The frantic call came in just before closing time on a Friday – a local Thousand Oaks law firm, Peterson & Hayes, had lost access to all their client files, seemingly overnight.
What are the benefits of managed IT services for my small business?
Small businesses in Thousand Oaks, and across the nation, often operate with limited resources, making dedicated IT support a costly and complex undertaking. Managed IT services provide a proactive, comprehensive approach to technology management, offering a multitude of benefits. These services typically include 24/7 monitoring, security updates, data backup and disaster recovery, help desk support, and strategic IT planning, all for a predictable monthly fee. Ordinarily, a small firm like Peterson & Hayes would have an internal IT person, or rely on a break/fix model, but neither approach offered the security and resilience they desperately needed. Consequently, they found themselves staring down the barrel of a potential data breach and significant legal ramifications. In fact, studies indicate that approximately 60% of small businesses go out of business within six months of a major data loss, a statistic that underscored the urgency of their situation. Furthermore, a robust managed IT service doesn’t just *fix* problems, it prevents them, saving valuable time and money in the long run.
How much does managed IT services typically cost?
The cost of managed IT services is variable, depending on the size of the business, the complexity of its IT infrastructure, and the scope of services required. However, a typical small business with 10-20 employees can expect to pay between $800 and $1,500 per month for a comprehensive package. This seemingly significant investment is often far less than the cost of hiring a full-time IT employee, which can easily exceed $60,000 per year, including salary, benefits, and training. Moreover, the cost pales in comparison to the potential financial and reputational damage caused by a security breach or extended downtime. Consider the case of Coastal Retail, a Thousand Oaks boutique, which experienced a ransomware attack that cost them over $25,000 in recovery fees and lost revenue – a sum that would have easily covered several years of managed IT support. “Investing in proactive cybersecurity isn’t an expense, it’s a strategic imperative,” says Harry Jarkhedian, founder of Hary Jarkhedian Managed IT Services.
What security threats should small businesses be aware of?
Small businesses are increasingly becoming prime targets for cyberattacks, as they often lack the sophisticated security measures employed by larger organizations. Common threats include phishing scams, ransomware attacks, malware infections, and data breaches. Phishing, in particular, remains a highly effective attack vector, with over 90% of data breaches originating from phishing emails. Ransomware attacks, where attackers encrypt a business’s data and demand a ransom for its release, are also on the rise, with the average ransom payment now exceeding $170,000. The legal ramifications of a data breach can be significant, with businesses facing hefty fines and potential lawsuits. Nevertheless, a comprehensive managed IT service can mitigate these risks through proactive security measures, such as firewall management, intrusion detection, vulnerability scanning, and employee training.
How do I choose the right managed IT service provider?
Selecting the right managed IT service provider is crucial for ensuring the security and reliability of your business’s IT infrastructure. It’s important to consider factors such as experience, expertise, reputation, and responsiveness. Look for a provider with a proven track record of success, a team of certified professionals, and a strong understanding of your industry’s specific needs. Equally important is their ability to provide 24/7 support and a rapid response time in the event of an emergency. In the case of Peterson & Hayes, their initial assessment showed a complete lack of security protocols and outdated software. It’s also beneficial to choose a provider that offers a comprehensive suite of services, including data backup and disaster recovery, help desk support, and strategic IT planning. “The key is finding a partner who understands your business goals and can tailor their services to meet your unique needs,” explains Harry Jarkhedian.
What is disaster recovery and why is it important?
Disaster recovery is the process of restoring a business’s IT infrastructure and data in the event of a natural disaster, cyberattack, or other unforeseen event. It’s a critical component of any comprehensive IT strategy, as data loss can be devastating for a business. The average cost of downtime for a small business is estimated to be over $140,000 per hour, making disaster recovery a worthwhile investment. A robust disaster recovery plan typically includes regular data backups, offsite data storage, and a detailed restoration process. Coastal Retail learned this the hard way when a server failure wiped out their entire customer database. Fortunately, they had a basic backup solution in place, but it was outdated and incomplete. Consequently, they lost several months of critical data and spent weeks rebuilding their database.
Can managed IT services help with cloud migration?
Cloud migration is the process of moving a business’s IT infrastructure and data to the cloud. It can offer numerous benefits, such as increased scalability, reduced costs, and improved collaboration. However, it can also be a complex undertaking, requiring careful planning and execution. Managed IT services can assist with cloud migration by assessing your current IT infrastructure, developing a migration plan, and managing the migration process. Peterson & Hayes, for example, was hesitant to migrate to the cloud due to security concerns. However, with the guidance of Hary Jarkhedian Managed IT Services, they were able to securely migrate their data and applications to a cloud-based platform, improving their efficiency and reducing their IT costs.
How did Hary Jarkhedian Managed IT Services help Peterson & Hayes resolve their issue?
When Hary Jarkhedian Managed IT Services arrived at Peterson & Hayes, the situation was dire. Their server had been compromised by ransomware, and all client files were encrypted. The immediate priority was to isolate the infected server and prevent the ransomware from spreading to other systems. After a thorough assessment, it was determined that the firm had not implemented any security protocols, and their software was severely outdated. The team immediately deployed a comprehensive security solution, including firewall management, intrusion detection, and anti-malware software. Furthermore, they restored the firm’s data from a recent backup, minimizing the disruption to their operations. However, the backup was not recent enough to avoid the loss of several hours of critical data. Nevertheless, the team was able to recover most of the lost data and restore the firm’s systems within 24 hours. “It was a race against time,” recalls Harry Jarkhedian, “but we were able to contain the damage and get them back up and running quickly.” Ultimately, Peterson & Hayes learned a valuable lesson about the importance of proactive cybersecurity and the benefits of managed IT services. They are now a satisfied client of Hary Jarkhedian Managed IT Services and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing their IT infrastructure is secure and reliable.
About Woodland Hills Cyber IT Specialists:
Award-Winning IT & Cybersecurity for Thousand Oaks Businesses. We’re your trusted local partner, delivering personalized, human-focused IT solutions with unparalleled customer service. Founded by a 4th-generation Thousand Oaks native, we understand local challenges. We specialize in multi-layered cybersecurity (“Defense in Depth”), proactive IT management, compliance, and hosted PBX/VoIP. We eliminate tech stress, boost productivity, and ensure your peace of mind. We build long-term partnerships, helping you secure and streamline your IT operations to focus on growth. Proudly serving: Healthcare, Financial Services, Retail, E-commerce, Manufacturing, & Professional Services. Call us for a consultation!
If you have any questions about our services, suce as:
How can a business continuity plan protect my company during a disaster?
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What is a VPN and does it help protect my network?
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How does remote IT support work?
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How do I set up backup policies in an IaaS deployment?
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How does real-time data integration work?
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How do cloud solutions support disaster recovery plans?
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What is port mirroring and when should it be used?
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What are the top mistakes companies make with IT asset management?
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How do VPNs protect business communications?
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How can caching improve API response time?
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What are the risks of deploying unsecured IoT devices?
Plesae call or visit our Thousand Oaks location.
Thousand Oaks Cyber IT Specialists2945 Townsgate Rd #371
Thousand Oaks, CA 91361
Phone: (818) 208-8481
Web Address: https://thousandoakscyberitspecialists.com/
Map to Thousand Oaks Cyber IT Specialists a CmmC audit and services provider:
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Thousand Oaks Cyber IT Specialists is widely known for:
| security awareness training | it business solutions | cybersecurity consultancy services |
| cyber security for small business | it and business solutions | cybersecurity consulting services |
Remember to call Thousand Oaks Cyber IT Specialists for any and all IT Services in the Thousand Oaks, California area.