Category: IT SERVICES

IT Security Services

Posted on by Admin Thomas SEO

As businesses continue to embrace digital transformation, the need to protect sensitive data, secure networks, and ensure the integrity of systems has grown exponentially. Cyber threats are evolving at a rapid pace, making it essential for organizations to implement robust IT security measures to safeguard their operations and maintain customer trust. Without these services, businesses risk facing devastating consequences, including financial losses, reputational damage, and legal repercussions.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of IT security services, offering valuable insights into their significance, the various types, and how they can be effectively implemented within an organization. Whether you are a business owner, IT professional, or someone interested in understanding the intricacies of cybersecurity, this guide will equip you with the knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of IT security.

Throughout this article, we will explore the foundational aspects of IT security, including the different types of security measures, the key components of an IT security program, and the importance of having a well-structured security plan. We will also explore the role of IT security in protecting businesses, discuss common security concerns, and highlight the reasons why a strong IT security framework is vital for any organization. Finally, we will provide insights into choosing the right IT security services that align with your business needs and how these services can support your long-term success.

Table of Contents

What is IT Security Services?

IT Security Services

IT security services encompass a broad range of practices, technologies, and strategies designed to protect an organization’s digital assets from unauthorized access, attacks, and damage.

IT Security Services Components

IT security services are composed of various elements that work together to create a robust defense against cyber threats. These components include:

IT Security Services Components: Network Security
Network Security

Protects the infrastructure of an organization’s network, ensuring that data transmitted across it remains secure. This includes the use of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and virtual private networks (VPNs).

IT Security Services Components: Data Protection
Data Protection

Focuses on securing data from unauthorized access and breaches, both in storage and in transit. Techniques such as encryption, data masking, and access controls are commonly used.

IT Security Services Components: End Point Security
Endpoint Security

Ensures that all devices connected to the network, such as computers, mobile devices, and servers, are protected from malware and unauthorized access. This involves using antivirus software, endpoint detection and response (EDR) systems, and regular patch management.

IT Security Services Components: Application Security
Application Security

Involves securing software applications to prevent vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. This includes practices like secure coding, application firewalls, and routine security testing.

Web developer comparing data on papers and multple screens, working late at night on IT programming analysis. Coder looking at html script and information on clipboard files in office.
Identity and Access Management (IAM)

Manages who has access to resources within the organization, ensuring that only authorized users can access certain data or systems. This typically includes multi-factor authentication (MFA), role-based access controls, and identity verification procedures.

IT Security Services Components IAM
Incident Response

Provides strategies and procedures for responding to and managing security breaches or cyber-attacks. This includes identifying the attack, containing its impact, eradicating the threat, and recovering from the incident.

IT Security Services Components: Incident response
Compliance Management

Ensures that the organization’s IT security measures comply with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or ISO/IEC 27001.

Work with Our
24/7/365 Cyber Team

Contact Us

What are the Four Types of IT Security?

Types of IT Security

Type 1: Network Security

Network security is a critical component of IT security that focuses on protecting the integrity, confidentiality, and accessibility of an organization’s network infrastructure. It involves implementing various technologies, processes, and policies designed to prevent unauthorized access, misuse, modification, or denial of a network and its resources.

Common network security measures include:

firewall icon
Firewalls

These act as barriers between trusted and untrusted networks, controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.

VPN icon
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

VPNs encrypt internet traffic, providing secure remote access to a network and protecting data from interception during transmission.

IDPS icon
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS)

These systems monitor network traffic for suspicious activities and can automatically take action to prevent or mitigate attacks.

network seg icon
Network Segmentation

This practice divides a network into smaller segments, each isolated from the others, to contain potential threats and prevent them from spreading across the entire network.

Type 2: Information Security

Information security (InfoSec) is the practice of protecting data from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. It ensures that sensitive information remains confidential, accurate, and available only to those who have the appropriate permissions. Information security is relevant across all aspects of IT security, as data breaches and leaks can have devastating effects on an organization, leading to financial losses, legal consequences, and damage to reputation.

Common information security measures include:

encryption icon
Encryption

Encrypting data both at rest and in transit ensures that even if data is intercepted or accessed without authorization, it remains unreadable without the correct decryption keys.

DLP icon
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

DLP tools help prevent the unauthorized sharing of sensitive data by monitoring and controlling the flow of information within and outside the organization.

access controls icon
Access Controls

Implementing strong access controls, such as role-based access control (RBAC) and multi-factor authentication (MFA), restricts access to sensitive information to authorized users only.

backup icon
Backup and Recovery

Regularly backing up data and having a robust recovery plan in place ensures that information can be restored in the event of data loss or corruption.

Type 3: Endpoint Security

Endpoint security involves securing end-user devices, such as laptops, desktops, smartphones, and tablets, that connect to the organization’s network. These devices are often the most vulnerable entry points for cyber threats, as they can be easily targeted by malware, phishing attacks, and other malicious activities. Endpoint security is crucial because a compromised endpoint can serve as a gateway for attackers to gain access to the entire network.

Common endpoint security measures include:

antivirus icon
Antivirus and Anti-malware Software

These tools detect and remove malicious software from devices, protecting them from viruses, ransomware, spyware, and other threats.

EDR icon
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

EDR solutions provide continuous monitoring and analysis of endpoint activities to detect and respond to threats in real time.

MDM icon
Mobile Device Management (MDM)

MDM solutions allow organizations to enforce security policies on mobile devices, control app installations, and remotely wipe data if a device is lost or stolen.

Patch Management

Regularly updating and patching software on endpoints helps close security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers.

Type 4: Cloud Security

Cloud security refers to the practices and technologies used to protect data, applications, and services that are hosted in the cloud. As more organizations migrate their operations to cloud platforms, ensuring the security of these environments has become increasingly important. Cloud security is crucial because it safeguards sensitive data stored in the cloud, ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, and protects against data breaches and other cyber threats.

Common cloud security measures include:

Data Encryption

Encrypting data stored and transmitted within cloud environments ensures that it remains secure, even if unauthorized access occurs.

Identity and Access Management (IAM)

IAM tools in the cloud help control who has access to resources and what they can do with them, using mechanisms like role-based access and multi-factor authentication.

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

SIEM solutions provide real-time monitoring and analysis of security events across cloud environments, helping detect and respond to potential threats.

Compliance Monitoring

Cloud security solutions often include tools to help organizations monitor their compliance with industry regulations and standards, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2.

Cloud Service Provider Security Tools

Many cloud providers, like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, offer built-in security tools and services, such as firewalls, encryption services, and security monitoring, to help protect data and applications in the cloud.

Talk to Our Dedicated
Engineering Team

Schedule a Call

What are the Three Basics of IT Security?

