For the last three months, we’ve all been focused on the day-to-day details of our technology. Does one videoconferencing platform work better than another? Will my laptop allow me to access files stored on an office server? Do I really have to reset that password, log in to a new messaging app, or answer emails on the weekend?
Given the fact that millions of workers across North America shifted to telecommuting this spring, those questions make sense. Similar ones will continue to pop up as we navigate a hybrid mixture of in-office meetings and remote work. But now is also the time to take a step back and address bigger IT concerns.
When you or your employees needed instant tech support, who did you turn to? Have compliance demands in your industry changed? What does cybersecurity training look like in our “new normal”? How will the fiscal year 2021 differ from 2020? Thinking about such issues can help you take a more strategic look at your business—with the added outlook of a trusted IT provider.
The best part is, with that extra perspective, you’ll be better prepared next time a hard drive fails, an Internet connection goes down, or a ransomware infection threatens your business. You’ll know what to do, where to turn, and how to respond—especially once you answer these eight questions about cybersecurity, IT support, and technology solutions that match your needs.
Every day, cybersecurity threats evolve, piggybacking on popular news stories like COVID-19 to try and deliver debilitating malware infections, disastrous data breaches, and targeted social engineering swindles. That’s why modern businesses need multiple layers of protection: firewalls, anti-virus and anti-malware software, DNS filtering, Internet traffic analysis, remote access protocols, and more network security solutions that can secure businesses big and small. These tools are the definition of behind-the-scenes: you may not see them operating or understand their subtle workings. But if your day-to-day operations are running smoothly, you can rest assured that your company is safe.
Many large IT providers apply a “one-size-fits-all” approach to their clients, recommending products that might work in one setting but not in another. That’s why CMIT Solutions is so committed to delivering personalized local support backed by a North American network. Our independent franchisees live and work in the communities they serve and understand the challenges that business owners face. Instead of worrying about third-party vendors or the cost of a solution, we pride ourselves on understanding the problems our clients are facing—and then implementing realistic solutions that fit their needs and their budgets.
There are two approaches to IT: a defensive or reactive stance, which responds to problems after they happen, and a proactive stance, which provides IT protection around the clock to diagnose and prevent problems before they occur. Comprehensive protection doesn’t just mean that every part of your company’s IT ecosystem is watched over—desktop and laptop computers, networks and servers, printers and data storage devices, smartphones, and more. It means that each component of your business is monitored regularly to maintain an overall picture of your technology health. After all, it takes just one hiccup by a user or one intrusion by a hacker to threaten the well-constructed foundation of your technology infrastructure.
This question is more important than ever, with millions of employees across North America working from home at least part of the time. If an IT provider doesn’t take this “new normal” seriously or considers remote work to be a temporary solution, consider whether they might be up to the task of responding to a world-changing event like the COVID-19 pandemic in the future. Most importantly, don’t dial your desire for remote work support up or down based on what a potential IT provider offers. Instead, find the right partner that meets your needs and supports what you want to achieve.
That probably depends on the size and scale of your business. Small companies with a few employees may find that they only need support every once in a while. But larger businesses might find that they’re more reliant on IT support—especially with many employees spread out across cities, states, and regions and possibly still working from home. CMIT Solutions employs more than 800 technicians with decades of experience at nearly 250 offices in multiple time zones across North America. We’ve solved every IT problem imaginable, and our help desk stands ready to support businesses large and small, on the phone or via chat, no matter what their needs might be.
From HIPAA to GDPR to new state rules enacted across the U.S., the cybersecurity landscape continues to shift quickly—especially for those in sensitive industries like health care, finance, and legal services. CMIT Solutions understands these updates to data security and identity protection, and we work hard to translate them into straightforward action for our clients, no matter what industry they’re in. In a world where one mistake can lead to serious civil or even criminal penalties, we respond with time-tested solutions for encryption, backup, and disaster recovery to keep your business on the right track.
Absolutely. While we understand the value of properly functioning computers, networks, and devices, we know that those machines have to be used properly by the people who work for your business. That’s why we pair 24/7 IT support with ongoing education and training that focuses on the human element of your company. From identifying spam emails to understanding the way ransomware works, we believe that empowering and informing smart, savvy employees can pay huge dividends for your company while also beefing up your first line of cybersecurity defenses.
Any IT provider that sells services can promise total protection and comprehensive security. At CMIT Solutions, we go above and beyond that. We commit to stand by your side while solving short-term and long-term business problems. We promise to use cybersecurity solutions as a tool to help your company survive and thrive. We vow to do more than just deliver IT services—we want to partner with you and help you prosper.
We’re fellow small business owners just like you. We know how hard it is to navigate the complicated digital world we all live in. That’s why we take our IT support seriously. That’s why we’re always available when you need us. When things go well, we’ll be there to let you know. And when things go wrong, we promise to rise to every challenge and work nonstop until the issue is resolved, no matter how hard it might be or how long it might take.
That’s a promise we take seriously, for each and every client. If you’re looking for that level of technical support from a partner that’s ready to stand and deliver, contact CMIT Solutions today.