If you're wondering if your industry could see the benefits from outsourcing your IT to a Managed Service Provider (MSP), then you're in the right place. Some industries have unique needs for managed IT services, which may include:
- Document management & data security
- Technical support
- Disaster recovery
- Protections to help prevent data breaches
- Latest technological solutions to increase productivity
The goal of managed IT services is to support a business's IT infrastructure by keeping its environment secure and productive. Below are some of the top industries that have recognized the benefits of partnering with an MSP to manage their IT.
1. Architecture
Architectural firms benefit significantly from outsourcing IT to an MSP. Architectural firms have many sensitive and critical information stored within their database. For many architects, if they were to have a network failure where essential files were lost, this could significantly impact their work.
For projects in CAD, virtual drawings, intensive projects, or models that were worked on, it is essential to know that if your system were to crash, important files would not be lost.
MSPs will ensure that all of your information is backed up. This way, files will be stored in a secure environment, so if a crash does occur, these files will be recovered.
2. Finance
Client financial information needs careful handling and protection. Breaches in this industry can result in financial hardships for customers, as well as severe legal and reputational ramifications for businesses. To mitigate this risk, managed IT services for financial institutions can offer advanced security solutions for sensitive data.
For example, IT services for banks can protect user accounts by implementing multifactor authentication, which can mitigate credential-stuffing attacks. IT services for accounting firms can streamline data protection by securing company or client information through customized admin controls.
IT services for financial industry businesses can allow them to focus on client needs rather than worrying about their security and IT infrastructure. Many financial services have to follow strict state guidelines, and MSPs can assist in complying with any industry-specific regulations.
3. Legal Firms
IT services for legal industries can be a great solution to help secure highly sensitive and confidential information. It's not likely that legal offices are storing their client's information in manilla folders anymore. Most information is stored on computers, which, if managed correctly, is highly secure.
Cyber attacks on legal firms could lead to theft or public release of sensitive client data. This could cause your business to have a poor reputation, lose current clients and affect any future clientele as well. Law firms are often a target for cyber-attacks because hackers know how valuable their information is.
Managed IT services for law firms can provide the latest legal technology, security measures, and processes to keep information secure. Your law practice's network will be monitored for any suspicious activity to ensure any cyber threats are recognized before they can cause damage.
In this way, managed IT services for lawyers allow them to focus on managing their clients rather than worrying about the security of their databases.
4. Education
For schools, colleges and universities, IT services for education can be a game-changer. The main goal of IT services for schools is not growth or scalability, but to optimize data management systems.
School databases contain confidential information including student and parent records. With an MSP, schools can feel safe knowing they have all the latest tools and processes to keep their network secure.
A smooth-running network is crucial for quality education, as crashes can halt learning and frustrate students and teachers. Investing in managed IT services for education will ensure equipment is correctly set up to optimize network performance.
This allows students and teachers to work efficiently without fussing with slow computers.
5. Healthcare
The healthcare industries are another highly sought out target for many hackers. Why? For instance, doctors' offices and hospitals hold highly confidential information about people. Many hackers know if they were able to get into their system, they would have a high chance of receiving payment to get the data back.
Hiring an MSP will ensure that your systems are secure and can help to avoid a ransomware attack. MSPs will also ensure that all processes are compliant with industry-wide standards such as HIPPA. This way, you will never have to worry about failing to meet regulations.
To learn more about the importance of proper cybersecurity in healthcare and how to achieve it, read our blog: Is Cybersecurity Really That Big of a Deal In Healthcare? Risks of Healthcare Data Breaches
6. Manufacturing
IT services for manufacturing offers unique value by allowing clients peace of mind so they can focus their energy on production and growth.
In manufacturing, it is critical to have a secure environment. Any malicious hack could result in reduced or halted production. Downtime after a ransomware attack can range from 2-3 weeks, in which you will not be able to perform business as usual. This can hurt your company's reputation and result in financial loss.
Many hackers target manufacturing companies because they know the financial impact a ransomware attack can have. For this reason, hackers assume that manufacturing companies are more likely to make hefty ransomware payments to ensure production can resume normally.
Managed IT services for manufacturing companies can offer cybersecurity tools and processes to mitigate the risk of a successful cyber attack. Avoiding cybersecurity threats can keep you safe from downtime, financial loss, and a damaged reputation.
What if I'm not on the list? Can I still benefit from outsourcing IT?
If your business is on this list, it is crucial to analyze the benefits and costs of outsourcing IT for your situation. On the other hand, if your industry is not on this list, that doesn't mean that your business isn't a good fit for managed IT.
There are several ways that any business can benefit from outsourcing their IT, including:
- A wide range of cybersecurity protections
- Business growth and scalability
- Greater focus on core mission through minimized downtime
- Flexible and resilient IT infrastructure
- Maximizing return on IT spend
- Meeting regulatory compliance
Is your business the right fit for outsourcing IT?
A consultation is a great way to gauge your compatibility with a provider. In an initial managed IT consultation, it's important to know what to ask a provider. Check out this article to help you on your search to find the right managed IT provider for your business: 10 Questions You Should Ask Before Committing To a Managed Service Provider.
If you are interested in optimizing your network and cybersecurity strategy, click the button below to speak to one of our IT experts about your business.