Basics of IT Security

IT security is built upon three fundamental principles known as the CIA triad: Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. These principles serve as the foundation for creating robust security strategies that protect an organization’s data and systems from unauthorized access, corruption, and unavailability.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is the principle of keeping sensitive information private and secure from unauthorized access. It ensures that data is only accessible to those who have the appropriate permissions and need to know the information. Maintaining confidentiality is crucial for protecting personal data, intellectual property, and other sensitive information from being exposed to malicious actors, competitors, or the general public.

Integrity

Integrity refers to the accuracy, consistency, and trustworthiness of data throughout its lifecycle. Ensuring integrity means that data has not been altered or tampered with by unauthorized individuals and that it remains accurate and consistent over time. Protecting data integrity is critical for maintaining trust in the information systems that businesses rely on for decision-making and operations.

Availability

Availability ensures that data and systems are accessible and operational when needed. This principle is essential for maintaining business continuity and ensuring that critical operations can proceed without interruption. Availability is particularly important for systems that require real-time access, such as financial services, healthcare, and online commerce.

What Does IT Security Include?

IT Security

IT security is a comprehensive field that encompasses various measures designed to protect an organization’s digital assets, systems, and data from a wide range of threats. These measures work together to create a robust defense against unauthorized access, cyberattacks, and data breaches. Here’s an overview of the key components that IT security includes:

Physical Security

Physical security is the first line of defense in IT security, focusing on protecting the physical infrastructure that supports an organization’s digital operations. This includes securing data centers, server rooms, and other critical facilities from unauthorized access, theft, or damage.

Network Security

Network security is a critical aspect of IT security that involves protecting the integrity, confidentiality, and accessibility of an organization’s network. This includes safeguarding data as it moves across the network and preventing unauthorized access or attacks.

Application Security

Application security focuses on securing the software applications used by an organization from vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. Since applications often serve as entry points for cyber threats, ensuring their security is vital.

Data Security

Data security is centered around protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. Given the increasing value of data in today’s digital economy, securing it is a top priority for any organization.

Incident Response

Incident response is a crucial component of IT security, focusing on how an organization detects, responds to, and recovers from security incidents, such as data breaches, cyberattacks, or system failures. A well-defined incident response plan helps minimize the damage caused by an incident and ensures a swift recovery.

Work with Our
24/7/365 Cyber Team

Contact Us

What is an IT Security Program?

IT Security Program

An IT security program is a comprehensive and systematic approach to managing an organization’s information security. It encompasses all the policies, procedures, tools, and strategies that an organization uses to protect its digital assets, such as data, networks, applications, and systems, from various cyber threats. An IT security program is designed to identify, mitigate, and manage risks to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of an organization’s information.

A robust IT security program consists of several key components that work together to create a comprehensive defense against security threats. These components include:

Policies and Procedures

Documented policies and procedures form the backbone of an IT security program. They provide clear guidelines and rules for how information security is to be managed within the organization. These documents define the security standards, roles, and responsibilities of employees, as well as the processes to be followed to protect digital assets.

Training and Awareness

Training and awareness are essential components of an IT security program, as employees are often the first line of defense against cyber threats. Even the most advanced security measures can be undermined if employees are not aware of the risks or do not know how to recognize and respond to security threats.

Monitoring and Auditing

Monitoring and auditing are critical for ensuring that the IT security program is functioning effectively and that any potential threats are detected and addressed promptly.

  • Continuous Monitoring: Involves the real-time tracking of network traffic, system activities, and user behavior to identify any unusual or suspicious activities. Tools like intrusion detection systems (IDS), security information and event management (SIEM) systems, and log management solutions are commonly used to monitor the IT environment.
  • Regular Audits: Conducting regular security audits helps organizations assess the effectiveness of their security controls, identify vulnerabilities, and ensure compliance with policies and regulations. Audits may be performed internally or by external third parties to provide an objective evaluation of the overall security posture.
  • Vulnerability Assessments: Regularly scanning systems and networks for vulnerabilities helps organizations identify and address potential weaknesses before they can be exploited by attackers.

Goals

The primary goals of an IT security program are to protect the organization’s digital assets, ensure business continuity, and maintain compliance with relevant regulations. These goals can be broken down into the following objectives:

  • Confidentiality: Ensuring that sensitive information is accessible only to authorized individuals and is protected from unauthorized access or disclosure.
  • Integrity: Maintaining the accuracy and consistency of data and systems, ensuring that information is not altered or tampered with in an unauthorized manner.
  • Availability: Ensuring that data, applications, and systems are accessible when needed, minimizing downtime and ensuring business operations can continue without interruption.
  • Risk Management: Identifying, assessing, and mitigating security risks to reduce the likelihood and impact of potential threats.
  • Compliance: Meeting legal, regulatory, and industry requirements related to information security, ensuring that the organization adheres to the necessary standards and frameworks.

What is an IT Security Plan?

IT Security Plan

An IT security plan is a strategic document that outlines the specific measures and actions an organization will take to protect its IT infrastructure, data, and digital assets from cyber threats. It serves as a roadmap for implementing security policies, procedures, and controls to mitigate risks and ensure the security of the organization’s IT environment. The IT security plan is a critical component of an organization’s overall security program, providing clear guidance on how to achieve and maintain a strong security posture.

The role of an IT security plan within an organization is to ensure that all aspects of information security are systematically addressed, from identifying potential threats to implementing appropriate safeguards and responding to security incidents. It helps organizations align their security efforts with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.

Your Dedicated IT & Cybersecurity Team

Contact Us

What are the Main Categories of IT Security Concerns?

Categories of IT Security

Data Breaches

Data breaches occur when unauthorized individuals gain access to sensitive information, leading to potential financial loss, reputational damage, and legal repercussions. High-profile examples include the Equifax breach, which exposed the personal data of over 147 million people, and the Marriott breach, affecting 500 million customers. The consequences of such breaches often include significant financial penalties, loss of customer trust, and costly remediation efforts.

Malware and Ransomware

Malware and ransomware are malicious software programs designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to systems. Ransomware, in particular, encrypts data and demands payment for its release. Notable incidents include the WannaCry attack, which impacted hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide. Protecting against these threats involves using robust antivirus software, regularly updating systems, and maintaining secure backups to restore data if needed.

Phishing and Social Engineering

Phishing and social engineering attacks trick individuals into divulging sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial details, by posing as trustworthy entities. These attacks are often conducted via email or phone. Prevention strategies include educating employees on recognizing phishing attempts, using email filtering tools, and implementing multi-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security.

Insider Threats

Insider threats arise from employees, contractors, or other trusted individuals who misuse their access to harm the organization, whether intentionally or accidentally. These threats can be particularly challenging to detect. Mitigation strategies include implementing strict access controls, monitoring user activity, and fostering a security-conscious culture through regular training and awareness programs.

Why is IT Security Important?

IT Security Important

IT security is a critical aspect of modern business operations, safeguarding organizations from the significant risks associated with cyber threats. The importance of IT security can be understood through its impact on financial stability, reputation management, legal compliance, and operational efficiency.

