Why Outsource IT Services?

The need for information technology services impacts all businesses, small to large-scale, on a daily basis. A task can be as simple as installing Microsoft Office 365 onto a company computer, or as complex as integrating a customized e-commerce platform into your business. ISU Corp can be that liaison that helps minimize your stress while being a cost-effective software solution. 

The Cost of In-House IT Departments

You may be thinking about the physical cost on your company of attempting to equip a whole IT department, but I encourage you to think about the additional costs and burdens on your company. Your company will have to allocate a significant amount of time and energy to create a strong information technology department. The potentially lengthy staffing process will mean you have to technically test and ensure your potential future employees have the necessary skills to be an asset to your business. What if your IT needs are not long-term? Your department would not be utilized to the highest capacity. This is a waste of resources and can be easily combatted by outsourcing your IT services. 

The Flexibility of Outsourcing 

Instead of expending all that time and energy, companies like ISU Corp provide flexible services. IT services can be provided at your discretion; you can have one task in mind or an entire project you are hoping to complete. Not only is that cost-effective for your team, but you know an expert is on the task and entirely dedicated to what your business hopes to accomplish. 

4 Benefits of Outsourcing: 

1.Cost-Effective 

An in-house IT department can prove to be a stress point for your business. Added salary costs, technology costs, and staffing concerns make creating a department within your business a difficult task. The ease of outsourcing can replace and significantly minimize costs as outsourcing is at your company’s discretion as opposed to on an unbending day-to-day basis. 

2.Expert Knowledge

Creating your own team means needing to ensure they have the skills to complete your goals. Outsourcing eliminates these concerns as companies have that expert knowledge before entering any company to complete their IT goals. 

3.Dedicated to Fulfilling your Goals

The team coming in is there to support and build your IT needs. Instead of being whisked away by daily IT concerns or working on minimal tasks, they are dedicated to tackling your significant needs. An outsourced company is there to tailor your IT services to your business goals and wants to be an asset for your company’s growth. 

4.Outside Perspective Can Allow You to Take a Step Back 

Often times when we have a problem, we narrow in so close that we stop ourselves from taking a step back and seeing the solution in the bigger picture. Having an outsourced team come on, they are able to grasp your business, its problem(s), and have that ‘big picture’ frame of mind. Outsourcing IT services can be so refreshing for you, and once you also take that step back, you can help ensure the team is catering as strong of a solution for you as possible.  

Conclusion: Is Outsourcing Right for You?

Ever questioned if your company needs more hands-on expert knowledge regarding anything in the realm of IT and software? Reach out to ISU Corp for more information and how we can help grow your business. 

3 Ways to Protect Your Information From Zero-Day Virus Attack

It is no secret that computer viruses are a complete nuisance to all users. After all, that's what they were created for. Over time, cyber attacks have become more sophisticated and difficult to detect and that is why in many cases cybercriminals have escaped after causing a lot of damage.

Currently, there are many antiviruses that reduce the negative impact of cyber attacks. Many of them are well recognized like Norton, McAfee, and Avira. But what sometimes happens is that antivirus programs tend to recognize threats that already exist, and in cases where they are faced with zero-day viruses, it may happen that they won't identify the new malware.

In this blog, I will be writing about 3 ways to protect your information from zero-day virus attacks.

What is a zero-day virus?

When a virus is discovered and cannot be detected and/or eliminated by the existing antivirus, it is called a zero-day virus. In the same way, you can come across zero-day malware and worms. Regardless of the type of virus, it is, if not treated promptly it can cause serious damage.

After a security expert identifies the flaw, the race between the expert and the hackers begins. It's about developing a patch as soon as possible while hackers exploit that vulnerability. Security experts will try to find the solution in a short period of time to compromise as little confidential information as possible.

Zero-days attacks in history

• Sony Pictures Entertainment

In 2014 Sony suffered an attack by hackers who identified a vulnerability that allowed them to access relevant information exchanged between senior executives of the film studio through emails. They also stole business plans, contracts, and scripts. In addition to the complete copies of five unpublished films that aspired to win prizes.

