Working With A Managed Service Provider Can Save You Money, Here’s How!

IT is one of the key ingredients for running a successful business in the modern world. For many organizations who fail to go digital – they run the risk of their day to day business operations falling into the wrong hands. Possibly the hands of a cyber criminal. However, with regular maintenance, security checks and system upgrades from a tech department – a company can stay afloat and remain secure. To keep up with in-house IT tasks, it can be costly and can become a drag on a company’s finances. Small businesses are most affected as their survival depends on how well they can manage operational costs over time.

What do you do if your in-house IT business expenses keep rising? Thanks to managed service providers , a business can explore the option to outsource their technical needs.

Below, we discuss in detail how a managed service provider (MSP) can help your business save money.

1. Save On Staffing

As a small business owner, your financial resources are limited and given that IT professionals are one of the highest paid members of a staff, getting skilled personnel may be very difficult.

When your IT functions are outsourced, you can save money that would have been spent on salaries, insurance, benefits and more. Over time, the costs can eat deep into your business’ finance. Since your MSP bills is a fixed monthly payment, you will be saving money by paying only for the services that you need. Being able to budget correctly also allows you to plan effectively for your business growth.

2. Training Expenses

IT knowledge dynamic – what is new now could be obsolete in the next few months. Thus, continuous training is mandatory for a team to stay up to date. However, this comes at a huge cost to your business. Depending on the IT specialty, the costs could range in tens of thousands per employee. By working with an MSP, you can sidestep these costs and concentrate on running your business more effectively. The MSP will ensure that its staff has the right skill sets to provide your business with the best services it needs. Your business will benefit from specialized IT skills without incurring training costs.

3. Quick Maintenance

The resolution of IT challenges may be delayed due to lack of skill or manpower. When a fault with your network is not fixed quickly, it can cause inconvenience to your customer and consequent loss in revenue. An MSP monitors your system 24×7 and will respond promptly to any problem that might affect your business.

4. Cyber Security

Hackers are searching for vulnerable businesses to infiltrate for financial gain. Security breaches not only disrupt your business but recovering from them may cost you a lot. Recovery may not even be possible in some cases and the business will be forced to shut down. It is, therefore, necessary to have skilled cyber security experts looking after your business. MSPs have a specialized team of IT security technicians who know the best ways to secure your network from criminals.

5. Regulation Compliance

Depending on the industry you operate in, there may be certain guidelines on how to run certain aspects of your business or handle customer’s data. These regulations usually evolve with time and it can be costly to keep up with current guidelines. There are usually penalties if your business if found not compliant. With an MSP, compliance is no longer your responsibility, the outsourced firm is expected to meet the necessary regulatory requirements.

6. Services Cost

When you require services such as data backup, recovery and remote access for your business and decide to go at it alone, you bear the full setup and maintenance costs which can add up in the long run. A MSP is able to provide or acquire such service at a scale which leads to a reduced cost for you.

In Closing

Making a profit in your business requires that you master your margin and keep expenses down. While the idea of running everything in-house might sound great, it may not be the right fit for your bottom-line. When you hire an MSP, your monthly IT costs will be consistent. This will allow you to budget correctly and plan more adequately for the growth of your business.

To find out if outsourcing your IT to a managed service provider is the right fit for your business, please feel free to reach out to a SDTEK team member for more information.

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.