Financial Impact

Weak IT security can lead to devastating financial consequences. Data breaches, ransomware attacks, and other cyber incidents can result in direct costs such as fines, legal fees, and the expense of repairing and restoring compromised systems. Additionally, organizations may face indirect costs, including loss of business due to damaged customer trust.

Reputation Management

A company’s reputation is one of its most valuable assets, and IT security failures can cause lasting damage. When a data breach occurs, customers may lose confidence in the organization’s ability to protect their personal information, leading to a loss of business.

Legal and Compliance Issues

The legal implications of failing to protect data can be severe, with organizations facing regulatory penalties, lawsuits, and loss of certifications.

Operational Efficiency

Good IT security practices are essential for ensuring the smooth operation of business processes. Cyberattacks can disrupt operations, leading to downtime, loss of productivity, and delays in service delivery.

Take Your IT to the Next Level with FIT Solutions.

Contact Us

Security Services That Fit Your Journey

Security Services

In today’s dynamic business environment, one-size-fits-all IT security solutions are rarely sufficient. Every organization has unique needs, risks, and goals, making tailored IT security services essential for effective protection. By customizing security strategies to align with specific business requirements, companies can ensure that they are adequately protected against the threats most relevant to their operations, while also supporting their long-term objectives.

Tailored IT Security Solutions

Customized IT managed security services are critical for addressing the diverse challenges faced by different industries and business sizes. For instance, a small business may require a straightforward approach to protect its network and data, while a large enterprise may need a more complex solution that includes advanced threat detection, incident response, and regulatory compliance. By tailoring security measures to fit the specific context of a business, organizations can focus their resources on the areas where they are most needed, ensuring optimal protection and efficiency.

Choosing the Right IT Security Partner

Selecting the right IT security service provider is crucial for ensuring that your business receives the tailored solutions it needs. When evaluating potential partners, consider the following criteria:

  • Expertise: Look for a provider with deep expertise in your industry and a proven track record of delivering successful security solutions.
  • Flexibility: Choose a provider that offers adaptable managed services capable of scaling with your business as it grows or as your needs change.
  • Customer-Centric Approach: A good provider will prioritize understanding your specific needs and will work closely with you to develop customized solutions.
  • Proactive Support: Ensure that the provider offers ongoing support and monitoring to quickly address any emerging threats or changes in your security landscape.

 

FIT Solutions team

FIT Solutions stands out as a trusted IT security specialists that prioritize customer-centric, adaptive solutions. With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by businesses across various industries, FIT Solutions offers tailored cybersecurity services that align with your unique journey. Whether you are a small business looking for foundational security measures or a large enterprise needing complex, multi-layered protection, FIT Solutions has the expertise and flexibility to deliver the right solution for you. Their proactive approach ensures that your security strategy evolves as your business grows and as new threats emerge.

Whether your focus is healthcare IT, enterprise IT, or cloud services, our team of certified professionals is committed to ensuring your IT infrastructure services are robust, secure, and perfectly aligned with your business goals. Don’t let IT challenges slow you down. Reach out to FIT Solutions today to find out how our services can transform your business operations. Let us help you achieve your technology goals with ease and efficiency.

Contact us now and let’s get started!

Are you experiencing a breach right now?

Contact Us

IT Services

Posted on by Admin Thomas SEO

In the modern business world, Information Technology (IT) services are a must have. These services encompass a broad spectrum of support functions crucial for the efficient and secure operation of businesses in various sectors. From managing vital data and supporting infrastructural needs to enhancing cybersecurity measures and providing essential technical assistance, IT services are foundational to the day-to-day operations.

As enterprises increasingly depend on digital tools and platforms to conduct their operations, the demand for proficient IT support escalates. Effective IT services help prevent and resolve technical disruptions, enable adaptation to new technologies, safeguard against cyber threats, and maintain a competitive edge in a technology-driven marketplace.

Specializing in a wide range of IT services, professional IT service providers are equipped to meet the diverse needs of different organizations. They focus on delivering reliable, secure, and scalable solutions, ensuring that businesses can leverage the full potential of their technological investments. Whether it’s through managed IT services, cloud solutions, or cybersecurity, these providers are essential partners in empowering businesses to navigate and thrive in the digital era.

Table of Contents

What is Information Technology Support Services?

IT Support Services

Information Technology (IT) support services are crucial components of modern business infrastructure, designed to ensure that an organization’s technology assets are continuously operational, efficient, and secure. These services encompass a range of activities that facilitate the use of technology through various forms of support, troubleshooting, and management. The primary objective is to minimize downtime, optimize system performance, and ensure that technological resources contribute effectively to business objectives.

Types of IT Support Services

IT support services can be broadly categorized into several types, with services tailored to different business needs and operational strategies:

Types of IT Services
On-site Support

This traditional form of IT support involves technicians visiting the business location to resolve complex hardware or software issues that cannot be handled remotely. It is essential for solving critical physical infrastructure problems that require direct intervention.

Onsite IT Services
Remote Support

Remote IT support allows technicians to access a company’s systems through the internet to diagnose and fix problems. This type is beneficial for immediate response needs and for businesses with multiple locations, providing quick resolutions to software-related issues without the need for on-site visits.

Remote IT Services
Helpdesk Services

Operating as the first point of contact for IT inquiries, helpdesk services handle immediate employee concerns and questions. They provide troubleshooting assistance, password resets, and guidance on using applications and hardware, usually through phone calls, email, or chat systems.

Role of IT Support in Business Operations

The role of IT support in business operations extends beyond just fixing technical issues. It plays a pivotal role in:

Ensuring Operational Continuity
Ensuring Operational Continuity

IT support helps in maintaining the continuity of business operations by minimizing downtime and ensuring that critical business systems are always available and functional.

Enhancing Productivity
Enhancing Productivity

By swiftly addressing technical issues, IT support ensures that employees face minimal disruptions to their work, thereby enhancing overall productivity.

Facilitating Scalability
Facilitating Scalability

Effective IT support adapts to the growing needs of a business, ensuring that technological growth aligns with business expansion plans.

Improving Security
Improving Security

With cyber threats on the rise, IT support plays a crucial role in implementing and maintaining robust security measures to protect sensitive data and prevent breaches.

Work with Our
24/7/365 Cyber Team

Contact Us

Why are IT Services Important?

Importance of IT Services

Information Technology (IT) services are not just functional necessities but strategic assets that significantly enhance the performance and scalability of businesses. Their importance spans several key areas that collectively boost operational efficiency and safeguard organizational interests.

Enhancing Business Efficiency and Productivity

IT services streamline and automate core business processes, reducing the time and effort required to accomplish tasks. Through the integration of advanced technologies like cloud computing, machine learning, and automated data analysis, businesses can achieve higher efficiency levels.

This technology enables employees to focus on more strategic tasks rather than spending time on routine manual processes. Moreover, IT solutions such as collaborative tools and mobile technology enhance communication and allow for more flexible working environments, which can significantly boost productivity and employee satisfaction.

