Managed Services

10 Signs Your Association Needs Managed IT Services to Enhance Operational Efficiency

These days, digital tools underpin almost all of an association’s activities: internal communication, membership management, event planning, accounting, and more.   

 You’ll need dependable, affordable, and well-managed technology to avoid overburdening your resources and prevent disruptions impacting your ability to serve your members well.  

Spending a lot of time troubleshooting IT issues or workflow moving slower due to inadequate tools can prevent your team from doing their jobs effectively – with some workers spending almost four hours a month of their own time making up for hours lost due to completing unnecessary tasks.  

If you find maintaining a thriving IT ecosystem challenging, outsourcing to a managed IT services provider can be an excellent solution. Below, we outline ten signs that indicate it’s time to bring in professionals! 

  1. 1. Frequent IT Issues and Downtime Are Impacting Productivity

For every minute your IT infrastructure doesn’t function properly, you can spend a significant amount of money that eats into your budget.  

It’s expensive if your employees regularly face common technological hurdles that delay their work, whether it’s lagging computers, slow network speeds, unreliable communication tools, software glitches or system failures. Not only do these situations disrupt your productivity and delay your ability to meet deadlines and achieve your long-term objectives, but they can also lead to diminished morale and even employee attrition.  

If this is your reality, you may need a managed IT services provider to ensure your team can consistently access essential tools so that your key activities run smoothly. When a global education-focused association partnered with designDATA, they experienced a seamless transition to remote work at the start of the pandemic and continue to benefit from proactive maintenance and monitoring that minimizes downtime on an ongoing basis. 

  1. Inadequate IT Support and Slow Response Times

Sometimes, an association might rely on a complex technological infrastructure that outpaces the capacity of its limited in-house IT team or its current external service provider. You may be in that situation if you experience delays in addressing technical issues, making it harder for your team to stay on track with important tasks and projects. 

If you don’t currently receive timely and reliable IT support, it’s time for something new!  

Look for a high-quality managed IT services provider who specializes in association technology management. With a team of skilled specialists on call, you’ll always be able to access the required knowledge to tackle your problem promptly. You’ll want to find someone who outlines their guaranteed response times in their service level agreements so you can be rest assured that any IT issues will be addressed quickly and your operations can keep running smoothly. 

  1. High IT Maintenance and Repair Costs

Without an adequately skilled team that consistently and proactively maintains its technology infrastructure, associations often deal with problems that divert financial resources from more important initiatives. 

Has your association experienced minor issues with your technology that escalated into a critical situation? You may have had to spend a lot of unplanned money on expensive emergency interventions and replacements, which prevented you from investing in strategic growth or member services.   

To avoid these expenses, you should work with a managed IT services provider who can implement effective IT cost management strategies and provide a more stable environment. 

  1. Outdated Technology and Lack of Modernization

Your association’s operational efficiency is likely diminished if you rely on outdated hardware and software, conduct infrequent technology evaluations and upgrades, and don’t educate your team on safely incorporating innovations like artificial intelligence.  

Are your staff struggling to leverage newer technologies or encountering compatibility issues when trying to integrate advanced cloud-based IT solutions into your infrastructure? A managed IT service provider can guide them in modernizing your environment. 

  1. Data Security Vulnerabilities and Rising Cyber Threats 

Relying on outdated technologies goes beyond simply impacting productivity. It also increases your association’s cybersecurity risks by creating vulnerabilities that bad actors can exploit. 

Many organizations struggle to ensure sufficient data protection and implement tactics like patch management, threat detection, security audits, strong passwords, and staff training. 

Yet by adopting data security best practices with the support of a managed IT services provider who understands the necessary cybersecurity solutions for associations, you’ll be better equipped to protect your organization.   

  1. Difficulty in Scaling IT Infrastructure

The needs of your members are constantly changing: how you support them should, too.  

Are your existing technology systems having trouble keeping up with your growing operations? Perhaps you struggle with the necessary strategic planning for expanding your IT infrastructure cohesively, or you might be dealing with disjointed systems from years of ad-hoc solutions. 

Partnering with a managed IT services provider can help you build a well-integrated IT environment that adequately supports member needs as they evolve. 

  1. Poor Member Experience Due to IT Problems

Your team might feel discouraged if they’re always dealing with frustrated members who can’t log in, sign up for events, or contact your organization. These technical issues can make it more challenging to keep members engaged and involved in your initiatives, and therefore, harder for your team to reach your goals and drive long-term success. 

If this situation sounds familiar, it may be time to seek assistance in maintaining a user-friendly IT infrastructure that empowers good communications with your members. 

  1. Non-Compliance with Industry Regulations

Depending on your specific focus and location, many federal and state data privacy laws in the U.S. could influence your association’s operations. Non-compliance can lead to serious consequences, including legal penalties and fines.  

If your organization struggles to adhere to the relevant standards governing your technology use, you may benefit from support from a provider who understands association and nonprofit IT solutions. They will have extensive expertise in conducting regular audits, infrastructure updates, and risk assessments, and can make it easier to ensure compliance. 

  1. Lack of Strategic IT Management and Direction

Are your current technology practices and policies yielding optimal outcomes? Consider whether your association frequently makes reactive technology decisions, resulting in investments that don’t align with your operational goals.   

You can partner with a managed IT services provider to guide you toward achieving operational sustainability with your technology. Look for experts with experience in overseeing digital transformation for associations and IT infrastructure optimization. 

  1. Overwhelmed In-House IT Staff

Your internal IT team likely handles many responsibilities, from managing system updates and user requests to troubleshooting technical issues and implementing security measures.  

With so much on their plate, it’s hard to go beyond focusing on immediate problems to tackling strategic IT projects. That reactive firefighting prevents them from successfully maintaining a well-functioning IT infrastructure that boosts organizational productivity.     

Partnering with a managed IT services provider skilled in IT support for nonprofits and associations can free up your team to concentrate on more mission-critical initiatives.     

Partner with designDATA to Streamline Your Association’s IT 

While there are many barriers that you might face, your association doesn’t have to struggle with an inadequate IT environment that fails to meet their needs and maintain efficiency.   

By partnering with designDATA for our strategic IT consulting and managed IT services for associations, you’ll tap into expert support to ensure your technology empowers your work instead of hindering it.  We’re here to streamline your operations, minimize disruptive downtime, and implement cost-effective solutions that let you allocate resources to projects that directly impact your members.   

 Optimize your association’s IT with expert-backed managed IT services – contact designDATA today! 

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Stop Managing Your Managed IT Service Provider: How Proactive IT Partners Maximize Your ROI

Stop Managing Your Managed IT Service Provider: How Proactive IT Partners Maximize Your ROI

As organizations operate across various cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments, managing their technology has become more challenging. 

Employees need to collaborate seamlessly from multiple locations, technology is advancing rapidly, and cyber threats are growing in sophistication, frequency, and impact. In fact, cybercrime is projected to cost a staggering $12 trillion by 2025. To handle this complexity, many are turning to a managed IT service provider to ensure their systems remain efficient and reliable. 

But too often, organizations find themselves spending their valuable time managing their MSP—following up on unresolved tickets and chasing after critical updates—rather than focusing on their core goals. 

Below, you’ll learn about the importance of MSP-led communication for maximizing your return on investment and tips on how to select the right provider for long-term success.

The Role of Proactive IT Communication in MSP-Client Relationships 

Because the relationship with an IT provider has become so essential to its ability to operate, an organization should feel like they are in good hands. 

Good-quality managed IT services for nonprofits are especially important, as these organizations often operate with limited resources and must prioritize efficiency to fulfill their mission effectively. For example, an autism-focused nonprofit organization in DC was able to streamline their workday by offloading their IT management to designDATA. Our responsiveness was key to ensuring they had adequate employee support and timely issue resolution. 

Unfortunately, not all MSPs will communicate effectively. 

It should never be your job to oversee your IT service management. Instead, your managed IT service provider should be responsible for establishing a clear communication channel with you about your IT priorities. This will let you all stay aligned on goals, expectations, and ongoing IT needs while your organization can make informed decisions about your technology. You will also feel confident that your MSP’s solutions are tailored to your specific context and strategic objectives. 

The Five Keys to Effective Communication 

Achieving that effective working relationship and proactive IT communication requires a well-established MSP communication cadence, where you know that you’re getting the maximum value for your time, money, and resources. 