• National Democratic Committee

In 2016 the DNC suffered one of the best-known attacks in history. Hackers of Russian origin were reported to have identified around six vulnerabilities in Java and Flash programs. As a result, they accessed emails exchanged between well-known political figures in the United States. The stolen information was later published on the Wikileaks site.

How to protect your information from a zero-day attack

There is no perfect solution to avoid being a victim of a zero-day attack, but there are some actions you can take to reduce the risks of finding yourself in that situation.

1. Keep all the programs on your computer updated. Outdated software can present greater vulnerabilities and will end up exposing your information to hacker attacks.

2. Use good antivirus software, paid software is usually better at identifying and removing threats.

3. Firewalls offer protection too. But you should include enabling regular updates of databases and virus definitions so that you have a better chance of being protected against the newest threats.

While being a victim of virus attacks is sometimes unavoidable, you should always try to ensure that the opportunities for hackers to invade your privacy are as few as possible.

If you need any support, feel free to contact us.

3 Most Common IT Support Costs for Small Businesses

Find out Which IT Support System Works for Your Business

Starting a new business will involve lots of hidden costs along the way, you often wouldn’t think about the need for IT support. Understanding the potential information technology costs that may arise for your business will help you to plan as you build your brand. Knowing the potential foreshadowed costs allows you to strategically budget and allocate funds to start preparing for your IT needs to come. 

Where Will You Need IT Support?

As your business increases, there will be a greater need to expand. This could look like new software development, increasing data-saving outlets, or integrating technology with your business strategy. You may not have all the answers to achieving these solutions - this is where IT support comes into play. You need to think about if you want an IT department on standby within your company, or if you would prefer to have IT support brought in whenever needed. 

Three Different Cost Streams

IT costs often come in three different cost streams; you can have a one-time need for support, and a consistent support team on hand for your company, or create an internal company system. 

1.One-time Support

2.Consistent Support System 

3.Use your Company Resources

One-Time Support 

Sometimes an out-of-the-blue need for information technology will arise for your company. This is an unpredictable cost that truly depends on the IT situation that occurs. Ultimately, you do not have to do last-minute research in an attempt to find a trustworthy company. Instead, as you are starting up your small business, this is the time to begin determining what IT support software company will be great to mitigate your future problems. 

Having one-time on-call support is best for situations when you need to perhaps install software, and it would be best done by a professional IT specialist. Needing a specific task done one time will likely be far more cost-efficient for your company, rather than having an IT support team on standby or as its own department. 

Consistent Support System 

Using an outside company to help ensure your IT needs are being met will be a relatively easy cost for your company to budget off. The company will likely have a clear-cut monthly fee or salary that needs to be paid for the employee to be on standby. As your business expands and becomes more medium-sized, there will be a greater need to expand from potentially one to maybe three workers. 

Outsourcing support from an expert means any unexpected troubles you run into - they are there and ready to help. Thinking about adding in more people to your team, even outsourced, could be a daunting idea for your newer business. Though we need to recognize, compared to outsourcing standby support, implementing internal company resources will likely dramatically increase that cost. 

Use Your Company Resources 

Having an in-house IT team will likely be the most costly compared to the other IT support methods. Ideally, we can see how having expert support implemented within every facet and department of your company is advantageous. As technology becomes a driving avenue of expansion for companies, it is clear how in-house support is a remarkable tool. 

This method is best to be utilized by a larger company. The bigger the company, the more everyday technological problems may occur throughout the entire business - this ensures your IT department is in use and constantly helping to progress your business. While this can be an asset for a larger business, we would recommend small to medium-sized businesses steer away from this path because it can create unnecessary costs for your company. In a small business, creating an IT department early on - means those workers may not be strategically utilized as often as they should be to really be worthwhile. 

In Conclusion: Identify The Right Method For You

Knowing the IT setup you want within your business now can help to clear up future concerns. Fusion Computing has a great article detailing these different IT costs for businesses and includes what a potential cost breakdown could look like for companies at https://fusioncomputing.ca/cost-of-it-support-for-small-business/.

Having a reliable company you know can provide you with a strong software support system is key to growing your business. What cost stream works best for your company?

Find out how ISU Software can help propel your company towards success, contact us!