Reducing Downtime and Managing Risk

One of the critical functions of IT services is to minimize system downtime, which can have dire financial and reputational consequences for a business. Regular maintenance, timely updates, and effective management of IT infrastructure ensure that systems run smoothly and are less prone to failures.

Additionally, IT services include proactive monitoring of systems to detect and address potential issues before they cause disruptions. This aspect of IT not only deals with operational resilience but also encompasses cybersecurity measures that protect businesses from data breaches, cyber-attacks, and other security threats, thus managing risk comprehensively.

Enabling Scalability and Supporting Business Growth

As businesses grow, their IT needs become more complex and demanding. IT services play a crucial role in scaling operations efficiently to meet these increasing demands without compromising performance or security.

Scalable IT solutions such as cloud services allow businesses to expand their IT capabilities quickly and cost-effectively as they grow, without the need for substantial upfront investments in physical infrastructure. This flexibility is vital for businesses aiming to adapt quickly to market changes or expand into new markets.

The Goal of IT Services

Goal of IT Services

The overarching goal of IT services is to optimize the operational efficiency and security of an organization, ensuring that all components of the IT infrastructure outsourcing work seamlessly and securely to support business objectives. This involves several critical aspects, each aimed at maintaining the health and effectiveness of technology systems within the company.

Ensuring System Reliability and Uptime

At the heart of IT services is the commitment to system reliability and uptime. This means ensuring that all systems are operational and available when needed, which is vital for the continuity of business operations.

IT services achieve this through regular maintenance schedules, real-time monitoring, and rapid response capabilities that minimize downtime and resolve issues swiftly. By prioritizing system reliability, IT services help businesses avoid the operational delays and financial losses associated with system outages.

Protecting Data and Ensuring Cybersecurity

Data is one of the most valuable assets a company can possess, and protecting this data is a crucial goal of IT services. This involves implementing robust cybersecurity measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits. These measures are designed to protect against external threats like hacking and phishing, as well as internal threats such as accidental data breaches or misuse. Moreover, IT services ensure compliance with data protection regulations, which is essential for maintaining the trust of customers and avoiding legal penalties.

Supporting End-User Needs and Technical Challenges

IT services extend beyond merely maintaining hardware and software; they crucially support the individuals who utilize these technologies daily. This support includes offering helpdesk services that provide end-users with timely and effective solutions to their technical problems, crucial for maintaining both productivity and satisfaction.

Moreover, IT services continually adapt to meet the evolving needs of end-users by integrating the latest tools and technologies, including software development. This commitment ensures that every member of the organization can utilize IT resources efficiently and securely, fostering an environment where technological tools are effectively matched with user competency and security requirements.

Your Dedicated IT & Cybersecurity Team

Contact Us

Managed IT Services

Managed IT Services

Managed IT services involve the delegation of IT tasks and operations to a third-party provider who oversees and manages these responsibilities. This model differs from traditional IT support in that it provides businesses with a comprehensive suite of business process services that cover all aspects of IT management, including monitoring, maintenance, security, and support, under a single contract.

Explanation of Managed IT Services

Managed IT services adopt a proactive approach to IT management, focusing not only on resolving issues as they emerge but also on preventing them. This method includes the continuous monitoring and management of IT infrastructure, crucial for both network management and network security.

By outsourcing these responsibilities, companies gain access to specialized skills and advanced technologies, which are essential for maintaining network security and managing network traffic and performance. This strategy ensures that systems are always up-to-date through regular updates and patches and helps businesses reduce the costs associated with maintaining a full in-house IT team, allowing them to benefit from round-the-clock expert oversight without the overhead.

Benefits of Outsourcing IT Tasks

Outsourcing IT tasks to a managed service provider comes with several advantages:

Access to Technical Expertise
Access to Technical Expertise

MSPs offer access to teams of IT professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, ensuring that all aspects of a company’s IT needs are handled expertly.

Focus on Core Business Functions
Focus on Core Business Functions

With IT responsibilities handled by a third party, a company’s internal teams are free to focus more on strategic growth initiatives and core business functions, rather than spending time on routine IT management tasks.

Reduced Costs
Reduced Costs

Hiring and training an in-house IT services team can be costly. Managed IT services typically come at a fixed monthly cost, which is often less than the expense of maintaining a comparable team internally. Additionally, the cost predictability helps in better financial planning.

Improved Security
Improved Security

MSPs are equipped to provide high-level security measures, compliance checks, and regular updates. This comprehensive security services management protects businesses from the growing number of cyber threats.

How Managed Services Can Be Cost-Effective and Increase Operational Efficiency

Managed IT services streamline a company’s IT operations in several ways, making them not only cost-effective but also enhancing overall operational efficiency:

Managed IT services
Economies of Scale

MSPs can leverage economies of scale that individual companies may not be able to achieve on their own, providing superior technology and services at a lower cost.

IT Service
Proactive Problem Resolution

The proactive nature of managed services means issues are often identified and resolved before they can impact business operations, significantly reducing downtime and associated costs.

Scalability of IT Services
Scalability

Managed services are easily scalable to accommodate business growth or changing needs without significant delays or upgrades to existing infrastructure.

Take Your IT to the Next Level with FIT Solutions.

Contact Us

Should I Use IT Services?

Should I Use IT Services

Deciding whether to utilize the IT services market is a critical decision for many businesses, especially as the reliance on technology grows. Understanding the situations that necessitate professional IT services, the benefits of business process outsourcing versus maintaining an in-house team, and seeing real-world impacts can help make this decision clearer.

Situations That Necessitate Professional IT Services

Professional IT services become essential in various scenarios:

Rapid Business Growth
Rapid Business Growth

As companies expand, their IT needs become more complex, requiring professional management to ensure seamless operation.

Security and Compliance Needs
Security and Compliance Needs

Businesses handling sensitive data or those under strict regulatory standards need robust security measures that professional IT services can provide.

Limited Internal Resources
Limited Internal Resources

Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often lack the resources to staff a full-time IT department. Outsourcing can provide these businesses with access to expert services without the overhead.

Technological Complexity
Technological Complexity

Organizations using advanced or specialized technology might require the expertise that only specialized IT service providers can offer.

Comparison of In-House IT vs. Outsourced IT Services

Managed IT services streamline a company’s IT operations in several ways, making them not only cost-effective but also enhancing overall operational efficiency:

In-House IT Service
In-House IT:
  • Pros: Direct control over IT activities; potential for faster response times to in-house issues; easier integration with internal processes and culture.
  • Cons: Higher costs due to salaries, training, and benefits; difficulty in managing a wide range of expertise; resource limitations in scaling quickly.
Outsourced IT Services
Outsourced IT Services:
  • Pros: Cost-efficiency through reduced overhead; access to a broader range of expertise and advanced technologies; scalability to adjust to changing needs; typically stronger cybersecurity measures.
  • Cons: Potential challenges with vendor coordination and communication; less day-to-day control over IT operations.

