According to a recent Small Business Administration survey 88% of business owners feel they aren't protected and that their company is vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Many feel they can't afford an in-house IT team or they don't know where to turn.
Leaving your business vulnerable isn't the answer. You can get the support you need but should you go with internal or external IT services? Here's what you should know to find the best fit for your company.
Internal IT services mean that you employ staff to handle your technology data and cybersecurity needs.
The benefit of having an IT department in the office is that you have more control over your data procedures and staff. You're also aware of how the IT teams handle that data including backups and recovery. If you're in the healthcare or finance industries you understand the importance of data security.
If you need to implement any changes you can contact your employees quickly to get started.
Your IT department also knows your brand well. They understand all aspects of your business including how it runs how much time it can take to implement changes and what's expected of them.
The drawbacks include the fact hiring an IT team can get costly. Also If you need more staff as your business grows it isn't easy to hire a new employee. The hiring and training process takes time and a lot of money.
There's also the chance that your IT employee may not be around at all times. Maybe they're sick one day or on vacation when something goes wrong.
When you outsource IT services you're relying on another company to handle your technology and security needs. Although this might feel like giving up control there are many advantages to outsourcing the IT department.
For one you don't have to hire a dedicated IT staff. Not all companies have the budget for an in-house IT department.
Outsourcing IT services means you won't have to pay for benefits insurance training etc. Costs to outsource to an IT company are generally lower than hiring an MSP as well.
Outsourced IT services are also easy to scale so they grow as your business does. Simply call your representative and upgrade your service.
The disadvantage of outsourcing your IT needs is that you have less control. The IT team also has access to sensitive company data. However this shouldn't be an issue if you work with a professional and reputable company.
There are pros and cons to internal and external IT services. However we recommend outsourcing your IT needs as it's cost-effective and can grow with your company.
You also choose the services and level of support that you need including managed IT or co-managed IT.
If you're a small or medium-sized business interested in outsourcing IT companies in Plymouth Meeting PA we've got your back. Contact us to learn more and get started protecting your business today.