Protecting Your Business in Case of Death

It would be a shame and an unfortunate waste if a business cannot continue operating after the owner’s death. Fortunately, we have ways to circumvent this, beginning with a highly efficient thing called digital estate planning. When protecting your business, this is an effective way to prepare before death.

There are a few scenarios where the business can continue past the owner’s death. For example, we have sole proprietorships and traditional partnerships, where the dissolution automatically happens when the owner dies. But for many other cases, digital estate planning plays a role in ensuring the business will continue running under new management in the coming years.

Why Protecting Your Business & Digital Estate Planning Is Important

The main reason digital estate planning is now a critical element for businesses is that most business transactions and operations are processed digitally. Correspondence, marketing, and sales all happen online. This means that the wealth of a typical business’s assets is now digital. That is why protecting your business digitally is now also crucial.

Now, if the owner dies, and he is the only one with access to these digital assets, the people left in the office will have a huge problem. How can the successors of the business continue running the business when they can’t even log into the accounts in the first place?

As the business owner, when protecting your business it is your job to create a digital estate plan so that in case anything happens to you, or even if you are just temporarily incapacitated or unable to run the business for whatever reason, the person who is going to take your place would have all the data to gain access and to run the business.

How to Create a Digital Estate Plan

It might sound difficult, but creating a digital estate plan is straightforward when protecting your business. It is like making a will but for the digital assets of your business. You will begin by taking an inventory of all your digital assets. Make a list and make sure that everything is included. Anything that is in digital form should be on the list and must be planned for accordingly. This includes documents, databases, images, videos, login information for accounts relevant to the business, and so on.

After completing your list, think carefully about what you want to happen to them. In your digital estate plan, name the person you wish to entrust with each asset. Explicitly state what you want them to do to it, how you want the assets managed, and so on. Each appointee should receive a copy of all the login names and passwords needed to fulfill their responsibility.

Importance of Password Management in Protecting Your Business

This brings us to the crucial aspect of password management in digital estate planning. Turning over a list of passwords to your would-be successor is not enough when protecting your business. You must guarantee these passwords are current. Giving them a list of defunct login information is as good as giving them nothing.

The easiest way to ensure this is to use a password manager: a software application that securely keeps all your login names, passwords, and other sensitive information. Each time you change a password, which should be periodically, update the records accordingly.

Be Ready with a Well-Organized Digital Estate Plan

Having a business, you can pass on to your loved ones is a huge accomplishment. But it is just as important that you should be able to pass it on with no hitches. That is why as early as now, you should already start protecting your business and prepare a digital estate plan that will enable your loved ones to take over just as you wanted, after your death.

To help you make some of these business decisions, we’ve created two helpful downloadable infographics: A Digital Estate Planning Checklist and a Password Cheat Sheet. Pass these two resources around the office so everyone is up to speed on these important topics.

Call us any time you are ready to take the next step!

How Do MSP Mergers and Acquisitions Impact Your Business?

We have seen a significant rise in the number of MSPs and solution providers selling out to larger corporations. They are also selling to hedge funds in recent years. This trend of MSP mergers has been going on around the world. With this trend, there is no sign that it is going to turn in a different direction anytime soon.

Why Are Big Corporations Buying out MSP Companies?

Large IT companies are actively gunning for mergers or acquisitions because the MSP business is currently highly lucrative. The market is currently at a value of $223 billion and said it will reach $330 billion by 2025. Corporations recognize the strong growth potential of the MSP industry, but they don’t necessarily want to start a new company themselves. Indeed, why build one from scratch when MSP Mergers can find many MSPs out there willing to sell?

Also, these corporations are banking on the illusion of choice and keeping their current customers. They take control of multiple MSP companies while retaining their original names. People mistakenly believe that they have a wide selection of MSPs to choose from when, in reality, the majority of them belong to the same conglomerate.

Take Accenture, for instance. In 2023 alone, they will have acquired 8 different IT provider companies. It appears to the public that these MSPs are industry rivals. In truth, they are all bringing in revenue for Accenture. Trailing at a close second is The 20 MSP, which has already acquired seven MSPs so far this year.

Why Are MSP Owners Choosing to Sell Their Companies?

From the MSP owner’s perspective, selling the company could indeed be the best course of action considering the situation at hand. The most common reasons that they cite for doing so are burnout, health, retirement, partner disputes, or shifting to a different line of business.