Case Studies or Examples Where IT Services Have Made a Difference

Case Study 1: Healthcare Provider
Case Study 1: Healthcare Provider

A regional healthcare provider was facing difficulties managing their patient data securely and complying with healthcare regulations. After transitioning to managed IT services, they not only secured their data but also streamlined patient management processes, resulting in higher patient satisfaction and compliance with health regulations.

Case Study 2: E-commerce Startup
Case Study 2: E-commerce Startup

An e-commerce startup experienced rapid growth and needed to scale its operations quickly to handle increased traffic and data volume. By outsourcing their IT needs, they were able to implement scalable cloud solutions that accommodated growth without downtime or performance issues, thus ensuring a smooth customer experience.

Case Study 3: Financial Services Firm
Case Study 3: Financial Services Firm

A financial services firm needed to ensure utmost security and data integrity to protect client information and meet financial regulatory requirements. Professional IT services provided them with robust cybersecurity measures and regular compliance audits, significantly reducing their risk of data breaches and non-compliance penalties.

Talk to Our Dedicated
Engineering Team

Schedule a Call

How to Choose the Right IT Service Provider

Choose the Right IT Service Provider

Selecting the right IT service provider is a critical decision for businesses, as it can significantly impact their operational efficiency and security. Here are key factors to consider, the importance of qualifications like certifications and experience, and how to effectively evaluate testimonials and case studies.

Factors to Consider When Selecting an IT Service Provider

Services Offered
Services Offered

Ensure the provider offers a range of services that match your specific IT needs. This could include cloud services, cybersecurity, data management, and support services.

Industry Expertise
Industry Expertise

Look for providers with experience in your specific industry. They are more likely to understand your unique challenges and compliance requirements.

Scalability
Scalability

The provider should be able to scale services up or down based on your business growth and changing needs.

Security Measures
Security Measures

Given the rising cyber threats, ensure the provider has robust security protocols and can demonstrate their effectiveness.

Service Level Agreement (SLA)
Service Level Agreement (SLA)

The SLA should clearly outline the performance and response standards you can expect, including resolution times and uptime guarantees.

Pricing Structure
Pricing Structure

Understand how services are billed — whether it’s a flat fee, per-user, or usage-based — and ensure it aligns with your budget and expectations for service.

Importance of Certifications, Experience, and Customer Support

IT Service Certifications
Certifications

Professional certifications from reputable institutions indicate a provider’s commitment to maintaining the highest industry standards. Certifications such as ISO/IEC 27001 for security, or specific technical certifications like those from Microsoft or Cisco, are indicators of a qualified provider.

IT Service Experience
Experience

Years of operation and the breadth of client base can indicate reliability and depth of expertise. Providers with long-term clients and experience across various technologies and challenges are likely to offer more dependable and versatile services.

IT Service Customer Support
Customer Support

Effective support is crucial. Providers should offer 24/7 support and multiple channels of communication, such as phone, email, and chat. The quality of customer support can often be the deciding factor in the event of an IT crisis.

Evaluating Testimonials and Case Studies

IT Services Testimonials
Testimonials

Look for client testimonials on the provider’s website and third-party review platforms. Pay attention to mentions of reliability, communication, and problem resolution.

IT Services Case Studies
Case Studies

These provide insight into the provider’s approach and the effectiveness of their solutions in real-world scenarios. Evaluate how the provider has addressed challenges similar to those your business faces and the outcomes of their interventions.

IT Services References
References

Don’t hesitate to ask for references from existing clients. Speaking directly to current customers can provide an unfiltered view of what to expect and how the provider handles ongoing relationships and challenges.

Choosing the right IT service provider involves a thorough evaluation of their capabilities, reliability, and fit with your business needs. By carefully considering these factors, you can form a partnership that not only supports but enhances your business operations.

Looking for a Best in Class IT Service Provider?

IT Services FIT Solutions team

Ready to take your business technology to the next level? FIT Solutions is here to help. With extensive experience in Managed IT, Cybersecurity, and a range of other IT services, FIT Solutions provides comprehensive solutions designed to increase efficiency by up to 40%, reduce IT costs and downtime, and enhance security against cyber threats.

Whether your focus is healthcare IT, enterprise IT, or cloud services, our team of certified professionals is committed to ensuring your IT infrastructure services are robust, secure, and perfectly aligned with your business goals. Don’t let IT challenges slow you down. Reach out to FIT Solutions today to find out how our services can transform your business operations. Let us help you achieve your technology goals with ease and efficiency.

Contact us now and let’s get started!

Are you experiencing a breach right now?

Contact Us

PRESS RELEASE: SOCBOX Changes Its Name to FIT Cybersecurity in Major Rebrand

Posted on by Megan Haley

Network Security Provider Joins Sister Company FIT Solutions

San Diego, California, November 30, 2021 – SOCBOX has announced its name change to FIT Cybersecurity, joining its sister company FIT Solutions in a major rebrand. Founded in 2012 by CEO Ephraim Ebstein, the company is approaching its ten-year anniversary of helping organizations achieve their business goals through technology. FIT, which stands for Freedom Information Technologies, serves as an acronym uniting both brands under the same leadership and core values. Though the companies will remain separate entities along with their technical teams, Ebstein’s goal was to provide a more streamlined experience for clients and partners.

FIT Cybersecurity prides itself on providing quality solutions to critical industries such as legal, financial, education, healthcare and manufacturing. Ebstein shared the fundamental principles of the business: “FIT Solutions was created because of our desire to impact as many lives as possible for the better. This meant two things: creating opportunities for the team we care for dearly, and solving business problems for our clients to help those organizations achieve their objectives,” he said. “FIT Solutions looks to work with organizations that also have big goals so that together, we can help extend the reach to help as many people as possible.”

Unlike many of its competitors, FIT Cybersecurity offers an around-the-clock team of expert analysts, a human element that differentiates the company from others in the marketplace. “Most offerings on the market are proprietary tools that send alerts when incidents or suspicious activity are detected. Addressing such alerts still requires a human on your team to investigate and decide whether further action is necessary. Many organizations try to handle this in-house, but quickly realize that a single employee, even full-time, cannot properly monitor and manage the security tools because of 24/7 limitations,” Ebstein said. “We take care of that for you by acting as your 24/7 cybersecurity team, monitoring and managing whatever tools and systems you have in place for a fraction of the fully-burdened resources needed to handle it in-house. We investigate any activity or alerts, and take the appropriate action to deal with any security incident.”

FIT specializes in serving long-term healthcare facilities and law firms, both of which need solid IT and cybersecurity strategies. As Ebstein stated, “Technology and Cybersecurity are like the ‘tires and brakes’ of an organization. It is critical that they work well, especially the faster the organization moves. Those two services will determine whether an organization will be able to achieve its goals.”