At our company, we’ve honed a tried-and-true approach that involves: 

  1. Weekly tactical meetings where you review your IT support services and discuss any ongoing IT issues. You can also schedule and communicate any downtime or maintenance and address any concerns. 
  2. Proactive Priority of the Month meeting where you tackle non-urgent but essential maintenance items that other MSPs often leave at the bottom of the pile indefinitely. 
  3. Quarterly IT benchmarking assessments, where we evaluate your IT environment in five key areas: productivity, cybersecurity, infrastructure management, cloud service enablement, and business continuity. We compare your systems and processes against other organizations to ensure you effectively use your technology. 
  4. Bi-Annual Business Reviews where we have an executive-level discussion about our recent accomplishments and upcoming plans, their budgetary impacts, the possibility of adding emerging technology to your tech stack, and how we can add more value to your organization. 
  5. Yearly Initiative Rankings meeting where we discuss more broad-level critical success factors. We use a project ranking matrix that scores IT initiatives based on your criteria, looking at which has the most significant impact on your operations to help us prioritize what is most important. 

The Benefits of a Team-Based Approach for IT Service Management 

Beyond having a regular and established communication cadence, your organization will feel happier with a managed IT services provider that takes a team-based approach to IT support.

In our experience, MSP’s client satisfaction hinges on organizations knowing they have access to reliable support whenever needed. That’s why a good provider will act as an extension of your team, making it feel almost as if your organization has its own in-house IT while still leveraging the benefits of working with a comprehensive outsourced provider. 

Your staff should be able to connect with familiar engineers whenever they need support and have a dedicated point of contact to create comfort and consistency. 

This is especially valuable when working with an MSP for nonprofits. With a dedicated team that understands your organization, its environment, and specific needs, you’ll be better equipped to proactively anticipate and address challenges, keeping your operations running smoothly. 

How to Choose the Right MSP for Your Organization 

Your choice for your managed IT service provider will directly impact your efficiency, security, and growth, so it’s important to be diligent in finding the right fit. Yet with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to determine who will best address your unique needs. 

Here are a few factors to consider when selecting an MSP for nonprofits: 

1. Assess your IT needs, current and future 

Conduct a thorough assessment of your infrastructure and operations to understand your organization’s priorities for its technology. Before you start looking for a provider, you should know as much as you can about your current vulnerabilities, desires for upgrades, and long-term operational goals. This knowledge will help you find someone whose skills reflect your environment. 

2. Review their available services 

Once you know your needs, you can evaluate providers to determine whether they offer services that can help you meet them. 

Qualified managed IT providers should definitely prioritize your cybersecurity and provide services such as security assessments, incident response and business continuity planning, identity management, and 24/7 continuous monitoring to keep your data safe. 

You should also consider looking for providers who offer data center and cloud management services, as well as staff training to ensure your team can confidently navigate their digital workplaces. 

3. Evaluate their track record 

You can gain valuable insight into a managed IT service provider’s ability to foster a long-term, high-quality partnership by looking at the people and reputation surrounding them. Start by reviewing client testimonials and recommendations to understand the experiences of other organizations. It’s also helpful to consider how long a provider has been in business and how long their employees have stayed with the company. Additionally, examining their client base and identifying organizations similar to yours can give you a clearer sense of how well they understand your specific challenges. 

4. Assess their IT service quality 

Providers should make it easy for you to examine their customer support capabilities in their service level agreements. Pay close attention to their claims around uptime, response times, and average resolution times to ensure they can provide IT solutions for nonprofits that meet your operational needs without unnecessary delays. Additionally, evaluate their onboarding process to understand how quickly and smoothly they can integrate with your team, as well as their ongoing communication practices. 

Partner with designDATA for your IT Success 

The key to getting the most out of your IT investment is partnering with an MSP that takes a proactive approach rather than one that needs constant oversight. Your provider should focus on boosting efficiency, reducing downtime, and supporting long-term growth for your organization. 

designDATA offers tailored managed IT services for nonprofits, associations, and other organizations, applying a strong emphasis on transparent communication and long-term planning to keep your IT reliable and hassle-free. 

Let’s connect to discuss how we can deliver IT that works for you. Schedule a consultation with us today! 

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Four Ways Managed IT for Nonprofits Supports Organizational Sustainability 

Four Ways Managed IT for Nonprofits Supports Organizational Sustainability

Organizations need financial and economic stability if they want to support their communities long-term. While economic uncertainty remains outside their control, they can remain effective by building resilient operations that support their mission-driven activities.

Leaders know that robust nonprofit IT solutions are essential for long-term operational sustainability—that’s why 52% of organizations are prepared to increase their technology budget. When employees have appropriate and reliable technology, they can collaborate seamlessly, optimize resources, and drive their organization’s mission forward.

However, not all organizations have the internal capacity to build and maintain technology resilience. In these cases, partnering with a managed IT services provider specializing in nonprofits can be a strategic investment.

Keep reading to learn four strategies for leveraging these cost-effective IT services to benefit your organization financially and improve your efficiency to make an even more meaningful difference. 

The Struggles Associations and Nonprofits Face in Ensuring Their Long-term Viability  

Nonprofit organizations face various unique obstacles to operational sustainability, such as: 

1. Funding variability  

Nonprofits rely on fluctuating revenue streams, such as donations, grants, membership fees, and event income. For example, charitable giving dropped by 10.5% in 2022, though experts anticipate a 3.9% increase by 2025. These financial fluctuations make it difficult to maintain steady operations and plan for long-term initiatives. 

2. Staff turnover  

Organizations also deal with staff turnover and executive departures that may disrupt their capacity-building attempts and hinder their ability to carry forward institutional knowledge and strategic direction.

3. Ineffective technology  

As tools advance and digital workplaces rapidly evolve, organizations that want to meet their community’s expectations need to adapt and invest in the most effective IT infrastructure for nonprofits. However, limited budgets can prevent nonprofits from upgrading outdated systems, migrating data, or implementing modern IT solutions. As a result, nonprofit technology solutions struggle to keep up or avoid disruptions to their performance, whether from a software crash, system failure, or cyberattack. 

That inefficiency ends up massively impacting their financial health. The organization wastes time, money, and staff energy dealing with issues, diverting resources from impactful programs and affecting operational viability. They will likely increase costs by spending more due to delays or fixing a mistake while reducing their potential revenue if the ineffectiveness deters people from supporting them financially. 

How Managed IT Services Can Contribute to Longterm Organizational Sustainability  

Outsourcing IT management can be a game-changer for nonprofits looking to reduce costs, enhance efficiency, strengthen security, and plan for long-term sustainability. Here’s how partnering with a managed IT services provider can benefit your organization’s financial future: 

1. Improving Cost Efficiency and Savings 

Working with an MSP can lead to immediate cost reductions by eliminating the need for large IT infrastructure investments. Many providers offer access to data centers and virtual resources, allowing nonprofits to leverage enterprise-level technology without the high upfront costs. Additionally, their subscription-based pricing model ensures predictable IT budgeting with no hidden surprises.

These providers also typically have strong vendor relationships, meaning they can negotiate more favorable rates to deliver cost-effective IT solutions. Their expertise helps nonprofits make smarter technology investments, optimize resource allocation, and consolidate or upgrade systems for long-term savings.

A proactive MSP can prevent costly downtime by continuously monitoring and maintaining IT systems—reducing unexpected repair expenses. With the right technology in place, nonprofits can redirect funds to mission-driven initiatives and operate with greater financial stability.

2. Enhancing productivity and performance  

A managed IT services provider who understands the barriers to IT modernization for nonprofits will help boost your productivity. 

An MSP has the deep knowledge to smoothly integrate advanced solutions and artificial intelligence into your existing infrastructure, helping you automate the routine tasks and processes that take away resources from your vital programs. 

A skilled provider should also follow a standardized approach to incident management, leveraging best practices to solve technical issues faster and minimize disruptions to your workflow. They will also engage in IT resilience planning and implement permanent solutions to prevent recurring problems that waste your time repeatedly. This improved efficiency will let you optimize your resources and maximize output without increasing operational costs. 

For example, a cancer foundation partnered with designDATA to modernize its IT infrastructure. With our strategic IT planning support, the organization strengthened its disaster recovery capabilities and now operates with greater confidence and fewer disruptions.

3. Reducing risks and maintaining compliance  

Nonprofits are increasingly targeted by cyber threats, making strong cybersecurity essential. A managed IT provider helps organizations:

  • Conduct security assessments to identify vulnerabilities and create a custom security roadmap.
  • Provide 24/7 system monitoring to detect and manage threats in real time.
  • Develop an incident response and disaster recovery plan to ensure operational continuity.
  • Offer security awareness training to empower employees as a first line of defense against cyber risks.

A proactive security strategy also simplifies regulatory compliance—a major concern for nonprofits handling sensitive donor, member, or financial data. Some MSPs even provide audit preparation and compliance solutions, easing the burden of meeting industry regulations.

4. Providing Strategic IT Planning Support 

Beyond the short-term cost savings, your organization will also optimize its funds long-term when your managed IT services provider builds you a high-performing, future-proofed, secure environment leveraging sustainable IT practices. 

Their proactive approach and consistent oversight will minimize downtime and financial ramifications from the resulting lost productivity. They will also reduce the need for your organization to spend heavily on reactive problem-solving, emergency repairs, or disaster recovery, as their experts will tackle issues before they escalate. 