It does seem like a win-win situation for everyone until you take a look at how the situation impacts the client companies of the MSP that has just been bought. Yes, we are talking about businesses like yours. Where does it leave you if a sizable corporation suddenly acquires the MSP you had chosen to work with?

Effects of MSP Mergers on Client Businesses

IT companies have their valid reasons for selling out; oftentimes, it has to do with money. But regardless of what good it might have done for them, the acquisition typically leaves their clients in the lurch. Of course, the big corporation promises to take care of all the clients in the same way that they have always been taken care of. But the truth is that everything will change, and not necessarily for the better.

As a business owner, you rely heavily on your MSP to take care of your digital operations. You’ve probably been staying with them all this time because they provide excellent service. You are happy with the IT guy working for you, and their location is near you.

But what if you wake up one day and everything is different? It is pretty normal for service quality to drop after an acquisition. You might go from being a highly VIP client to just one of the hundreds or even thousands.

With the change of management, you will likely have a completely new IT team that did not work with you before. But what’s even worse is that these professionals are usually miles away from your physical location and can only serve you remotely. They can go to you but their travel expenses will go on your bill. That is something you do not want at all with MSP Mergers!

What to Do If Your MSP Is Getting Bought Out By MSP Mergers

There are two main choices you can make once you find out your MSP is up for acquisition. One is to stay with them and hope things settle down quickly. In all likelihood, the new owners will want to hear your feedback because, after all, they want to keep your business. Take this opportunity to air your concerns and give them time to make adjustments to better serve your needs.

Now, if things have changed to the point that you are no longer satisfied with the service, you can always switch to a new provider. Despite the continuing M&A trends in the IT industry, there are still plenty of local MSPs that have not sold out.

Check out a few and see what else is out there. Here at our company, we would be very happy to help you sort things out, discuss your needs, and maybe even provide you with the services that you are looking for. Check out the MSPs that big businesses have acquired just in 2023. It will surprise you if you find out where these large corporations’ locations are. It’s no wonder why small businesses are suffering from acquisitions. 2023 MSP Acquisitions

And if your agreement confuses you and want to know how you can get out of it, call us today, and let’s talk!

The Role of Current Technology in Business Growth and Expansion

Business growth and expansion entail a lot of work in all the different areas—logistics, finance, research, and technology. Technology plays a key role because practically all aspects of business rely on it.

In our last few blogs, we have been talking about some benefits that small business owners can get out of integrating the right technology into their business, especially during expansion, downsizing, or switching from a remote work setup to a hybrid work environment.

Attracting and Retaining Talent for Business Growth and Expansion

how to attract large enterprise talent

For any SMB, attracting and keeping enterprise talent is quite an achievement. But, of course, it is rarely easy to do because most competent professionals prefer to work with global companies that offer better perks and higher pay.

Using technology, you can not only pique the interest of top candidates for your open positions, but you can also convince them to stay for your business growth and expansion.

These strategies, as described in our blog on Week 1 called “How Small Businesses Attract Large Enterprise Talent”, can range from simply making the hiring process pleasant or partnering with local community groups to something more proactive like offering a hybrid work environment that is much more attractive to potential new employees.

Installing Self-Help Kiosks

Self-Help Kiosks

In week 2, we covered one of the most popular technology trends for business growth and expansion. Our blog post entitled“Self-Help Kiosk vs. Human—What Are the Pros and Cons?” he self-help kiosk has been appearing in a growing range of industries. We can find them in fast-food restaurants, bus terminals, banks, and more.

We also covered how these kiosks can help business growth and expansion. especially as remote workers switch to working in person or in a hybrid way. Some benefits we covered were contactless transactions, higher profits, faster service, and better connections. We also discussed the special significance of self-help kiosks in a hybrid workplace, where companies make do with a much lower employee population in the office.

Better Customer Service

How Your IT Company Affects Customers

Technology and customer service are two things people would not automatically relate to each other. But as you will quickly realize after reading our week 3 blog, “For Better or For Worse: How Your IT Company Affects Your Customers”, IT and customer service are closely connected.

Ensuring that the quality of your customer service is up to par is vital regardless of the work setup you have in the office. Whether your employees work from home, in the office, or a combination of both, be sure they always give great customer service. This can help improve your business growth and expansion.