However, the disparate branding had caused confusion for prospective partners, which Ebstein hopes to alleviate with the rebrand. “Our IT and cybersecurity offerings are very different and are operated by different technical teams. Despite that, our core values and the philosophy and processes used to deliver results are the same,” he said. When asked which businesses should consider FIT Solutions as their service provider of choice, he answered, “Businesses that are focused on growth, that are tired of having IT and cybersecurity issues and want the best value for their investment. Organizations that are focused on securing their assets and utilizing technology to allow them to scale successfully should have a conversation with us.”

Ebstein urges potential clients to research FIT Solutions to learn more. “The best way to see what it’s like to be a FIT partner is to look at our Google reviews. Two of our core values are ‘Raving Fan Culture’ (based on a book by Ken Blanchard) and ‘Results-Driven.’ This means it is in our DNA to overdeliver and, even when mistakes happen, to deliver results,” he said.

 

About FIT Cybersecurity: Formerly known as SOCBOX, FIT Cybersecurity is a subsidiary of FIT Solutions, offering a team of world-class cybersecurity experts dedicated to helping clients protect their valuable assets. In doing so, they combine a state-of-the-art Security Operations Center (SOC) with the best cybersecurity tools and managed security services available. FIT Cybersecurity becomes an organization’s cybersecurity team, monitoring the environment 24/7 to detect and prevent cyberthreats. Learn more here.

4 Reasons Your Business Needs a VCIO

Posted on by CT Team

As businesses grow, that trajectory usually isn’t a straight, steady line. Without careful planning, those forward steps may be marked by major growing pains. Is your IT environment equipped to support your organization as it matures? The CIO, or Chief Information Officer, is responsible for providing high-level technical consulting—evaluating the big picture and making recommendations to smooth that growth path.

The Role of the CIO

Your CIO handles large-scale projects and IT needs. Let’s say you’re looking at moving your on-premise infrastructure into the cloud. This kind of major migration project takes a lot of coordination: rallying the troops, directing the engineers, getting the proper resources, and architecting how it will work from a business perspective as well as on the technical side. How will operations be affected? What will it cost? What risks are involved? These are all questions to which your CIO can provide answers.

Much of a CIO’s job deals with risk. What business problem are we trying to solve? What are the possible solutions? What are the risks and benefits of each? A CIO evaluates your options, makes a recommendation, and oversees the project to completion.

What about organizations that cannot afford (or don’t yet need) a full-time CIO in-house? How can you get the expertise of a CIO that knows your environment, but on a part-time basis?

Four Benefits of a VCIO

Businesses can outsource this consultant position to a VCIO, or Virtual CIO. Why go the virtual route?

  1. Cost Savings. Between salary and benefits, a full-time, in-house CIO may cost you between $100k-$300k/yr. A virtual CIO is just a fraction of this; for smaller businesses that don’t need a full-time CIO, outsourcing this role makes more sense. Partnering with a VCIO means you don’t have to choose between overpaying and sacrificing that valuable insight.
  2. Perspective. A true VCIO partner will get to know your business inside and out, becoming nearly indistinguishable from your in-house team. However, since they also work with other clients in a variety of industries, they bring that experience to the table in finding creative solutions to your business problems.
  3. Consulting. A VCIO conducts regular technology business planning. This should be a living document, outlining the opportunities, potential pain points, and recommended solutions for your environment over the next 3-24 months.
  4. Disaster Recovery Planning. Disaster recovery and business continuity are a regular part of business planning, but they’ve become especially urgent during the current pandemic crisis. This is one of the areas that showed the starkest contrast between organizations that had CIO or VCIO services and those that didn’t. As various areas went into lockdown or similar restrictions, did you have the necessary infrastructure for your team to work remotely? Do you have it now? If your team is still working remotely, can they access company data securely and without compromising compliance? What other kinds of disasters might your organization face? A VCIO creates contingency plans that prepare you for all situations.

A virtual CIO partner is an invaluable asset to your business. At FIT Solutions, our VCIO services are bundled with our managed IT services, providing you with both the technology and the high-level consulting you need to achieve a steady growth path. Give us a call at 888-339-5694 or contact us today to see how a VCIO can benefit your organization.

“I Passed My Compliance Audit; Now What?”

Posted on by CT Team

It’s that time again—time for your compliance audit. Depending on your business, it might be an annual audit from a government or regulatory entity, or it may be requested by someone with whom you’re about to do business—a prospective vendor, partner or client.

What’s involved in this audit? And if you pass, does that mean you’re good to go? What’s the next step?

What Is a Compliance Audit?

A compliance audit is a set of questions designed to make sure that you are complying with industry or federal regulations. Most often, these are related to security of information. The type of information varies, but the ultimate goal is the same: making sure that your organization is taking the appropriate steps to ensure the safety of the data that has been entrusted to you.

Audits across different industries ask different questions. A healthcare compliance audit will be looking for HIPAA metrics—steps taken to safeguard protected health information (PHI). Brokers are subject to FINRA compliance audits to ensure security in the financial industry, and organizations that contract with the government must comply with NIST requirements for cybersecurity.

Compliance audits average between 100-200 questions, most of which are highly technical and are best answered by your IT team or resource. It’s not a black-and-white pass/fail scenario, though. Since audits may vary not only by industry, but even from company to company, not every question will apply to your business. For example, a healthcare organization may send a HIPAA compliance audit to a potential vendor, but since the vendor doesn’t handle any PHI, many of the questions won’t apply. This doesn’t mean that the two can’t do business together; rather, it supports an informed discussion about their partnership.

If I Passed, That Means I’m Secure, Right?

Not exactly. As Anthony, one of our FIT engineers, explains, it’s just a first step. Compliance audits are concerned with different aspects of your business and environment, but not EVERY aspect. Some areas of your network are not included, but could still pose a vulnerability in your security.

Plus, most audit questions are not a simple pass/fail; you may have passed, but with the equivalent of a C. Think of your compliance audit as a report card—an assessment of where you’re at, and where you can improve. Once you identify those areas, what do you do about them?

Next Steps

Your compliance audit helps you develop a TBP, or Technology Business Plan, for what adjustments or improvements your IT environment needs over the next 3-24 months. Areas that barely passed or didn’t pass will be the primary areas of focus for your IT team, and can spur projects or other resolutions to help strengthen and streamline your network.

Since the main focus of compliance audits is security, take a good look at the cybersecurity measures you have in place. New threats emerge every day, so it takes a proactive approach and constant vigilance to counter attacks and defend against new vulnerabilities and exploits.

At FIT Solutions, we are your go-to IT resource. We complete compliance audits for you and make recommendations based on the results. We also help prepare your environment to meet and repel cyberattacks. Give us a call today at 888-339-5694 or contact [email protected] to see what elite IT service is like.

Measuring KPIs: Do Your Actions Align With Your Vision?

Posted on by CT Team

From the FIT Leadership Team

We always strive to be fair, both to our clients and to our employees, and to create the best environment in which to work. We also strongly believe in bringing what makes this team wonderful to more businesses without compromising on quality. To accomplish that, we need to grow—both in quantity and quality.