Your provider will typically conduct a strategic technology assessment to ensure you invest only in technology that aligns with your organizational goals. Successful IT scalability for nonprofits requires prioritizing modern tools capable of supporting your needs as they evolve. If you work with a provider who knows how to scale a nonprofit’s infrastructure, they can drive you forward with fewer resources and more sustained operational efficiency. 

Implement sustainable IT practices with designDATA  

Today, organizations operate in a drastically different economic and social context than even just a few years ago. To successfully advance their mission and sustain their operations, they need a sustainable governance model and sufficient technological resilience to support them as they face change. 

Their technology infrastructure will be instrumental in achieving that goal. When your organization partners with designDATA for our managed IT services for nonprofits, our experts will take actionable steps to set you up for success. We will help your organization build an IT infrastructure that can weather any storms it might encounter. 

Let’s connect to discuss how designDATA can help you use your technology to achieve long-term organizational sustainability. 

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How Managed IT Services Empower Nonprofits to Scale Without Increasing Costs 

How Managed IT services Empower Nonprofits to Scale Without Increasing Costs 

Nonprofit organizations often face a complex challenge: balancing limited resources with the need to scale operations. 

Moreover, as workplace environments rely more on digital platforms, successfully scaling nonprofit operations depends on sourcing the right technology. However, building a robust, scalable IT infrastructure can be daunting!

IT outsourcing for nonprofits can provide a cost-effective way to get guidance and support in using your technology to drive growth without proportionally increasing costs. 

Below, we’ll discuss the common challenges organizations face, the financial benefits of partnering with outside IT professionals, and how managed IT services can provide the necessary strategic IT management to make a greater impact when growing your operations. 

Why IT Scalability for Nonprofits Can Be a Challenge 

Building a scalable IT infrastructure can be difficult when faced with financial constraints.

With limited budgets and resources, many nonprofits often rely on outdated and unprotected IT systems. This not only hinders performance and disrupts service delivery but also creates serious security vulnerabilities—contributing to the 27% of nonprofits worldwide that have experienced a cyberattack.

Relying on fundraising and grants can also create financial instability, putting pressure on CFOs to optimize resource allocation and manage financial risks. This makes it difficult to invest in long-term technology scaling strategies since maintaining current programs takes priority. As a result, many nonprofits do not allocate sufficient resources for technology capacity building and integrating new tools.

The Financial Benefits of Managed IT Services for Nonprofits 

Partnering with a managed IT services provider (MSP) is a smart strategy for budget-conscious nonprofits looking to maximize their IT investments and grow their operations successfully. With expert technical support, nonprofits can experience:

1. Financial stability over time  

An MSP can help build a sustainable foundation that can support your nonprofit’s diverse activities as it grows. By maintaining network health and proactively resolving issues, MSPs help minimize disruptions and create a stable technology environment. When combined with a subscription-based service model, this stability allows your organization to manage IT costs predictably and optimize its budget effectively.

In the short term, you’ll also save money working with an MSP because they will streamline infrastructure expenses. In the long term, you’ll avoid significant costs from expensive system failures or cyberattacks—especially considering that the global average cost of a cyberattack in 2024 reached $4.88 million. 

2. Increased ROI from reduced costs and improved efficiency  

With a well-managed and functional IT environment that keeps your data safe and available, your team can be more productive and collaborate more easily. That will help you use your limited resources effectively and avoid wasting them on duplicating or unnecessary efforts. 

Also, investing in user-friendly, efficient tools can help improve employee satisfaction and retention, contributing to a more engaged workforce.

3. More effective decisions about resource allocation  

Providers specializing in managed IT services for nonprofits can also help you with your IT infrastructure’s strategic vision. They will build you a technology roadmap that serves as a plan for how you can construct your infrastructure to accommodate growth, prioritizing more targeted investments that efficiently use your resources. 

How Managed IT Services Help Nonprofits Scale Effectively 

MSPs can support nonprofit scalability in several key ways, including:

1. Assessing your organization’s scalability needs and goals   

To make informed decisions about technology, nonprofits need a clear understanding of their current IT landscape. An MSP—particularly one well-versed in nonprofit IT challenges—can expertly analyze your current infrastructure and business processes. This includes identifying usage patterns, bottlenecks, and necessary upgrades in hardware and software.

A cybersecurity assessment is also critical, as scalability is only sustainable when IT infrastructure is resilient against threats and downtime.

2. Implementing scalable, mission-driven IT solutions  

Procuring nonprofit technology solutions requires deep expertise and experience to build the right mix of tools for scaling your operations. An MSP can facilitate the development of a nonprofit IT roadmap and the implementation of high-quality, optimized, and cost-effective IT solutions. 

They will ensure your network can continually handle increased traffic and changing connectivity requirements while maintaining hardware reliability under varying performance demands. 

Cloud-based solutions will definitely play a central role in executing an affordable scalability strategy. Software-as-a-service (SaaS) technologies offer easy access to expandable storage and application resources, allowing nonprofits to pay only for what they use.

An MSP specializing in SaaS for nonprofits can assist in vendor selection, subscription management, environment configuration, data migration, and ongoing system oversight. They can also implement a strong cybersecurity framework to protect IT assets and maintain compliance.

3. Ensuring seamless integration with existing systems  

Building a scalable IT infrastructure requires blending new technological innovations with the existing tools in your workplace. If done incorrectly, this can lead to operational inefficiency or data inconsistencies and, even more concerning, increased weaknesses and disruptions to your operations. 

An MSP will guide you through this process. For example, at the beginning of the pandemic, a military non-profit needed to shift their IT to support remote work. Thanks to having access to managed IT services for nonprofits, they were able to upgrade their network to handle the surge in offsite connectivity and keep their resources accessible for their employees. 

This type of support is becoming increasingly helpful as technological innovation continues to skyrocket. Many organizations are currently exploring AI-driven tools like Microsoft Copilot. An experienced MSP ensures strong cybersecurity measures, such as access control policies, to prevent data oversharing and other risks.

Or your nonprofit may want to implement a new cloud-based donor management system with your existing CRM and accounting software. The MSP will configure your systems to communicate information seamlessly, preventing data loss and helping staff continue working uninterrupted. 

4. Providing ongoing support and training  

An MSP can provide staff training and ongoing support to educate your staff on organizational technology so they can proficiently carry out their work tasks. Your nonprofit will improve adoption rates and performance, maximizing your IT investments and ensuring that your attempts at scaling operations will be sustainable. 

Why Nonprofits Choose designDATA 

Unfortunately, when your tech works against you instead of with you, it’s hard to engage in the more critical work necessary to serve your community – let alone stick to your budget or even grow. Among your options for nonprofit growth strategies, partnering with an MSP is a powerful option for expanding your organization through IT budget optimization and enhancing your technology capabilities.

At designDATA, we have extensive experience in providing IT support for nonprofits. Our specialists are committed to delivering tailored, managed IT services that DC organizations need to scale their impact effectively. 

Let’s connect to discuss how we can work together to maximize your IT investments. 

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A Strategic Guide for COOs on Optimizing Cybersecurity with Managed IT Services

A Strategic Guide for COOs on Optimizing Cybersecurity with Managed IT Services 

A poignant image of a dog, a golden-brown Labrador, lying on a stone step covered with an old coat, beside a cardboard with scattered coins. The backdrop includes a rustic iron railing and urban textures. There is an overlay picture of a blue shield.

Right now, cybersecurity threats show no signs of diminishing. In fact, they continue to escalate in both their frequency and sophistication. For example, emerging research shows the developer platform GitHub was inadvertently hosting a 3,000-account hacker “ghost” network that spread malware and phishing links to unsuspecting internet users. In yet another alarming case, hackers are currently taking advantage of the recent CrowdStrike software glitch to scam people in the chaos.

These incidents are just the tip of the iceberg.   

For the Chief Operating Officers of associations and nonprofits with limited resources, this chaotic and risky environment underscores the urgent need to reduce their organization’s vulnerability. Outsourcing your IT to a managed IT services provider helps you achieve that, letting you partner with qualified experts who will proactively manage and secure your technology.  

Keep reading for a comprehensive breakdown of how COOs can leverage professional IT services to minimize the risks you face to operational health and maximize security, efficiency, and growth. 

How Managed IT Services Support a COO’s Work in Enhancing Cybersecurity 

A COO’s main priority is organizational resilience. While overseeing your organization’s day-to-day administrative functioning, your goal is to execute its mandate and facilitate the timely and on-budget completion of all your activities and initiatives. 

You also spend a significant proportion of your time focusing on strategic, “big picture” planning. So, in your quest to strengthen your cybersecurity posture, you likely seek effective and affordable IT solutions that align with your long-term goals. 