With the help of a reliable IT provider, this should not be a problem. For example, we offer IT services that give your clients a better experience. Some services that we would be happy to provide for you are multichannel communications, live chats or chatbots, exemplary CRM software, personalized offer recommendations, self-service portals, advanced POS systems, and a trusty remote-to-hybrid system.

Choosing the Right MSP for Business Growth and Expansion

As you can see, technology is vital in many aspects of business growth and expansion. This step means one thing: you need to choose the right IT provider because they can make or break your business!

Fortunately, you don’t have to look too hard. We have the experience, expertise, and passion to provide you with the best IT service you require. We are very good at what we do but don’t take our word for it. Call us today, and we will show you what we can do to help take your business growth and expansion to the next level of success!

For Better or For Worse: How Your IT Company Affects Your Customers

How Your IT Company Affects Customers is very important to keep your business operations in good hands. Most processes today rely on technology, so you need a provider to keep up with the times and ensure everything goes smoothly.

But do you realize how your choice of IT company also affects your customers? The level of customer satisfaction might be one of the most revealing gauges of how efficient your IT company is.

How Your IT Company Helps Affect Your Delivery of Better Service to Customers

Although your IT provider does not have direct contact with your customers, the tasks they take on influence the quality of service you can provide to your clients. Here are some examples of how your IT company can enable you to deliver better customer service.

Multichannel Communications

Accessibility and convenience are vital factors for better customer service. When a customer wants to get in touch with you for any reason, they should be able to do so through multiple options. Make sure your IT provider offers many communication channels, including email, live chat, text, social media, and SMS.

How Your IT Company’s 24/7 Customer Response Affects Customers

When customers reach out to you, they expect timely responses. Of course, it wouldn’t be too practical to have someone come in to answer calls in the wee hours of the morning. You can use chatbots to handle customer concerns outside of regular business hours.

Customer Relationship Management Software

Employing a CRM or customer relationship management software gives your customers a much more pleasant experience. Why? Because with it, you don’t have to keep asking them to repeat the same information every time they get re-routed to a different agent, which can be extremely frustrating.

Faster and More Efficient Transactions 

Customers dislike waiting in long lines at the grocery checkout, when ordering fast food, and so on. There are many solutions that an IT company can provide for all these situations, like better POS systems, automated order-taking, self-service portals, and many more. Incorporating these features into your business will lead to much better customer service.

How Your IT Company Personalized Recommendations Affect Customers

Advertising emails or marketing offers sent to potential customers at random can be very annoying. Most of the time, they will just get ignored or deleted. With the help of an IT company, you can easily tailor recommendations to your target market’s specific needs and wants. This increases the chances of them taking notice and taking you up on your offer.

Backup and Disaster Recovery (BDR)

The risk of online attacks is very prevalent these days. In addition, there is also the danger of other disasters that can lead to system failures and data loss. Such events can compromise the safety of customers when their data is exposed.

To keep this from happening, you should have a proper backup and disaster recovery plan in place, courtesy of your IT provider. With a reliable BDR, your customer’s data is protected. This will give them peace of mind, and they will have no qualms about putting their business in your hands.

Find the Right IT Company that can affect Better Service to Customers

Your IT provider can provide a variety of services for various aspects of your business. But in the end, all of it has something to contribute toward better customer service. So if you want to draw more customers and give them the most pleasant experience, you must establish a long-term partnership with a reliable IT company.

Here at our company, we have mastered optimizing business processes so that they lead to the best customer service possible. We can assist you with anything from communication and sales transactions to transitions to a Hybrid workplace. By calling us, you can give your customers the most pleasant experience, and your business can enjoy continued growth and success.

Self-Help Kiosks vs. Human—The Pros and Cons

Self-help kiosks are becoming more commonplace by the day. There used to be a time when a business would consider it extremely high-tech if they had touchscreen monitors installed. But today, you can find these kiosks in many establishments.

A self-help kiosk is an interactive screen that gives information or provides a service with a simple touch. They are extremely versatile and used in a wide range of applications. They are popular in fast-food chains, bus stations, and banks.

What Are the Pros of Self-help Kiosks?

There are plenty of benefits to self-help kiosks, which is why companies are all eager to get them for their store or office. Here are the top three that come to mind.

