Should my Company have In-House IT Support?


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Last week, in our blog “ Does My Company Really Need IT Support? ” we discussed how to determine if your company needs a Help Desk or IT Support , sometimes referred to as Managed IT Services. If you concluded that you do need some kind of help desk you now have to decide whether or not to bring it in-house.

At first glance this may appear to be strictly an economic issue, however, the analysis is slightly more complicated than can you afford to pay someone.  The first question that must be asked (after you have decided the cost of not doing anything) is do I have enough problems to warrant someone doing this full time?  If the answer is no, you probably want to seek a managed IT services company.  If the answer is yes, then you have to decide what skills and expertise are required?

What Kind of IT Support Expertise do I need?

IT has never been a discipline where generalists prevail.  Even a standalone computer requires knowledge in multiple disciplines to support.  If you are connected to the internet, as most of us are, things become even more complicated.  Let’s examine a single site company with no remote users.  Here are the various items that need to be supported:

  1. The physical plant, with all of the jacks and cabling
  2. Workstations, laptops, desktops and handheld devices
  3. All the associated applications
  4. The network infrastructure of switches and routers
  5. Security appliances to defend against breaches
  6. Servers for a host of required services including network authentication, file sharing, communications like telephony, email and instant messaging, update services, database management, etc
  7. Wireless infrastructure
  8. Anti-virus and anti-malware applications and services
  9. Some kind of backup and disaster recovery schema.

Each of these requires their own expertise and while many talented IT professionals are knowledgeable in multiple disciplines, none know all of them well.  Additionally, you may require specialized knowledge to support your servers or edge appliances.

If you plan on hiring someone in-house, then you need to identify what your needs are today and what are you likely to grow to tomorrow.  What are the must-have, nice to have and do not need now disciplines?  Once you know this you can look at your budget.  Assuming that you have minimal needs, basic network without any servers, you can probably hire someone with desktop support capabilities for $40K to $60K per year, depending on where in the country you are located and how much experience you want.  If you need server level support, then you are looking for an engineer that will command a significantly higher salary in the $80K to $100K+ a year range.

Assuming you have the budget to make such a hire there is one more point to consider.  A single in-house technician can only be in one place at a time.  It would be awfully nice if issues occurred sequentially and only after the previous issue has been solved or is close to being solved.  Unfortunately, life never works that way.  Issues come in waves and there is a hiatus between them.  Additionally, your engineer or technician will usually get involved in project work like upgrading or replacing workstations and servers.  Issues will occur at inopportune times and something will have to be sacrificed.  Lastly, what about vacation and sick time.  In contrast, Managed IT service providers usually have multiple technicians and engineers staffing their help desk.  Rarely are they in a position where they can’t respond in a timely fashion to a support request.  If your budget permits, it makes sense to hire more than one to cover each other and to provide expertise in the various disciplines.  If you only have the budget to hire one technician, you are probably better served outsourcing your helpdesk or IT services needs to a reliable company.

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.