A managed IT services provider can help you deliver on that goal in various ways, such as: 

Reducing weaknesses in your defense 

An MSP will have multiple experts on hand who understand in-depth how to configure every element of your IT infrastructure separately and together to perform optimally. That knowledge of current best practices helps them conduct a thorough cybersecurity assessment of your ecosystem. They will first pinpoint any inefficiencies or neglected areas. Then, they will recommend solutions to bring your infrastructure up to speed to meet the demands of operating in your current threat landscape. 

Proactively monitoring and managing your threats 

A managed IT services provider can also help maintain operational integrity by analyzing your network’s traffic consistently, around the clock. Many providers will operate a 24/7 security operations center (SOC), giving you access to a team of dedicated IT professionals who use advanced intrusion detection systems to track and respond to potential security events in real time. 

The MSP will also take on the work of conducting regular updates and patches. This keeps your software and systems up to date so that your infrastructure has less weaknesses for a bad actor to exploit.  

Implementing advanced security technologies 

Managed IT services providers live and breathe cybersecurity and dedicate significant time to learning the latest and most effective tools to protect your organizational data.  

As a result, your provider will implement essential tools designed to keep unauthorized users out and maintain a secure working environment, like anti-ransomware, advanced email filtering systems, firewalls, endpoint and server protection, and multi-factor authentication.   

An MSP will also preventatively deploy measures to mitigate the damage if someone does enter your network, such as penetration testing, managed drive encryption, and reactive containment. 

Developing a robust incident response plan 

As the person in charge of keeping your operations flowing smoothly in your role as COO, you want to know that if an incident does happen, you can deal with it effectively to minimize harm.  

A managed IT services provider is well-versed in creating and executing an incident response plan. In advance, they will establish disaster communication protocols, map out recovery processes, and outline each staff member’s roles and responsibilities during the incident. Then, the MSP trains your team and conducts drills to help everyone feel ready. 

Facilitating smooth disaster recovery 

The provider will also proactively implement measures to keep your data available and intact during a loss-threatening disaster. This includes creating robust backup procedures and ideally storing copies of your data in a private off-site data center so that your critical business functions can continuously rely on the necessary resources to operate. 

The Benefits of Managed IT Services for Association and Nonprofit Cybersecurity 

Compared to relying on traditional IT management, taking a managed IT approach to their organization’s cybersecurity allows COOs to create a more comprehensive and cost-effective defense. 

  • Traditional IT support: This typically follows the “break-fix” model, which involves addressing specific issues after they occur. Unfortunately, tacking problems in a piecemeal way does not align with a broader strategy that keeps long-term organizational security goals in mind. 
  • Managed IT services: On the other hand, a managed IT services provider will implement a holistic “people, process, technology” framework that optimizes resources and can be easily scaled based on evolving needs. They focus on strategic IT management, meaning their experts go beyond addressing immediate concerns to constructing a resilient technological ecosystem that can support your operations amidst whatever risks and threats it faces.   

Curious to know how to find the right provider for your distinct requirements? For a list of questions to ask during your selection process, we have a free guide in our Resource Library titled “8 Questions to Ask Your IT Provider.”  

Partner With designDATA to Strengthen Your Cybersecurity 

Protecting your organization’s digital assets is a key priority for any Chief Operating Officer who wants to maintain productivity and meet operational goals on time, within budget, and to your desired quality. That’s why partnering with a managed IT services provider would be a smart strategic move. It allows you to adopt a comprehensive and strategic security approach, enhancing your protection and resilience. 

Don’t wait to strengthen your cybersecurity posture until after a data breach disrupts your operations! When you partner with designDATA today for our IT consulting for nonprofits, our experts will implement a comprehensive and proactive cybersecurity strategy that’s tailored to your specific needs. 

Contact designDATA to discuss how we can help you secure your digital future and provide a reliable technological foundation to sustain your operations. 

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The Current State of Cyber Insurance Coverage

The Current State of Cyber Insurance Coverage

The Current State of Cyber Insurance Coverage

DesignDATA
The Current State of Cyber Insurance Coverage

Three-minute read

Over the past decade, cyber insurance has grown from niche to mainstream in terms of insurance coverage for businesses and organizations. The instances of ransomware attacks, data breaches with extortion demands, and electronic financial crimes are increasing in leaps and bounds year over year. So much so that insurance providers have had to modify their coverage for these threats within their policies to reduce the amount they are paying out, raise premiums, or both. Organizations, large and small, are constantly at risk from bad actors trying to take advantage of weak security protocols, loose accounting practices, or unsuspecting employees. But what does cyber insurance cover and does your organization need to worry about it? 

We’ve organized a webinar to answer all your cyber insurance questions, but read on to learn about some of the topics we will cover in more detail on March 22nd.

Register for the Cyber Insurance Webinar

What Exactly is Cyber Insurance?

Most organizations have general liability insurance, and these policies can include provisions for some types of crime we may think of as cyber threats. But cyber insurance specifically covers costs associated with the most dangerous types of cyber threats that aren’t covered under general liability.  These include ransomware attacks, data breaches with extortion, funds transfer fraud and social engineering attacks. They can also provide access to valuable services (or pay for those services) such as data recovery costs, computer forensic investigations and a public relations crisis management firm. Unfortunately, not all policies are made equal. Forbes shared this insight surrounding the cyber insurance industry: “The growing demand, coupled with an increase in payouts, is driving the cyber insurance industry to rethink how it can mitigate its exposure.” This means that you’ll have to ask some questions of your policy provider to ensure you are fully protected. Insurance is a for-profit business and it is on you as the consumer to make sure you’re buying the coverage and services you’ll need and not overspending on the coverage you don’t.

Does Your Organization Need Cyber Insurance Coverage?

It seems like every week in the news you hear about another major corporation suffering from a data breach or ransomware attack.  While large companies likely have cyber insurance coverage, it’s not only enterprise-level organizations that need to worry. According to Nation Wide, “55% of small businesses have experienced a data breach and 53% have had multiple breaches.” Cyber insurance coverage is used as a way for companies to transfer a large portion of the risk to themselves against these threats and it is a smart precaution for organizations of all sizes.

How to Apply for Cyber Insurance

Some general liability insurance policies include data breaches or some forms of limited cyber coverage. So, the first place to start would be reviewing your existing General Liability Policy. Note which types of threats and losses are covered. You may want to extend your current coverage to include other areas where your organization lacks coverage, such as on a ransomware payment or a social engineering attack. It’s best to shop around and find the best options for your organization. If you’re not sure what the best choices are for your organization, you might need some help.  Ask your insurance broker if they (or someone they work with) is an expert in cyber insurance and can provide you with comprehensive coverage. You should also ask the individuals in charge of your IT security to review the types of coverage included in these policies and ask if all the relevant cybersecurity risks are covered.  You should also cross-reference your cyber policy with any other insurance policies you have that include crime coverage to ensure there are no types of crime that are missing from your policies (and that you don’t overlap too much — overlapping coverage is often less helpful than you think). When applying for cyber insurance coverage, you’ll be asked a lot of questions about your current IT security, your accounting practices and your past claims history.  Make sure you answer these questionnaires truthfully and completely.  While the insurance carrier won’t be auditing you during the policy purchasing phase, they definitely will audit you if you file a claim with them. If they determine you’re not doing something that you promised you were, they can use that as justification to deny your claim.

Types of Cyber Insurance Coverage

Below are some types of coverage that you want to ensure are included in your policy portfolio: 1. Data Breach Coverage Data breaches can come from anywhere, such as a simple phishing email that an employee opens. Suddenly, data exfiltration malware is surfing your network. Or maybe a vendor is compromised and an email comes from them that looks exactly like every other email but it actually has a malicious attachment. Maybe some of your employees aren’t practicing good password hygiene and bad actors guess passwords to your main databases. These breaches usually result in the theft of personal or client information. Cyber insurance policies will include services to help you recover from these breaches, like a Breach Hotline, forensic services to investigate the breach, crisis management and public relations help. These are all great benefits to have in the case of data theft. 2. Personal Client or Business Information Restoration Cyber insurance policies with this coverage will include paying for the labor and any special tools for recovery and/or replacement of lost or stolen data. Note that you need to have good backups for this coverage to work; the insurance company can’t wave a magic wand and put all of your data back on your systems. 3. Data Recovery Not only will a cyber insurance policy cover data recovery after a breach, but it will also bring you peace of mind knowing that all elements of the aftermath will be addressed. Providers will work to recover or recreate lost data; they will ensure any clients with compromised information are informed and, if necessary, compensated. Some policies even help victims of identity fraud restore their credit rating. 4. System Repair After a data breach, your computer systems may be damaged or destroyed. Malware and spyware can wreak havoc on your network settings and organization, not to mention finding all the information that has been compromised. Cyber insurance will cover the costs of system and hardware repairs, as well as repairing your data centers and network architecture.