As some of our most senior employees will tell you, FIT Solutions has always been on a growth trajectory. From our ‘garage-operation’ days until now, we’ve consistently looked for ways to grow and improve. There is no point where you have nothing left to learn or improve, so as the leadership team, we try to set an example of taking in knowledge, seeking out counsel and coaching, and holding ourselves to a higher standard every day.

As part of that constant refinement process, over the last year we’ve put increased focus on strengthening the foundation of our organization: our vision, our mission, and our core values. These make us who we are as a company, shape our team, and define more clearly our passion for solving business problems for our clients. Having the entire team on the same page when it comes to where we’re headed and how we plan to get there has been of immeasurable value.

With growth, though, often comes growing pains. We do our best to take these as the positive indicators they are of movement in the right direction. One of our core values is to stay humble and adaptable. The humility is essential to recognize where we have room for improvement, and the adaptability is vital to survive and thrive in an ever-evolving technological landscape. Those qualities are what move us to seek out opportunities to better ourselves as leaders, as partners, and as problem-solvers.

Over the past few months, we’ve been examining how we track and achieve goals within our organization. Exercising that core value of humility helped us to identify the need for an adjustment.

As humans, what we believe in and what we care about don’t always align with our behavior. For example, we may be interested in being healthy, and we may believe strongly that being fit or exercising regularly is important for good health—but are we acting in harmony with that belief? Do we take regular, methodical action to improve our diet or exercise routine? This is not always the case.

Similarly, the things we believe in at FIT—growth, adapting, creating the best environment—are not always evidenced by our actions. To be clear, we’re not talking about our team! We love our people and are very proud of everything they do. Rather, what we’re discussing here is a commitment by us, as the leadership team, to align our actions more closely with our vision.

Successful sports teams are often spoke of as being “tight”: operating like clockwork, moving efficiently and effectively, not wasting time or energy on actions that don’t align with the ultimate goal of winning. A team gets “tight” when its coach sets clear expectations and motivates his players to meet and exceed these goals. Why are the best athletes drawn to such a coach? Because through that guidance, players are able to achieve far more than they thought possible. A great coach helps athletes refine their skills and makes a workable environment for improvement and success.

Setting clear expectations and goals for our team members dignifies each individual and allows for constructive conversation. We encourage each employee to make a habit of regularly writing down their goals—personal, professional, and financial—and discussing these with their team lead in 1×1 meetings to see how FIT can help them reach those goals.

In line with this, we are introducing new KPIs, or key performance indicators, for each department and team. We already have some KPIs in place, but they are not always closely aligned with our vision and with the specific goals of each department. Returning to our sports example, the entire team may follow a common workout regimen. But if the quarterback’s goal is to get more touchdowns, and we know that running sprints gives him an edge on the field, then having him run sprints is in harmony with that goal. At first it may feel uncomfortable or difficult, but with practice, it becomes habit, improving his on-field performance.

At the end of the day, our ultimate goal is to do right by the people that depend on us—our clients and partners, our employees and their families, and our clients’ employees and families. In everything we do, we keep in mind the responsibility that we have towards this multitude of people.

If you are looking for an elite IT partner that is committed to catapulting your business to success, give us a call today at 888-339-5694.

“I’ve Got an IT Team; Why Do I Need a Managed Service Provider?”

Posted on by CT Team

We hear this from organizations pretty often; they have an internal IT resource, so they find it hard to justify partnering with a managed service provider, or MSP. Often, this is because people think that an MSP is designed to replace their IT department. However, an MSP can also be used as an extension of your internal team to support their work.

Why Does Your IT Team Need Support?

In short, it’s often impossible for small IT teams to have every specialization required by today’s ever-evolving technological landscape. Even the best engineers can’t be experts in everything; there’s just too much information out there.

This means that new projects and initiatives often require extensive research, trial and training before they can be completed. But your team’s day-to-day is already filled with end-user requests, operational maintenance, outage resolution and everything else they do to keep your business running smoothly. Keeping up with your business’ immediate needs is a full-time job, which forces your internal IT team to be primarily reactive, rather than proactive.

How an MSP Can Help

A managed service provider becomes an extension of your existing team, supporting them in these critical areas:

  • Filling knowledge gaps: We have 25 engineers, supporting a user base of about 7,500 across different industries and verticals. With this exposure, we’ve gained expertise on about a hundred IT enterprise toolsets and processes, making us a valuable and extensive knowledge base for your team.
  • Automating operational tasks: Automation of tools and processes covers a wide range of business operations, from managing desktops and alerts to installing upgrades and applying patches.
  • Increasing efficiency: By automating, documenting and streamlining your environment, we help IT departments increase their efficiency by 40%.
  • Access to enterprise-level toolsets: Enterprise-level toolsets for documentation, network monitoring, ticketing, and patching are usually prohibitively expensive for a small-to-medium-sized business. As an MSP, we’re able to leverage economies of scale to help businesses not just afford these toolsets, but also get the most out of them.
  • Project Support: Since your IT team is busy with the day-to-day tasks, there is little time to research and accomplish different projects for your organization. By automating tasks and providing expert support, we make everything else easier so your team can focus on those projects.
  • Proactive Technology Business Planning: We look for ways to apply technology to improve your operations, reduce costs, and boost efficiency. Every quarter, we put together a customized Technology Business Plan, which looks at your current environment and where improvements can be made while keeping within your budget. In fact, many of the recommendations don’t cost anything.

If you’re ready to take your department to the next level by partnering with a managed service provider, call FIT Solutions today at 888-339-5694 or email us here.

5 Reasons to Reexamine Your Connectivity Plan

Posted on by CT Team

When someone begins an IT services contract with us, our first step is to gather information about their current business and IT environment. Often, this discovery phase uncovers a disconnect in their communications situation. Here are five common pain points we see:

Pain Points

  1. Network Performance: The efficiency of your organization depends to a large extent on the efficiency of its network and applications. If your applications are running slowly or freezing up, this can irritate and slow down your workforce.
  2. Scaled Growth: Whether it’s meeting the user maximum on a VoIP plan, needing more physical phonelines for your in-office staff, or creating dedicated lines for clients, are you struggling to make your connectivity plan work for the current reality of your organization? The plan that worked for you when the contract was signed three years ago may not support the bandwidth needs of the user base you have now.
  3. Overpaying: We often find that better plans have become available but the provider is not notifying the client, so you’re paying more than necessary for their services. On top of that, when your contract with a provider expires, most of the time they jack up your rate to motivate you to sign another deal.
  4. Downtime: What does one hour of downtime cost your business? If you have a team of 20, and we figure your average hourly cost for this team is $1,000, one hour of downtime is roughly ten times more expensive than paying for a redundant cable connection. A company may be struggling with frequent downtime without understanding that it’s directly tied to an outdated or insufficient connectivity solution. At healthcare facilities, for example, admissions, medication orders, medical records, guest Wi-Fi—all of it depends on your Internet and phone lines. If they go down, this can directly affect your revenue and your compliance status.
  5. Mobility: Do you have a mobile workforce and find your communication solutions lacking in field applications or support? Especially in the wake of the pandemic, many organizations are moving to a work-from-home arrangement, and are scrambling to keep their team communicating, both internally and with customers.