Contactless Transactions

This benefit is the biggest reason for the rise in popularity of the self-help kiosk. During the COVID pandemic, direct contact between people was avoided as much as possible. Kiosks allowed businesses to continue despite the restrictions.

Increased Profits

Kiosks can give you huge savings on a lot of resources, especially on manual labor. Much of the work is easily automated, which reduces operation costs for our business. You can also give your employees’ new jobs, which is a great way to make them more efficient and productive.

Faster Service

Your business will serve more customers because of the faster transactions and the shorter line. This would also ultimately translate to a much more pleasant customer experience.

Adaptability and Connectivity

You can adapt kiosks to perform multiple functions. For example, you can add a way to pay to your self-ordering kiosk so your customers can buy right away. You can also connect your kiosk to a cloud-based CMS that lets you display any content on your kiosk screens.

What Are the Cons of Self-Help Kiosks?

Just like any piece of technology, there are also some concerns you can encounter with a self-help kiosk.

Customer Frustration

Even in this digital age, many customers will not be comfortable using kiosks. Some might find it difficult to navigate the channels, while some will be hesitant to touch the screen altogether for fear of making a mistake.

Maintenance Downtime

When your system shuts down for whatever reason, maybe a power failure or an error, the kiosk will shut down with it. Also, there will be the need for repairs and maintenance. During these times, your kiosk will be temporarily out of commission, and business will be at a standstill.

Significance of Self-Help Kiosks in the Hybrid Workplace

A hybrid workplace is a convenient blend of remote work and in-house operations. The exact setup depends on the company. There might be days when employees work remotely, and days when they must physically be in the office.

No matter what the specific schedule, a hybrid work environment means fewer employees working in the office or the commercial establishment compared to a 100% in-house setup. This brings up the significance of the self-help kiosk. These machines can provide information or perform transactions for employees, clients, or visitors without human interaction. A business can go on as usual despite the reduced staff.

Setting Up Self-Help Kiosks for Your Business

It is possible to install your own kiosks, but the process can be complex. In most cases, it is advisable to seek the help of a managed service provider with relevant expertise. Here at our company, we can set up your kiosks and integrate them seamlessly into your system. We have already helped dozens of clients set up kiosks as part of the transition to a hybrid workplace.

To learn more about kiosks and how they can benefit your company, just call us. We can schedule a consultation where we can discuss the best kiosk solutions for your business.

How Small Businesses Attract Large Enterprise Talent

It is a goal for all companies, big or small, to attract and keep large enterprise talent that is suitable for the different areas of the business. After all, the more competent your workforce is, the more chances you have of successfully growing your business. But attracting talent is not always easy, especially for the SMB sector.

The Challenge of Attracting Large Enterprise Talent to SMBs

For large, multinational corporations, there is no problem because everyone is eager to work for them. These companies usually offer attractive benefits. We are not just talking about monetary compensation. There are also many other perks, like a prime office location, free training, travel opportunities, and many more.

For the SMB sector, it can be a big challenge to attract and keep large enterprise talent. The main reason for this is the limited funds. As a small or midsize business owner, what can you do to pique the interest of enterprise talent and get them to work for you? It will please you to know that there is a lot that you can do.

Effective Ways of Attracting and Retaining Large Enterprise Talent

While you might not have the prestige of working for a multinational company, you can build a highly competent workforce through other means. Here are some ways to help attract large enterprise talent.

Partnership with Local Institutions

One of the most effective ways to attract large enterprise talent is to partner with local institutions, particularly schools or community projects. You can launch a mentoring program or an internship and invite top students from the local college to sign up. Fresh minds have much to offer and can be a precious addition to your company.

Make the Hiring Process a Wonderful Experience

If you hope to lure and attract large enterprise talent into signing with your company, you must give them a wonderful experience throughout the hiring process. From the interview to onboarding, you need to make them feel valued. This increases the odds that they will want to work with you and stay with your company for a long time.

Maintain Communication with Qualified Candidates

A lot of the candidates that show up might be qualified, and you can only hire so many. In that case, keep in touch with the ones you did not hire. Let everyone know you are expanding and there might be open positions available soon. By doing so, you are essentially creating a filtered talent pool that would be precious for future hiring.

