When you outsource your IT, one thing that is very important to cover is security monitoring. Your network cannot have the risk of being compromised by outside nefarious forces. No, these nefarious forces aren’t supervillains, but the damage they can leave behind can be just as devastating to your business. Network security monitoring is the collection, analysis, and escalation of indications and warnings to detect and respond to intrusions. A strategy should be put into place for your business where your systems are being monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to ensure the safety of your business data. CNN released an article last year, stating “Five out of six large companies were targeted by cybercriminals, a 40% rise on the previous year”.
Within the grand scheme of security monitoring, your managed IT service provider should promise more just traditional solutions. Traditional solutions for your desktop computers, copiers, and other devices hardwired into your network should be included, of course. These traditional solutions, like, firewalls, antivirus, malware-removal software, and IDS are all important to have in place and be ran efficiently. However, your provider should also have a strategy in place for when outside devices are brought in to the network wirelessly, like smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
When you begin shopping for a managed IT service provider, search for someone who is capable of handling your hardwired network and your wireless devices. A threat against your network isn’t one to take lightly.
Source: http://money.cnn.com/2015/04/14/technology/security/cyber-attack-hacks-security/