Is Cyber Insurance Worth It?

In our opinion, yes, cyber insurance coverage is essential for any organization that relies on computers to process or store its data, make financial transactions, or manage their human resources. As technology advances and there is a wider attack surface for bad actors to exploit, every organization is at risk, no matter the size. If you’re uncertain about your current security being advanced enough to obtain insurance, we can help your business improve your security landscape. designDATA has decades of experience with IT security for businesses of all sizes. We can protect your mission-critical data, elevate your security network and ensure that you and your team are prepared for a review by a potential cyber insurance provider. This includes reviewing your current cyber insurance policy if you request it. We’ll ensure that your policy is best serving you, that you’re well-protected and that your policy includes all of the coverage you might need. Knowing that your cyber insurance policy is robust and up to par means you can work with less worry and more confidence. If you want to check the status of your cyber insurance and make sure your business is prepared for cyber incidents, request a free cyber insurance review now!
Request a Free Cyber Insurance Review

Be sure to register for our cyber insurance webinar on March 22nd from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST. We want to give our community the best information available about cyber insurance so you can ensure your business is protected.

Register for the Cyber Insurance Webinar

The Current State of Cyber Insurance Coverage Read More »

Work-From-Home Security: How to Close the Gap

Work-From-Home Security: How to Close the Gap

Work-From-Home Security: How to Close the Gap

DesignDATA
Work-From-Home Security: How to Close the Gap

Working from home has long been a dream for many office workers. Recent developments in cloud technology and video conferencing have enabled companies to offer part-time or permanent remote or hybrid options. Experts predicted this trend would increase, but no one expected a global pandemic to make the dream of working from home a reality for millions. With this shift comes the need to tend to work-from-home security.

The Shift to Remote and Hybrid Work

When COVID-19 hit, companies quickly pivoted to remote operations. No one knew how long the situation would last, and the initial focus was on maintaining worker productivity. The new way of working allowed for this, but it came with some challenges too. Remote work and hybrid work aren’t going away soon, and it is time for companies to get serious about work-from-home security.

These new ways of working have produced new pathways for cybercriminals to attack. Hackers and other malicious cyber actors are attacking remote and hybrid workers with three primary tactics:

Email & Phishing Scams

Hackers have taken advantage of the COVID-19 crisis to launch phishing attacks through email, texts and social media. Fraudulent emails are often disguised as helpful information from company leadership or as requests from the company for personal information.

Unsecured Wi-Fi Network Infiltration

Devices connected to unprotected home networks are an easy target for cybercriminals. They use this vulnerability to steal data and passwords and intercept sensitive messages.

Personal Computer Hacks

A large percentage of workers admit to using their personal or mobile devices for work-related purposes. Employees often transfer company data to personal devices for convenience or other reasons. This makes the data vulnerable to attacks — especially since many people don’t regularly install security updates on their devices, nor do those devices have all of the protective software that a business-owned device would.

What Can Business Leaders Do? 

Excellent cybersecurity starts with savvy leaders who understand the risks and implement smart policies to keep home offices secure. Here are three policies business leaders can introduce to set their companies up for work-from-home security success.

Disallow the Use of Personal Computers
Make sure all employees have company devices. Set the clear expectation that business data will never be transferred to or accessed from personal computers. Suppose bring-your-own-device is already part of your culture. In that case, you can work with your IT team to develop standards that users of personal devices need to adhere to, such as installing the organization’s antivirus or patching tools.

Ensure Data is Stored Securely in Business-Approved Repositories
Many employees have a personal Dropbox or other cloud-based data storage account. They also often store data on their local hard drives. Set up easy-to-use company data repositories and implement policies that prevent workers from using their personal accounts to store and share company data.

Require Relevant Cybersecurity Awareness Training
Train employees on relevant security topics such as “how to recognize phishing attacks,” “proper password management” and “company cybersecurity best practices.” Adequate training resources are available, and leaders should make sure their employees participate regularly.

Explore Our Free Cybersecurity Resource

What Can IT Teams Do?

While leaders set cybersecurity policies, IT teams make recommendations and do the technical work to implement the policies and procedures that secure company networks and data. Here are four technical strategies IT teams can use to help employees keep company data safe while working from home.

Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Passwords and physical devices are both relatively easy to steal. IT teams can prevent malicious actors from accessing company data by requiring more than one form of identification to access company devices and systems. MFA is essential for controlling access to publicly-accessible services, such as Microsoft 365.

Require a VPN Connection to Access Company Data & Applications

VPNs boost security by providing remote employees with a secure connection to the company network. Employees should only be able to access internal company data and applications through a VPN. Ensure the VPN is configured with network segmentation and profiles, so each department or external vendor account only has access to the servers or devices needed to do the job. For example, a marketing user’s VPN shouldn’t allow them to ping the accounting server. Also, an external vendor that uses the VPN to help manage a database application shouldn’t be able to access a file server through the VPN.

Use Remote Monitoring & Management Tools
These tools help IT teams monitor all devices used by ensuring employees are up to date on security patches and antivirus updates. This also allows helpdesk employees to assist remote users with requests directly.

Deploy a Business Password Management Tool
Employees are notorious for writing passwords on sticky notes or storing them in files on their desktops. Give workers a more secure and convenient option by providing a business-approved password management tool to help them create strong passwords and keep them organized. Talk to your IT service provider for recommendations.

What Can Employees Do?

All the best leaders and tech-savvy IT teams in the world can’t secure a home office if employees don’t cooperate. The following actions will ensure that employees do their part to maintain cybersecurity while working remotely.

Protect Your Home Wireless Network With a Password
This seems simple, but many employees either have open home wireless networks or have never changed the default password. You should set a strong password for your home Wi-Fi network and make sure not to post it where it can be easily seen.

Cooperate With Company Policies
Corporate cybersecurity policies about passwords, personal devices and document storage can seem burdensome or paranoid. However, they pose real risks to company data security, and there are consequences if employees don’t cooperate with the policies. Employees should be diligent in complying with all company cybersecurity policies and best practices.

Be Wary of Suspicious Emails and Attachments
Hackers and other cybercriminals often pose as managers or team members in emails, chats or meeting requests. Remote work and hybrid work make it more complicated and critical for employees to carefully identify the people they interact with. To maintain work-from-home security, employees must be rigorous about identifying everyone they meet or share company information with.

Want to Learn More?

The steps described in this article will help you get started in securing your employees’ home offices, but there’s a lot more to ensure your company has excellent cybersecurity.

Ready to take action?

Let’s connect. Book a call with us and we will introduce you to one of designDATA’s cybersecurity experts to get started.

Ready to take the next step? Let’s connect! Book a Security Assessment with one of our cybersecurity experts to see how we can help you.

Work-From-Home Security: How to Close the Gap Read More »

In-House or Outsourced IT

In-House or Outsourced IT? Discover What’s Best for Your Business

In-House or Outsourced IT? Discover What’s Best for Your Business

DesignDATA
In-House or Outsourced IT

Four-minute read

When it comes to managing IT operations, enterprise leaders will inevitably reach a point where they need to consider hiring an in-house IT team or outsourcing their IT operations to a managed services provider (MSP).

There are pros and cons to both options. From budgetary constraints to fear of relinquishing control or having to implement new policies and alien technology, there is a lot to consider when building your IT strategy and finding the right fit for your organization.

To help you in this process, we look at some benefits of working with an MSP versus hiring an in-house IT team.

A Dedicated Team of Experts

It takes a lot of time and effort to hire and manage a team of individuals who cover all aspects of your IT needs. When you work with an MSP, you gain access to a whole team of experts with diverse skill sets without the burden of directly managing staff. Information technology is their specialty, and they will be in tune with the latest tech developments that align with your business goals to ensure continuity, so you won’t need to worry about this. 

Some IT MSPs even have dedicated teams that work with specific industries or groups of clients. This means you gain a team of experts with industry familiarity, including your line of business apps (LOB apps), staff members and your organization’s unique implementations. A highlight of this relationship is quicker resolution times because a team of people works together to solve problems rather than escalating through multiple tiers of technicians. This MSP-client relationship also means fewer repeat issues because calls are not going to different people every time. 

More importantly, not all providers work like this. For example, some will outsource their frontline support to large call centers all over the world to reduce costs; often, support quality suffers in this scenario. So, it is crucial to ask how support is structured when considering an MSP.

Cost Considerations

While there may be an initial upfront cost (such as implementing new procedures or technology), outsourcing your IT operations can be more cost-effective in the long run. This depends on the pricing model the MSP offers. The primary billing styles are:

Hourly/Break-Fix 

You are billed at an hourly rate whenever you call in to have something fixed. Unfortunately, in this scenario, the provider is paid solely when there are issues and, thus, they may not be motivated to help you proactively avoid problems. 