Offer a Hybrid Work Environment

One of the silver linings of the COVID pandemic is that most employees got to experience the many perks of a remote work setup. Because of this, it is now a smart move to offer a hybrid work environment, which is a mix of both remote and in-office work. Candidates will find this highly attractive because of the flexibility and improved work-life balance.

How a Managed Service Provider Can Help Attract Large Enterprise Talent

As you can see, there are plenty of things that you can do to attract and keep large enterprise talent. Some of these things need more preparation, and others might require the help of a professional. Switching to a hybrid workforce, for instance, might cause changes in your network and data infrastructure. No worries because a reliable managed services provider can take care of all that for you.

Here at our company, we have specialists that can help make the acquisition of top talent for your business a much easier task. We can set you up so well that the best candidates will soon swarm to you like bees to honey. Call us and we can talk more about how we can help you build the workforce of your dreams.

The Role of Technology in Businesses in 2023

Technology has always played a key role in businesses across different industries in 2023. But recently, this role has grown even more because IT is used more and more in businesses around the world. To draw more customers and stay ahead of the competition, you should understand all the changes and use them to your advantage.

Technology Trends in Businesses to Look Out for in 2023

grow your business in 2023

Many trends in technology are useful in growing businesses in 2023, as discussed in our first blog this month, 8 Ways Technology Will Grow Your Business in 2023. You don’t need to use all of them – just take your pick depending on your industry and the nature of your business. There are some kinds of technology, however, that can add value to just about every industry, like the following:

Artificial Intelligence

Commonly used today for online shopping, digital assistants, and fraud prevention, AI can make your operations faster and more efficient while freeing up a lot of time and other resources for your business.

Cloud Computing

Cloud-based solutions virtually take away the boundaries to how you operate your business. It gives you access to software, infrastructure, and other resources you could only dream of before.

Automation

So many processes that used to be done manually are now automated through technology in businesses, especially in 2023. This transition speeds up operations, reduces the risk of human error, and makes for a much better customer experience.

Internet of Things

Now that software, sensors, and other things can connect almost everything, we are living in the age of connectivity. The IoT provides many ways for businesses to save time and increase efficiency, but it also opens up new security risks, so we must exercise due caution.

Vendor Management Technology in Businesses in 2023

Working with vendors is a more complicated task than many assume. To reduce risks, you need to keep costs low and get the most out of your vendors. With the aid of a good VMS, all this is possible without breaking a sweat.

The Importance of Cybersecurity Technology in Businesses in 2023

Technology Trends for Cybersecurity

As technology in businesses advances in 2023, so does the risk of online threats. For this reason, it is more important than ever to protect your business with a dependable cybersecurity solution.

As we talked about in our blog post on week 2, Top 8 Technology Trends and How They Impact Cybersecurity, each current technology trend has its own impact on cybersecurity. Some are good, and some are not so good. You can read more about it by checking out our blog here.

Perks of Working with a Managed Service Provider

Changing your IT provider
Tired Caucasian bearded 40s middle-aged businessman employee man typing laptop feels failure upset with loss of information online error stressed looking at the computer screen suffering from headache pressure. High-quality photo

Staying updated on all the changes in technology in businesses can be tiresome in 2023. Typically, business owners would not have the time to do it themselves. But there is a way to enjoy the benefits of technology for your business—by partnering with a managed services provider.

If you currently already have an IT provider but are not always happy about the service you are getting, it might be time to make a change. Changing your MSP is a bold move that must not be taken lightly. In our week 3 blog entitled When Is It Time to Change Your IT Provider? we list some signs that tell you to find a new provider.

A reliable MSP can give you all that IT offers and make it work for your business, just like we do at Our Company. We can provide everything from simple IT consultation to business automation, vendor management, cybersecurity, and anything technology-related that can help grow your business.

One of our areas of expertise is vendor management. This is quite an underrated aspect of business that needs more attention as it deals with crucial business expenses that impact growth. Click here for more about our vendor management services and how they can benefit your business.

8 Ways Technology Will Grow Your Business in 2023

Technology continues to play a role in the growth of businesses. But if you can’t keep up with what’s going on in your field, you might fall behind in the competition. Even worse, you might put your business at huge risk in online safety. That is an absolute no-no if you want to grow your business in 2023.

The rapid changes in technology in 2023 might seem scary, but don’t let them overwhelm you. All you need to do is stay on top of whatever technology is available and use it to your advantage. And the first step to achieving this is awareness. Hence, to give you a heads-up, here are 8 ways technology will grow your business in 2023.

