First, read what a Managed Service Provider is before you take a deeper look into how an MSP protects your company. And make sure you check out Part 2: The Human Element if you missed it.
Here are the more advanced threats that can harm your company, and why an MSP is your best option.
Malware
According to Google, malware (short for "malicious software") is software that is intended to damage or disable computers and computer systems. It is also often used for data mining to get your trade secrets, customer lists, personal and financial information. It can include phishing threats, viruses, ransomware, spyware, etc. Back in the day, malware was very simple. Many attacks came from curious hackers who weren't out to make money but just to see what they could do. Nowadays, with ransomware and other digital money-making opportunities, malware has become exponentially more vicious. As technology rockets forward, so do the cyber threats. And the more advanced malware gets, the less likely you can fight it on your own. Placing ransomware on a computer that spreads throughout the whole system endangers businesses with loss of data, with little or no thought to the damage it will do to that business. All the hacker wants is your money, your data is inconsequential to them.
How an MSP protects you: Think of an MSP as your own digital army. Now your business is protected by consistent monitoring and professionals who can fight those cyber-battles for you. You won't have to worry about whether or not you're keeping up with the latest in cyber security because your network is protected at all times. Partnering with an MSP takes the worry out of your mind and allows you to focus on your business, not your technology.
Hackers
Hand-in-hand with malware, hackers are the human component behind cyber attacks. Someone has to program that evil bot, right? There is some serious money to be made in the hacking business. And with heavy competition like that, it's a perfect environment to breed hackers. And the bad news is, the more advanced they get, the more help the average business owner will need to protect themselves. Hackers, who may or may not be looking to harm individuals, have also made money selling software flaws/openings they find to governments for tens of thousands of dollars, as recently revealed with our own government acquiring and using Apple hack to track terrorists.
How an MSP protects you: Just like with malware, having an MSP partner takes the stress off your shoulders. With your network being monitored 24/7, any kind of attack will be spotted before it can do damage. And, even better, your network won't have the common vulnerabilities that most do. The usual holes that hackers exploit won't exist in your network, meaning your business flies under the radar of most attacks. Off-site encrypted backups, with additional monitoring, greatly assist in the fight against ransomware and virus inflection of your network. Allowing for minimal downtime. Your equipment will be updated, your software will be patched regularly, your network will be solidified, and you can sleep easy at night knowing your company is more secure and your MSP has your back.
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