Per User 

You pay a set price for a certain level of support for each staff member. This can include software (Microsoft 365), management and security tools (patching, anti-virus, etc.) and helpdesk support. Often, project work (replacing laptops, setting up new users, etc.) falls outside of what is included and would be billed on an hourly basis or at a set rate per project.

Per Device

This style is similar to per user, but you are billed per device. Again, project work would likely be billed at an hourly or set rate.

All Inclusive 

This model provides a truly predictable monthly bill that can be per-user, per-device or solution-based. These relationships begin with comprehensive tech assessments and technology roadmaps to ensure a truly all-inclusive contract is created. All future project considerations for the contract term would be identified upfront. Obviously, this is the most comprehensive and predictable option – but it can be a bit more expensive.

Proactive Problem-Solving

Monitoring and evaluating your systems can be a laborious task that an in-house team may not always have time for; this is where an MSP will prove extremely helpful. Ongoing and proactive monitoring of your systems and network is an essential element of what an MSP does. They ensure that issues are resolved before they become a significant concern for your organization, and you will have all the tools in place to eliminate instances of faults in your systems.  

Your MSP should constantly evaluate the best use of your technology and offer suggestions for continuous improvement. Ultimately, they should help you optimize your network, minimize staff and service downtime and prevent technical issues. 

Access to Technology

Information technology solutions are developing quickly, and it is a challenge to keep up to date on top of all your other priorities. With an MSP, you don’t need to worry about these details. You will have access to standardized technology and all the latest hardware and software you need to succeed. You will have a strategic advisor to help ensure your technology scales with your business. 

24/7 Assistance

While having an in-house IT team means you have access to in-person assistance when you need it, this is often confined to your usual operating hours and doesn’t extend to after hours, when issues often arise. Many MSPs offer around-the-clock technical support and access to a dedicated help desk whenever and wherever you need it. If 24/7 support is something you value, ensure your partner provides this.

Compliance and Security

An MSP will keep your security top of mind, always. You will have complete end-user protection to keep your organization running safely and smoothly, with ongoing monitoring and upgrades to your systems to ensure best cybersecurity practices and compliance. This should include regular training for staff to ensure your teams are well-equipped to recognize and avoid phishing scams, ransomware attacks and other cybersecurity risks. 

A worthwhile MSP will curate quality network security components that will suit your business needs and budget, so you can trust that your IT infrastructure will not let you down when you need it most. For example, designDATA recommends Sophos XGS Firewall for many enterprise-level use cases. 

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At designDATA,
we offer free productivity and cybersecurity training
to ensure your teams feel tech-savvy, efficient and productive.
Not a client? No worries!
Sign your team up for a free session today!

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Staff Management 

Working with an MSP means you won’t need to worry about all the staffing issues that go along with managing people. No more hiring and training new staff, worrying about staff retention and other HR headaches. No more needing to fill the gaps or worry about lack of assistance when critical members of the team are on vacation. You’ll always have access to support when you need it.  

Hybrid work has increased the complexity of business IT. Employees are more frequently working outside the office, so your IT partner needs to address this shift. Remote work can impact productivity and business security in many different ways, and using the right technology the right way can make a big difference to your business outcomes. 

Cloud technology has allowed SMBs to maintain and improve workflows while increasing productivity and business operations as the world of work goes through a seismic shift. Did you know that 48% of corporate data is stored in the cloud, and businesses that make the most out of cloud migration can expect benefits? Outsourcing migration projects can help your business realize those benefits much more quickly and easily.  

There are many pros to outsourcing your IT operations to a trusted partner, and it is worthwhile for enterprise leaders to consider if this is the best option for their technology needs.  

When you work with designDATA, we become an extension of your team. We start all client relationships with a comprehensive technology assessment. Moving forward, we remain faithful to a five-step communication cadence that includes weekly, monthly, quarterly, bi-yearly and annual reviews, which address valuable discussion points for both sides. Our team-based approach to partnerships means we become a friendly and reliable extension of your team.  

Let us ensure you have all the tools and technology to succeed and the end-user protection to keep your organization running securely. You’ll have more time to grow your business and concentrate on your strategic goals.  

Let’s Connect

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Sophos Firewall: The Next Generation of Network Safety

Sophos Firewall: The Next Generation of Network Safety

Sophos Firewall: The Next Generation of Network Safety

DesignDATA
Sophos Firewall: The Next Generation of Network Safety

hree-minute read

designDATA is committed to curating the best-of-breed products from our large array of industry-leading partners, so our clients can have the best network protection on the market today. Sophos Firewall is our go-to for SMBs and enterprise organizations because it is backed by high-performance security technology that centralizes, synchronizes and automates network monitoring in ways that are not offered by other vendors.

Below, we will explain three reasons why our partnership with Sophos gets our clients the network security they need to keep their organization safe.

So, What is a Firewall? 

First, let’s define our terms. You have probably seen movies and TV shows where firewalls are broken down with some quick keyboard mashing and an exclamation of “I’m in!” Luckily, designDATA and Sophos do not offer movie-quality network protection.

Firewalls are a combination of software and firmware that stop threats and unauthorized access to a company’s network. It scans all incoming and outgoing traffic using filtering rules to identify and detect threats. They are essential components of any company’s IT infrastructure.

Sophos Offers a Next Generation Firewall

A Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is not a single piece of technology but a group of technologies that work collaboratively to meet the network security needs of businesses operating in an era of heightened threats. Sophos XGS Firewall is an industry leading NGFW.

Today, the average business network has so many different entry points and varying kinds of users that a multi-layer approach is necessary.

What distinguishes an NGFW from less sophisticated firewalls is that they are paired with other security components, like intrusion detection and prevention systems, and they are Layer 7 firewalls.

Firewalls are ranked by the depth they filter data in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI). This model describes the seven layers that computer systems typically use to communicate and share data between networks.

What is special about Layer 7 firewalls is that they scan the contents, not just the IP addresses, of data packets that come into your network for malware and other cyber threats and allow for advanced traffic filtering rules.

Threats that could hamstring your ability to do business can pass through firewalls that are less stringent than NGFWs; that is why designDATA settles for nothing less than the highest standard of network security for our clients by using the Sophos Firewall.

Why Should You Care?

It is easy to get bogged down by technical information, so you can entrust designDATA to make these quality determinations on your behalf and convey its value succinctly. In simple terms, this firewall is the most advanced kind available today and is what SMBs and enterprise organizations need to protect their networks.

Sophos Central

This all-in-one dashboard allows the user to manage and observe all firewalls and interact with other Sophos security products on one screen for one price. They can access this unified managed console on any device to deploy, optimize and monitor multiple firewalls, gather security insights and neutralize threats.

Why Do You Need This?

Centralization means increased productivity. It allows your MSP to save you time and money by not jumping between different portals, dashboards and services and using more of their billable hours productively meeting your network security needs.

Why Do You Need This?

Synchronized Security 

This advanced, pioneering approach to reactive containment means firewalls, endpoints and servers synchronize and communicate to share real-time information. This patented Security Heartbeat™ shares network and endpoint data to automatically detect and respond to stop threats.

Sophos offers the only network security solution capable of completely identifying the user and source of a network intrusion to quarantine them and shut off their access to the broader network.

This advanced form of zero-touch incident response reduces your exposure to threats while freeing up time and resources to invest in other aspects of business or IT infrastructure.

If you fear losing the human touch, don’t worry, as the Sophos Managed Threat Response (MTR) team is ready 24 hours a day to hunt, detect and respond to cyber threats. Real breathing security experts backed by machine learning are available as a fully managed service. Around-the-clock expert help backing you up when no one else can is yet another reason Sophos is a vendor that’s hard to beat.

Get Support Against Cyber Threats

The big takeaway here is that the Sophos Firewall offers an exclusive bit of technology that gives your network an extra layer of high-performance protection that is not available from any other vendor. The partnership between designDATA and Sophos allows you to use this technology and get the peace of mind to focus on other parts of your business and not constantly look over your shoulder for the next business-ending cyber threat.

Talk with us today about how designDATA with our friends at Sophos can keep you safe, secure and productive with world-class cybersecurity solutions.

Let’s Connect

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Do You Have to Manage Your Managed IT Service Provider

Do You Have to Manage Your Managed IT Service Provider?

Do You Have to Manage Your Managed IT Service Provider?

DesignDATA
Do You Have to Manage Your Managed IT Service Provider

Four-minute read

As an increasing number of businesses shift to hybrid work models, receiving efficient information technology (IT) services has never been more crucial. A managed IT service provider (IT MSP) can ensure your employees are working efficiently and securely – no matter where they’re situated.  

Because the relationship between an organization and its IT provider has become so essential, it has never been more important for businesses to feel like they’re in good hands. Unfortunately, not all MSPs offer effective communication to ensure clients understand the value of their services. Moreover, it is not the client’s job to implement and prioritize effective communication between both teams – it is the managed IT service provider’s job.  

