How Mid-Sized Companies Can Leverage Technology Companies to Accelerate Their Success

As a company owner, growth will always be your goal. Now that you’ve reached mid-sized company status, you’ve already experienced some growth, but chances are good that you’d like to see your business go even further. Fortunately, you can leverage technology companies to help accelerate your success and take you to the next level.

Expertise, Resources, and Industry Knowledge

Hiring an IT company to help you grow your business might seem a bit daunting, but the truth is that they bring much more than their knowledge of networking and software. They also bring with them experiences from other businesses, resources and information that can help you meet all your business goals more quickly. If you’re facing a certain challenge or problem, there’s a good chance that the IT company you hire has dealt with that problem in the past, and they can help you overcome it far more quickly than you could on your own.

Access to a Managed Services Provider

Even if you already have an excellent in-house IT team taking care of most your needs, a managed services provider, or MSP, can do even more for you. The best part about utilizing an MSP is the fact that you get to decide exactly how they support your company.

  • Full-scale IT support. An MSP can completely replace an in-house IT team, so if you have limited space or equipment available to you, this is an excellent choice.
  • Front-line support. In some cases, mid-sized businesses have a couple of IT professionals on standby to take care of major issues, but the business handles all the front-line support (basic software and networking) on their own. An MSP can alleviate pressure by serving as your front line, allowing your employees to focus more on their primary roles.
  • Back-end support. On the other hand, some companies have one or more IT professionals who can handle the front line just fine on their own but struggle to resolve more advanced issues. An MSP can act as an advanced IT support group, as well.
  • Overflow support. As your company grows, your in-house IT department (and your servers) will feel the strain. An MSP can remain “on-call” to help you handle overflow, which results in a better experience for you and your customers.
  • After-hours support. Finally, the demand for customer service, order support, etc. doesn’t end just because your company has closed shop for the day. An MSP is a great option for taking over and providing that support after hours.

Providing a Better Customer Experience

All in all, growing your business is about making sure people know who you are, getting those people to buy your products and services, and making those people happy. If you can provide the best possible customer experience to everyone who interacts with your company, growth is all but guaranteed. Technology companies have worked in many industries, and they know which technologies and solutions work best.

If growth is your ultimate goal – and it should be – then technology is going to play an important role in that. Leveraging the expertise and knowledge of a technology company, and perhaps even an MSP to help alleviate some of the day-to-day stress in your business can accelerate that success.

June 17, 2025
Meeting IT security compliance standards is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive data, particularly in industries such as healthcare, finance, defense, and e-commerce. Regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS, and GDPR exist to help ensure businesses protect customer information and maintain robust cybersecurity practices. Unfortunately, many organizations fall short of these requirements, often due to common, avoidable mistakes. These gaps can result in costly fines, data breaches, and reputational damage, which can significantly impact the business's bottom line and customer trust. 1. Failing to Conduct Regular Risk Assessments The Pitfall: Many businesses overlook the importance of conducting routine risk assessments. Without these, it’s challenging to identify vulnerabilities or evaluate whether your current cybersecurity controls meet compliance standards. How to Avoid It: Implement a regular risk assessment schedule. Work with a qualified IT provider to evaluate your systems, identify weaknesses, and document remediation plans. These assessments should be performed at least annually, or whenever significant changes to the system occur. 2. Inadequate Employee Training The Pitfall: Your employees are your first line of defense—and often your most significant vulnerability. A common compliance issue arises when businesses fail to train staff on cybersecurity best practices or on handling sensitive data appropriately. How to Avoid It: Invest in ongoing cybersecurity awareness training. Ensure employees understand how to recognize phishing emails, create strong passwords, and report any suspicious activity. Training should be updated regularly to reflect current threats and compliance requirements. 3. Improper Data Handling and Storage The Pitfall: Storing sensitive data in unsecured locations, failing to encrypt information, or retaining data longer than necessary are significant compliance risks. These practices are often flagged during audits. How to Avoid It: Adopt data classification policies that define how different types of data should be handled; encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit. Establish clear data retention policies and ensure that obsolete data is disposed of securely. 4. Lack of Incident Response Planning The Pitfall: When a security incident occurs, time is of the essence. Many businesses lack a documented incident response plan, or their existing plan hasn’t been thoroughly tested. This can lead to delayed responses, increased damage, and regulatory penalties. How to Avoid It: Develop a formal incident response plan that includes roles, responsibilities, communication protocols, and steps for containment and recovery. Run simulated breach scenarios with your IT team to ensure everyone knows how to respond effectively. 5. Using Outdated Software or Systems The Pitfall: Running outdated operating systems, software, or firmware is a common issue that can lead to compliance failures. Unsupported technologies are more vulnerable to exploitation. How to Avoid It: Keep all systems and applications up to date with the latest patches. Use automated tools to track software versions and receive alerts about end-of-life technologies. Schedule regular maintenance windows to apply updates and upgrades. 6. Insufficient Access Controls The Pitfall: Allowing too many employees access to sensitive data—or failing to revoke access when it’s no longer needed—can lead to data breaches and non-compliance. How to Avoid It: Implement role-based access controls and follow the principle of least privilege. This principle means that each user should have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to ensure access is current and appropriate. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an additional layer of protection. 7. Neglecting Third-Party Vendor Risks The Pitfall: Businesses often overlook the fact that their compliance responsibilities extend to third-party vendors. If a vendor mishandles your data, you could still be held accountable. How to Avoid It: Vet third-party vendors carefully. Ensure they meet the same compliance standards as your business and include security requirements in your contracts. Conduct periodic audits or request compliance certifications from your vendors. 8. Failing to Document Policies and Procedures The Pitfall: Even if your security practices are strong, failing to document your compliance policies can result in audit failures. Regulators want to see evidence that you have formal processes in place. How to Avoid It: Create and maintain clear documentation for all compliance-related policies, including data protection, access control, incident response, and employee training. Make these documents easily accessible for audits and regularly review them to ensure updates are current. Conclusion Compliance with IT security standards is not a one-time project—it requires ongoing attention, regular updates, and a proactive approach to maintain effectiveness. By understanding and addressing these common pitfalls, your business can stay ahead of regulatory requirements, strengthen its security posture, and reduce the risk of costly incidents. This ongoing attention is crucial to maintaining your business's security and audit readiness. If you’re unsure whether your business is meeting current IT compliance standards, professional support can help. Contact SDTEK today to schedule a compliance assessment and learn how our IT services can keep your business secure and audit-ready. With our support, you can navigate the complex landscape of IT security compliance with confidence.
April 9, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, cybersecurity isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you run a small startup or a growing enterprise in Fort Wayne , protecting your business’s data, systems, and clients is essential for long-term success. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, cyber threats are evolving every day, and the best way to stay ahead of them is by partnering with a reliable IT services provider that understands the unique needs of local businesses. Here’s why investing in professional business IT support is one of the smartest decisions Fort Wayne businesses can make—and how working with SDTEK helps protect your operations, your data, and your reputation.