Covid-19 has challenged every aspect of running a business, and budgeting is no exception. As businesses prepare for the upcoming year, many will be forced to prioritize where to spend their hard-earned dollars – and where to scale back.
You should never cut costs when it comes to IT, especially in 2022. Cyberattacks are more common – and more costly – than ever before, and a rise in remote workforces requires navigating new expenses. From cybersecurity to collaborative tools, here are the top four items your business needs to include in your 2022 IT budget.
Reliable Tools for Remote Working
Like it or not, remote working is here to stay. If you want your team to be productive while working out of the office, you’ll need to make it easy for them to communicate and collaborate with their colleagues (and the company).
While you can string together a variety of cheaper applications with limited success, it’s best to invest in a single solution that meets all of your needs and can be used across devices. For example, Microsoft 365 is a cloud-based productivity suite that includes seamless applications for communicating and collaborating, as well as a variety of other tools your team can use on tasks. The up-front cost is a small price to pay for increased productivity and a stronger company culture.
Security Training for your Team
Would it surprise you to learn that employees are the number one cause of data breaches? The majority of these cases aren’t actually malicious, but stem from staff members that have little (or no) training in cybersecurity practices. With more employees working outside of office supervision, it’s more important than ever to provide your team with security training.
Of course, that doesn’t mean doling out cybersecurity degrees. Basic security training should cover topics like adware, password security practices, and email phishing. If your business or industry has specific risks (such as sensitive information or security compliance), be sure to cover those areas in-depth.
Cyber Liability Insurance
Breaches do happen, and they often cost your business thousands of hard-earned dollars (if not more). Cyber Liability Insurance is a special policy that covers your financial losses and can also pay for things like data restoration, security investigations, customer credit monitoring, public relations, and more.
Cyber Insurance isn’t cheap, but the price is easier to bear when you remember that 60% of small businesses fold within 6 months of a cyberattack. To stay protected, purchase a policy with the highest limits – and smallest deductible – you can afford.
Managed Service Provider (MSP)
Your time – and your team’s time – is valuable. A Managed Service Provider (MSP) can help you make the most of every minute by providing a defined selection of IT services like network management, data backup and recovery, remote monitoring, cybersecurity, and more. If you have a MSP for your business, ask them to streamline their services to free up time in your schedule. If you don’t have a MSP, consider hiring one.
Business Information Solutions (BIS) provides a range of professional IT services that are customizable to your company. From managed IT support to cybersecurity solutions to compliance consulting and beyond, our team is your partner in protection for every inch of your IT infrastructure. Contact us today to learn more.
Is Your Business at Risk of Getting Hacked? Take Our Quiz!
Knowing if your organization is following security best practices can significantly reduce your risk of a cyber attack. Take our quiz below to find out!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Phone: 251-405-2555
Email: support@askbis.com
Phillip Long – CISSP, CEO of , along with his team of marketing and information technology experts, will walk you through an overview of what your business should be doing to protect your data and plan your digital marketing strategies.