We believe it is incumbent upon MSPs to put in place a clear communication cadence with their clients concerning IT priorities. Below we outline our top five keys to effective client communication and how a team-based approach can help ensure everyone feels informed and confident about the partnership. But first, let’s discuss today’s customer satisfaction landscape as it concerns MSPs.  

Customer Satisfaction and MSPs  

Net Promoter Score (NPS) is a significant client satisfaction benchmark in B2B services. On average, IT service providers scored 44% in 2022, but in the six years before the COVID-19 pandemic, the average NPS for a managed service provider went as high as 24% in 2019 and as low as 11% in 2015. The distinct rise in NPS can be explained by the fantastic work IT service providers did to make the transition to remote work possible during the pandemic. Still, service providers must continue to deliver to maintain this goodwill. 

It is important to note that the NPS standard for excellent service is 50%, and according to Datto, the average MSP has a score of 18%, which places them lower than similar industries.  

designDATA does not settle for the status quo. We want our customers to get the maximum value for their time, money, and resources, and we believe a large part of making this a reality for our clients is communication.  

designDATA’s Five Keys to Effective Communication 

We believe that a clear communication cadence benefits the client and the managed IT service provider. It allows us to meet our client’s needs better, and the client can see the demonstrable value of the services we provide. This cadence involves: 

01. Weekly Tactical Meetings  

A Program Manager (think fractional IT manager) prepares an agenda and meets with your team to review ongoing services issues, schedule and communicate any downtime or maintenance, and address any concerns that are top of mind.  

02. Proactive Priority of the Month 

Our clients need us to be proactive rather than reactive, so designDATA prioritizes essential items often left at the bottom of the pile indefinitely by other MSPs.  

03. Quarterly Benchmarking 

We perform quarterly assessments of your IT environment in five key areas: productivity, cybersecurity, infrastructure management, cloud service enablement, and business continuity. We compare the effective use of technology to our other clients.  

04. Bi-Annual Business Reviews 

This is where we meet with non-IT stakeholders. We have an executive-level discussion about the accomplishments of the last two quarters and the plans for the next two. These meetings also cover budgetary impacts, the possibility of adding emerging technology to their tech stack, and an analysis of how we can add more value to their business.  

05. Yearly Initiative Rankings 

This is where we discuss more broad-level critical success factors. We use a project ranking matrix that scores initiatives on the most significant impact they have on the business to prioritize what is most important. We rank recommended IT initiatives according to the client’s business criteria.  

Do Your Research – Then Purchase 

The best spending is done wisely and carefully. Before you start shopping, ensure you have a solid idea of the needs and wants of your organization’s personnel and its clients and what your systems require to meet or exceed those metrics. Then, purchase consciously to make sure you can meet these needs.  

A thorough assessment will give you an idea of your organization’s priorities, with the most important upgrades for best performance (and timely resolution of present or future vulnerabilities) coming first, followed by the “nice to have” items. 

Enjoying Exceptional Communication with Your MSP  

While the five-step communication cadence we have outlined above is incredibly valuable, an additional way to ensure all parties feel informed and happy with the partnership is by prioritizing a team-based approach.  

To ensure our relationship with our clients is constructive, we provide a team-based approach to help-desk service, meaning your staff will enjoy familiar engineers whenever they need support. Our team-based approach also means that everyone in your organization has a dedicated point of contact, creating comfort and consistency. This is something that we encourage all organizations to implement as it provides clients with the experience of having an in-house IT team, all while leveraging the benefits of working with a comprehensive outsourced MSP. 

No matter the MSP you partner with, you should not feel like you’re managing them. We pair our customers with a dedicated client team that knows you, your environment, and your business criteria so well that we feel like an extension of your team.  

Let’s Connect

Do You Have to Manage Your Managed IT Service Provider? Read More »

op-IT-Priorities-for-the-Professional-Services-Industry

Top IT Priorities for the Professional Services Industry

Top IT Priorities for the Professional Services Industry

DesignDATA
op-IT-Priorities-for-the-Professional-Services-Industry

our-minute read

 Professional services firms (PSFs) bring their expert knowledge daily to help their clients meet their business goals. To do this, they need excellent IT support to meet the increasingly digital demands of a constantly changing organizational landscape.

IT is an opaque world, so it is hard for outsiders to determine their IT priorities. Below are three important items a professional services executive needs from an IT provider.

CybersecurityCybersecurity

When PSFs offer their expertise to clients, they also promise to protect sensitive information, trade secrets, and third-party data. Part of their core business, regardless of industry, involves exchanging information. A professional’s distinguishing characteristic is that they have agency and a fiduciary duty to act in their client’s best interests.

In the digital age, a lack of cybersecurity can compromise those responsibilities, damage a firm’s reputation, and erode client trust. Cybersecurity should be a top priority, so you can protect yourself and your clients and create the best customer experience possible. 

Companies want investments in their IT priorities and cloud services to have a significant ROI for productivity and revenue. However, overlooking cybersecurity can affect a company’s long-term outlook far worse than a few lackluster quarters. According to Forbes, cybercrime cost U.S. businesses more than $6.9 billion in 2021, and yet only 50% have a cybersecurity plan in place. 

These two factors can work together to create an unhealthy situation for PSFs. For example, a cyberattack could steal financial information from accounting firms and expose their clients and third parties to extortion, fraud, and identity theft. Being a source of data leaks could lead to legal liability and devastating damage to your reputation.

There are ways for professionals to meet their IT goals and protect themselves and their clients from hackers. The most effective approach is to outsource your cybersecurity. An IT Managed Services Provider (MSP) can identify and mitigate security risks, create data loss and disaster recovery plans, and provide security awareness training to make “human firewalls” as human error is an often exploited vulnerability.

A Team-Based Approach to IT

A Team-Based Approach to IT

You need to invest most of your energy and funds into providing the most satisfactory customer service possible to your clients in a highly competitive market. Your investment in tech support and cloud services needs to be as unique as your company. One size does not fit all. 

You do not want to be oversold tools your team does not need of which you cannot afford. An IT provider should work with you to create a custom host of technology services that works with your business strategy, not a prepackaged set of IT solutions that do not suit professional services. 

There are obvious benefits to having an in-house IT team. They are dedicated employees who are enmeshed in your company culture, know your IT priorities intimately, and provide onsite tech support when problems arise. Yet, not every PSF can have an entire team not directly generating revenue. 

That is why it is beneficial to find an IT MSP that will get to know you and your company thoroughly – one dedicated to achieving your business objectives. This is one reason designDATA prioritizes a team-based approach to managed services. We want to ensure our clients are not constantly chatting with new, unfamiliar support staff. Having a team that is closely integrated into the client’s organization also helps us proactively find and solve issues. As well, this approach creates the experience of having an in-house IT team without any of the drawbacks, confirming that your investment is worthwhile.

Emerging Technology and Digital TransformationEmerging Technology and Digital Transformation

Your firm is here to stay, but technology and the world of work are ever-changing, so you owe it to your business, clients, and employees to continuously fold in emerging business technology and new ways of working into your digital repertoire.

Professional service executives are already leaders in their industry because they took exhaustive steps to master their profession, so we recommend seeking an IT provider who is equally as keen to take your technology environment to the next level. 

MSPs are more than just tech support; they can be total game-changers for your productivity levels and business processes while helping you set and meet your IT priorities. For example, without IT leading the charge, the transition to hybrid work would not have been possible. 

Digital transformation does not need to be radical to be effective. For example, using a single sign-on integration (SSO) can save your team time and aggravation by only using one account to access your digital business and tech services. 

Cybersecurity, a team-based approach, and innovative and proactive technology practices are essential factors for professional services firms considering an IT partner. If you are just beginning your search, check out our resource library filled with valuable eBooks, infographics, and videos to help you make an informed decision. 

Looking for a quality managed IT provider? 

designDATA is an MSP that has helped companies stay secure and efficient while achieving IT excellence for over 30 years. We are eager to help professional services organizations reach new heights by keeping their business technology running smoothly. Use your billable hours to help your clients, not troubleshoot technical problems.

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Why MDM is Essential for Managing Apple Devices in the Workplace

Why MDM is Essential for Managing Apple Devices in the Workplace

Why MDM is Essential for Managing Apple Devices in the Workplace

DesignDATA
Why MDM is Essential for Managing Apple Devices in the Workplace

Four-minute read

Scooch over, Microsoft – Apple has entered the cubicle.

A few years ago, Macs were a rarity in offices; most professional software was designed to work on Windows machines, giving them a considerable advantage in the business market. Now, everything has changed; iPhones, iPads, and Macbooks are ubiquitous, and for good reason!

People love the Mac operating system and are familiar with how Apple devices work. Apps and business tools are increasingly Mac friendly, and Apple has worked hard to develop and highlight features that boost productivity and simplify IT management.

