and evolve to stay one step ahead of emerging cybercrime tactics.

Or choose a combination of internal and external cyber security, depending on where your core team's strengths and weaknesses lie. The combination can be very variable; Here is just one scenario: security operations - internal; On-site threat detection, but outsourced and managed by a provider; Response to internal (level 1) and outsourced (level 2 and 3) incidents.

The ability to create highly effective mixed teams of external and internal cybersecurity enables you to define and execute the combination based on your threat map, in its defined context for business and risk management.

If you don't know what approach to take, first map out your threats and evaluate how you can address them to find out what makes the most sense to you right now.

THE DOLLAR AND THE SENSE OF EXTERNALIZATION

For most companies, cybersecurity is not a priority and, despite its importance, it may be overlooked or not managed optimally. Organizations can't afford to ignore cyber security when the average cost of a phishing attack (for example) costs a median business $ 1.6 million. For small businesses, this can be a fatal blow as 60% close the business within six months of an attack.

It is important to be a type of strategic decision. Businesses must focus on their core business and ensure that appropriate security measures are taken when outsourcing services. In the long run, companies can save money by avoiding data breaches. In some cases, the annual cost of outsourcing may be less than the salary of a single safety engineer.