How We Can Help

If your organization is struggling in one of these areas, we have a five-step process to help.

  1. Discovery: We start by collecting information. What is and is not working well? What system(s) are you currently using? Why are you looking for a change?
  2. Research: This is a big part of the value of our partnership. We navigate the telecom landscape for you, conducting extensive research on what options or alternate providers are available in your area. Who provides physical service to your building? What plan sizes are offered? We compile all of this into a spreadsheet to help you compare your options.
  3. Review: We go over the pros and cons of each option, set up webinars or demos with providers, request a proposal from chosen providers, and review those with you as well. We then negotiate with the provider to make sure we have the best promotions and are getting you the best services at the best possible price.
  4. Implementation: We will manage the implementation process all the way to the final sign-off. From billing to design to installation to training your team on the new system, we are your partner and advocate in dealing with the provider.
  5. Post-sale support: We don’t stop once you’re up and running; if you have any technical support needs, we work with the provider on your behalf and hold them accountable for a timely fix.

With an optimized connectivity solution, you’ll see these benefits:

  • Better application performance: Increased bandwidth can eliminate packet loss, latency & jitter.
  • Minimized downtime: Building true redundancy into the network by setting up primary & secondary connections cuts down on costs and compliance issues.
  • Expense management: By negotiating a better rate or finding a better plan for you, we help you redirect your budget dollars toward other organizational goals.
  • Expert assistance: We know the industry and the system; put our expertise to work for you to get you the best bang for your buck.

FIT Solutions and our partners work to provide elite IT services to organizations. Give us a call today at 888-339-5694 or contact us here to see how we can improve your business environment.

How IT Departments Can Automate to Increase Efficiency by 40%

Posted on by CT Team

Too many IT departments get bogged down in doing manual work that could be automated. The root cause? Given the workload, the IT team simply can’t get ahead of the game. The time is never there to put the required tools and processes in place, and to master the associated learning curve — which is often steep. So talented staff spends the majority of their time focusing on repetitive tasks and rote troubleshooting instead of driving the business forward.

See if any of these scenarios apply to your organization:

  • Has your company asked your IT department to do more with fewer resources?
  • Have you been forced to reduce IT headcount, but still need to perform the same work?
  • Would you like to do more with the same IT staff?

If the answer to any of the above questions is yes, then read on.

The Impact of Outsourcing IT Automation

At FIT Solutions, we have the tools, processes and resources — coupled with the experience to apply them — to automate, standardize and streamline the IT environment. The bottom line is this: IT departments can increase their efficiency by 40%.

That improvement comes from application of best-practices automation coupled with economies of scale. Consider this: FIT Solutions successfully supports approximately 7,500 client users with a staff of 25 engineers. That’s one IT person for 300 employees — a ratio that can’t be touched by even the largest organizations. This doesn’t negatively impact our level of service, however; over the last 90 days, our customer satisfaction after over 1,000 reviews averaged 98.6 out of 100!

Here are some of the tasks we take on for our clients:

  • Managing desktops, mobile devices, servers and network infrastructure using automated tools
  • Installing and maintaining automated systems for handling upgrades, managing patches and applying them
  • Implementing and configuring automated systems that alert on issues based on varying degrees of severity and criticality
  • Establishing systems for log analysis, visibility, reporting and remote access — all to speed performance analysis, fine-tuning and troubleshooting
  • Creating and standardizing documentation for addressing regulations and resolving issues

Not Just Tools — But Years of Experience Using Them

Our engineers have spent years working with a stack of best-in-class automation tools and have developed proven methods for applying them efficiently across a wide variety of IT environments. We’ve done that work so your IT staff can piggyback on that experience. Too often, IT organizations invest in similar tools, but don’t have the time to utilize them fully so the investment falls short of delivering what’s promised—or worse, becomes ‘shelfware’. We can create those efficiencies for you, and either train your staff to apply them or simply take the administrative burden off your IT department’s hands.

Does being 40% more efficient sound good to you? To learn more about how we can optimize your IT environment in a way that delivers measurable increases in efficiency, call us today at 888-339-5694 or contact us here.

Why “If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It” Doesn’t Work for IT

Posted on by CT Team

Let’s say you have network equipment that’s been in place for years and is working with minimal or no issues. Paying to maintain service and support on those items might seem like an unnecessary expense. Certainly that’s the way many businesses look at it when scrutinizing the IT budget and looking for items to cut. The logic to justify de-funding those contracts is pretty simple: “If it isn’t broke, why pay to fix it?” However, that is a risky position to take.

Late in 2019, a manufacturer of wireless access points announced that a number of security vulnerabilities — some with a “critical” rating — had been found in its products. They fixed the vulnerabilities in short order and distributed the fixes in the form of software upgrades to the affected products. Here’s the rub: businesses without active support contracts didn’t have access to the upgrades.

Why Service Contracts Are Vital for Critical Infrastructure

The access points in question are widely used in installations that call for reliable, widespread business-class wireless coverage. In other words, they’re an extremely critical element of the infrastructure for organizations that rely on Wi-Fi to run their business. With the prospect of a security vulnerability that would allow an intruder access and potentially bring the entire wireless network down, the seemingly minor risk of letting the service contracts lapse turned into a major risk overnight. All of a sudden, companies were faced with an unbudgeted expense. They either had to re-up the contracts for all of the controllers and access points, or else replace their entire wireless infrastructure.

The same scenario and risks apply to all manner of critical network infrastructure, including switches, routers, firewalls, VPNs and servers. Vulnerabilities are constantly being discovered and patched with updates. We often think of these devices as appliances or hardware, but the reality is, they have software inside that’s meant to be upgraded to improve performance, add features or address security problems. Those devices are at the heart of the network and hold the keys to keeping the business running.

Is the Gamble Worth It?

Many companies do take the risk of running without maintenance agreements on key pieces of network equipment. They have weighed the risks against the costs and reached the conclusion that the gamble is worth taking. While at FIT Solutions we don’t recommend this approach, we do respect that it is a business decision. We are more concerned with businesses that simply allow their service and support contracts to lapse as a cost-cutting measure, without fully understanding the risks and taking them into account.

At FIT Solutions, part of our service is knowing what the vendor policies are with regard to upgrades, support, and service agreements, and keeping track of whether your agreements are active. We use this information to help you understand the risks of running your critical network infrastructure without the benefit of a safety net. Want a true picture of these hidden risks? Give us a call at 888-339-5694 today.

Get in touch.

Fill out the form and our team will get
back to you as soon as we can!


  • 888-339-5694
  • 2635 Camino Del Rio South, Suite 306
    San Diego, CA 92108