6 Signs you need a new MSP for the new year

January is the perfect time for businesses to reflect on the past 12 months and set resolutions for the new year. As you look back at your company's accomplishments and growth, you should also reevaluate your critical business suppliers and partners, including your managed IT services provider (MSP). Are they still worth keeping or are they hindering your company’s growth?

Here are six common signs you need a new MSP.
1. Your software programs are not up to date
IT networks require regular maintenance and updates to stay secure.

Keeping your firmware up to date

Technology evolves quickly. The features of a phone that came out two years ago are likely very different from the features of the most recent model. It's the same with printers, laptops, and other devices in your office — newer models with better features are introduced to the market yearly, so you need to keep up with technology trends to stay competitive and even compliant with security regulations.

Here’s how to tell if you need to switch to another MSP

Managed IT services providers or MSPs offer everything from IT consulting to cloud management to cybersecurity, practically serving as IT departments to non-IT firms. If you’re currently availing of managed services, how do you know that you’re getting what you’re paying for? Here are the signs that will tell you to switch to another MSP:

1. The light at the end of the tunnel always seems to be dim and far away
In other words, your MSP keeps failing to assuage your fears that stem from IT-related concerns, such as cyberthreats and poor IT performance.

How updated firmware keeps cyberattacks at bay

Your business may have all the latest cybersecurity solutions in place, but if you haven’t updated your computers’ firmware in a while, you may still be at risk of data breaches and other cyberattacks. Here’s how updating firmware can beef up your company’s cyber defenses.

Small- and mid-sized businesses need cybersecurity

If your company has recently suffered from a data breach or a ransomware attack, then you know how costly it can be. You lose not just hundreds of dollars but also the reputation you’ve built through the years. That’s why you need cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions to protect your business from ever-growing cybersecurity threats.

Obsolete firmware poses security risks

Are you still hanging on to your old work computers since they “still work fine”? While they may still help you get the job done, their outdated firmware can make you vulnerable to security risks that can lead to major problems.
What is firmware?
Firmware is a basic type of software that is embedded into every piece of hardware.

Use data analytics to manage backups

The amount of data that the average business manages is unprecedented. And with that shift comes an unavoidable challenge: Deciding which files and records are most important to business continuity. However, with a little creative thinking and implementation, you can ensure the security of your most critical data.

Obsolete firmware poses security risks

Are you still using that old computer that is not-so gracefully aging and devaluing? Maybe you are running important programs on older machines with old operating systems since they “still work fine.” While it might still help you get the job done, there may be hidden security risks that can lead to major problems later on.

Avoid losing your business to data loss. Get our FREE eBook to learn how.DOWNLOAD NOW
+