Use Artificial Intelligence to Grow Your Business in 2023

Created to replicate the way humans think, artificial intelligence is now found in vast and diverse applications. AI is used a lot in business for online shopping, advertising, web search, digital assistants, stopping fraud, and more. The two most notable benefits of AI are that it saves you time and resources and gives you more detailed insights that will help you improve your business.

Cloud-Based Solutions

Cloud-based solutions are among the most significant technologies to help grow your business in 2023. Instead of limiting your business to the limited physical resources you have, cloud solutions give you a lot of ways to grow your business. Aside from the web-based services readily available, there are business-focused cloud solutions like SaaS, IaaS, PaaS, and many more.

Cybersecurity Solutions

As technology grows, so do the capabilities of hackers. This threat means the need for reliable cybersecurity measures is more critical now than ever. Fortunately, there are many ways that you can use modern technology to boost your defenses. Always stay a few steps ahead of cybercriminals by equipping your system with the latest cybersecurity tools and solutions. Simple things like multi-factor authentication or phishing simulations can go a long way.

Internet of Things

The Internet of Things, or IoT, refers to the network of objects, devices, and data systems that connect through sensors and software applications. Because practically everything is located online, the IoT plays a role in keeping your business in line with current technology trends. Through IoT, you can eliminate some of your business’ overhead costs and boost efficiency by a large margin. This will help reduce business finances and help grow your business in 2023.

Automation to Grow Your Business in 2023

Time is a precious resource, and with time management, automation is a godsend. Automation technology is very advanced. It is now easy to automate processes in lead generation, sales, e-commerce, and even customer service. Take advantage of the simplification that it brings and watch your business grow at a much faster rate.

Vendor Management

For a smaller business, vendor management is a relatively simple process that is done manually. But as your business grows and you add more suppliers, you can use a more effective way to keep costs down, get the most out of each one, and reduce risks. It’s time to upgrade to a more modern and capable VMS or vendor management system, for your operations.

Renewable Energy

Using renewable energy was not so popular back in the day when fossil fuels and other traditional energy sources were more popular. But with technology in 2023, not only is it much more affordable to use renewable energy today, but it saves millions of dollars for many industries.

Quantum Computing to Grow Your Business in 2023

Quantum computing is one area of technology that businesses should keep an eye on in 2023, even though it isn’t as common as the other examples. Research in quantum technology is moving forward quickly. This new technology will make improvements to both software and hardware, which is great for business growth.

As we said, technology can be daunting but empowering at the same time. If you are ready to benefit from the latest IT advances but a bit of hesitation is holding you back, we are right here! From explaining the need for a reliable managed service provider to being your partner in using technology to grow your business, GlitchBusters has got your back.

To download our Free Infographic on why you need Vendor Management,click hereCall us today for a free consultation!

IT Compliance and Why It Is Important for Your Business

In running a business, there are a lot of important matters that need to be taken care of. Even if they are not really in line with the core competencies of the business. One such matter is IT compliance. In the last few weeks, we have been talking about compliance and how it is important to your business.

IT Compliance

What Is IT Compliance?

One of our recent blogs gives a brief but enlightening overview of what IT compliance is all about. In a nutshell, it is the process of complying with the rules, regulations and requirements set by a third party, which aim to reduce the risk for your organization and allow you to operate within the location or industry under their jurisdiction.

IT Security

How Is IT Compliance Different from IT Security?

IT security is another term that we are all familiar with, especially these days when online fraud, data breaches and other kinds of cyberattacks are so prevalent. In another recent blog, we list the differences between IT security and compliance, and also how they are similar in some ways.

The Similarities

IT Compliance and security can be quite confusing to a lot of people, with many mistakenly thinking that they are the same concept. This is understandable as both do have to do with the protection of your organization amidst the threat-filled online environment. That is, both reduce the risk for your business and let you operate more smoothly.

Also, both compliance and security are vital for gaining and maintaining the trust of your clients. By showing that your system is secure and fully compliant with all industry and legal standards, you can attract customers and build a positive reputation much more easily.

The Differences

One of the primary differences between IT compliance and IT security is that the former is only to fulfill the requirements set by a third party, while the latter is done for the actual protection of one’s business or company. As such, IT security usually involves much more stringent safety measures and protocols that aim to keep your system as safe as possible.