While implementing Apple products for businesses has been fantastic for boosting creativity, flexibility, and productivity, it’s presented a new challenge for IT teams. These teams must stay on top of managing a plethora of devices while keeping data secure and employees connected.

Mobile Device Management (MDM) is a must-have tool for an IT team to succeed; whether you’re a small or large business, you must implement the right MDM solution when using Apple products.

Let’s take a look at why an MDM is critical for your business’s management and success.

1. Security

MDM ensures that your mobile device is secure. In today’s world, mobile devices not only enable employees to work from anywhere but also open up new avenues for potential cyber attacks. MDM serves as your team’s first line of defense, maintaining company data security across all mobile devices.

Apple devices are equipped with a host of built-in security features such as FileVault encryption, Gatekeeper software verification, and TouchID. However, these features can be easily disabled, leaving your devices vulnerable. A robust MDM solution ensures these security features are not only enabled but also functioning correctly across all devices. It allows you to block specific software, disable camera access, distribute security patches, and mandate the regular creation of complex passcodes by employees.

Moreover, MDM provides a safety net for those inevitable instances when mobile devices are lost by employees or stolen. In such scenarios, your MDM solution steps in to locate the lost device, locking it until it’s recovered or remotely locking it and wiping all data, ensuring your essential data remains protected.

2. Productivity

Employee productivity is for business owners what security is for IT teams: top priority.  With cloud-based applications and mobile devices, people can work from anywhere.  This results in increased flexibility and higher productivity, but only if employees can access the data and applications they need.

MDM solutions allow your employees to securely access your company network, data, and applications from anywhere, including custom apps that may not be available in Apple’s App Store. MDM identifies critical applications and deploys them to your users.

Plus, you can even create lists of applications specific to certain job roles, departments, or users and allow access to those who need them. In this way, employees have access to the applications they need without being overwhelmed by the ones they don’t.

If an employee needs a new application, MDM makes it quick and easy to grant access and push the application to the correct device. This is quickly done through custom settings in the App Store. As well, MDM makes it simple to share important information between mobile device users. Thus, implementing a robust MDM solution is one of the best ways to foster productivity in your company’s remote work environment.

3. MDM simplifies device management

Whether your company provides Apple devices to employees or lets them use their own through a BYOD program, managing every device can be challenging.

MDM simplifies this process and offers workflows that let your team quickly set up new devices, enroll new users, reset old devices, install updates, and troubleshoot IT issues.  You can monitor devices to make sure that policies are being followed and employees are avoiding risky cyber-behaviour. You can also control access to company networks so that only approved devices can connect.

A good MDM solution allows you to monitor your devices remotely. You can quickly push settings, updates, and IT fixes to devices using over-the-air (OTA) distribution, and your team can detect issues as they arrive, having solutions already prepared.

Top-notch MDM solutions also allow you to implement time-saving practices like “zero-touch” deployment and custom scripting that enable you to customize your devices and modify account permissions as needed.

Truly – the time and cost savings realized from simplified device management are priceless.

Choosing Your MDM Solution

It’s clear that MDM is critical for managing Apple products; now to choose which solution is right for you. There are many MDM solutions on the market, and it’s integral to choose one that works with your priorities. Consider things like value, device compatibility, security features, application management, and support features.

If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed, don’t worry. We are here to help.

Visit our resource page for additional information like comprehensive guide on Apple IT support for macOS and iOS.

For tailored support and IT solutions optimized for Apple products, connect with our experts. We’ll guide you to the ideal MDM solution to secure and enhance productivity while managing devices with ease.

Ready to elevate your Apple ecosystem?

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5 Reasons Why Jamf Software is the Best Apple RMM Solution

5 Reasons Why Jamf Software is the Best Apple RMM Solution

5 Reasons Why Jamf Software is the Best Apple RMM Solution

DesignDATA
5 Reasons Why Jamf Software is the Best Apple RMM Solution
Four-minute read You’re not alone in feeling like your IT team is scrambling to keep up with the rapid pace of digital transformation. Operations across the world have shifted dramatically recently due to technological developments and world events. Data has moved to the cloud, and employees are, quite literally, all over the place. While these changes may be overwhelming, there are many benefits. For example, employees can access company networks with their mobile devices through cloud-based applications, enabling them to work from anywhere. Productivity has never been higher! However, IT teams face a tough challenge: they need to stay on top of managing a plethora of devices while keeping data secure and employees connected. Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) is a must-have tool for an IT team to succeed. There’s no shortage of RMM solutions to choose from, but it’s crucial to carefully evaluate what’s out there so that you end up with a solution that suits your business. This is especially important if you have a Mac environment because not all RMM solutions have features compatible with Apple device operating systems. Good news – we’ve curated all of the essential information you need as a Mac user to choose the right RMM. Our Apple experts have researched the top RMM solutions and, based on this analysis, one solution stands out as the clear winner for managing Mac environments: Jamf software.

Need more support with your business’ Apple infrastructure? We can help! Explore our Enterprise IT Solutions for Apple and get back to working securely and confidently.

Explore Our Managed Services for Apple

Here are our top five reasons why Jamf software is the best RMM solution for your Mac environment:

1. Apple-Specific Focus Enables Seamless Integration

Jamf software focuses exclusively on managing Apple devices. Therefore, they can offer better support and features to IT teams operating in Mac environments. As well, because of Jamf’s Apple exclusivity, its integration with Apple products is seamless.

Plus, Jamf offers zero-day support for macOS and iOS updates and security releases. This means that your business starts benefiting from new features and upgraded security on the day of its release.

Jamf also integrates easily with Apple Business Manager, allowing you to set and enforce roles, privileges and security policies using a single, easy-to-use interface. Your IT team can purchase and distribute apps and content in bulk, ensuring your employees have what they need. You can even automate real-time updates to all your apps.

2. Enterprise App Store Guarantees Access to Mission-Critical Applications

The Enterprise App Store is an outstanding feature of Jamf’s RMM solution for Macs. It enables you to create a custom app store so employees can download, install and update all mission-critical apps.

Jamf also allows you to create custom profiles for the app store so that teams or employees see only the apps they need. For example, engineers need not scroll through marketing apps and HR team members won’t have to sort through apps for technical calculations. Each sector will see the apps that pertain to them.

This app store can also display both third-party apps and programs developed in-house; a tool called Jamf Pro Composer helps your team create and deploy custom apps, software and settings.

Lastly, the Enterprise App Store includes a self-service feature that lets end-users troubleshoot and manage their own devices without submitting a help desk ticket.

3. Zero-Touch Features Simplify Device Management and Support

Zero-touch deployment is another one of the benefits of Jamf’s integration with Apple.  By integrating your device management and procurement processes, Jamf allows you to remotely set up devices when you order them so that they arrive ready for immediate use. If your company has embraced “bring your own device” (BYOD), Jamf offers a self-enrollment feature that lets users enroll and configure their devices.

Jamf’s zero-touch focus doesn’t stop with deployment. The easy-to-use interface and remote management capabilities allow IT teams to monitor devices, troubleshoot issues and reconfigure settings without ever touching the actual device. It’s time to say “so long” to dropping off your device at some shop for updates or repairs!

4. Customization That Meets Your Distinct Needs

Every company has different RMM needs, and Jamf is dedicated to providing the features and support to make RMM work for you. They recognize that small businesses may not have the same requirements as large enterprises, so they offer three Mac management solutions: Jamf Pro, Jamf Now and Jamf School.

Once you’ve chosen the Jamf software RMM solution that’s right for you, you have many options for customization. For example, you can use scripting to develop custom configuration profiles, and your IT team can set up custom smart groups based on criteria like device type, department and job role. These smart groups can be used for custom monitoring, configurations and reporting.

We’ve already mentioned that Jamf Composer allows you to create and deploy custom apps. All these features combined provide more flexibility than any other RMM for Mac.

5. Reporting Enables Data-Driven Decision Making

Finally, Jamf stands out from competitors because of its robust reporting capabilities.

Your team needs to see what’s going on with your devices to succeed at RMM. Thankfully, Jamf offers a capable and flexible dashboard feature that you can customize to showcase specific information like smart groups, policies, configuration profiles, software licenses and device types.

These dashboards allow you to stay informed about your devices and analyze data to identify problems. You’ll have all the information you need to make data-driven decisions about changes and policies for your Macs.

Sure, other RMM solutions can help you manage your Mac environment; however, none of them can match the capabilities of Jamf. With Jamf, your users have a better experience. At the same time, your IT team gets all the tools they need to manage your remote devices, maintain security and support productivity, which is why we recommend Jamf to all our Apple-using clients.

Want to Learn More?

We’ve only scratched the surface of what Jamf can do as your Mac RMM solution. If you want to learn more about how Jamf can meet your RMM needs, contact our Apple support experts. We would love to chat with you about Jamf and other solutions to help you manage your business.

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