Another difference is that IT security is an ongoing process that needs to be maintained 24/7 while compliance is done as soon as the requesting party is satisfied. The requirements for compliance remain more or less the same for a very long time, while security needs can change very often as it needs to address the continually evolving strategies used by hackers day in and day out.

Achieving Compliance

Why Compliance Should Be a Team Effort

Compliance is considered by many as routine work that only requires the minimum requirements set by a third party. With that only one individual is working on compliance for the company. But compliance is actually a much more significant and much larger task than that. In yet another blog, we discuss the reasons why compliance should be a team effort for any organization.

Among these reasons is that there are plenty of discussions that need to take place before full compliance is complete. Some of the most crucial issues to talk about our email encryption, data encryption, firewalls, backups, data availability, and storage. If you don’t work on these matters, it can lead to fines and penalties for your company. Worse, it could leave gaps in your security system that hackers can easily get through.

We have a 10-step guideline that you can follow if you think there is a hacker in this infographic.

But of course, we don’t want things to go that far. To minimize the risk of that happening, you need to put due effort into compliance. It won’t be practical or wise to expect just one person to complete this sensitive work. We highly recommend delegating the work to a team of experts who can guarantee that all requirements are complete. This will let your organization be fully compliant in no time at all.

To find out more about how we can help, just call us today and we will schedule a free consultation!

Achieving Compliance as a Team

Before your company can fully comply with all the requirements set by third parties like regulatory bodies and clients, there are dozens upon dozens of tasks that need to be completed. These tasks are spread across different areas of the company and are impossible for just one individual to accomplish. The process of achieving compliance would require a fast and thorough team of compliance specialists.

Vital Matters to Discuss when achieving compliance

In most cases achieving compliance failures can be attributed to a lack of planning and communication. To avoid these problems, bring your compliance team together right from the start and discuss all the crucial matters.

Email Encryption

Daily, hundreds of emails can go back and forth in your company. You need a reliable encryption system to protect all emails and keep all data away from these hackers.

Data Encryption

Customer data, credit card information, and other data must all pass through a secure collection system to avoid theft or exposure to unauthorized parties. This method is crucial when achieving compliance.

Firewalls

Skilled hackers can easily override some firewalls. If you are still using an older firewall try upgrading to a multi-level system for a much better defense against unwanted intruders.

Backups

Data backups are your lifeline of a system failure or cyberattack and are crucial when achieving compliance. It is crucial to create backups regularly and store them in a safe location in a system that complies with client and government requirements.

Data Availability and Storage when achieving compliance

Sensitive information within your business must only be accessible to authorized individuals. There should be a surefire method of restricting access to sensitive information to minimize data breaches.

Physical Access

Maximizing digital security is critical, but you must not take physical safety measures for granted. Every employee should shut down their computers properly after use. Screen filters might be necessary when achieving compliance for some workstations with sensitive data.

Responsibilities of the Internal Compliance Officer to achieving compliance

In addition to choosing a highly skilled IT compliance team, you also need an internal compliance officer on your payroll when achieving compliance. Their primary duty would be to monitor the staff and ensure that each one abides by compliance procedures—locking their systems when they leave their workstations, practicing caution when using credit card information and private company data, and so on.

Regular cybersecurity training is also part of the responsibilities of the internal compliance officer. Quarterly training is ideal for keeping employees aware of the pervasive dangers online. When new employees join the team, they should receive training on compliance policies as well.

Finally, it is also the internal compliance officer who maintains compliance-related documentation such as communication standards and backup plans.

Delegating Compliance to an MSP

Even businesses that are not in the IT industry will need to comply with several IT regulations when achieving compliance. If you do not have an in-house tech team and if your staff does not have the expertise or experience to handle the task, there’s no need to worry. MSPs, or managed services providers, can take these technical matters off your hands.

If you partner with us, we will assign your company a team of compliance experts who will ensure that you meet all relevant requirements. Whether you need to fulfill requirements for HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR, NIST, or any other regulatory authority, we will take care of it to completion. Give us a call, our team will also coordinate closely with your organization to ensure we meet all requirements. You can also check out our Free Cybersecurity Infographic if you’re looking for great advice to keep your business safe in the meantime.