Fort Worth IT services provider should make sure your business is prepared for the challenges of today. The polar vortex storm that hit Texas in mid-February 2021, knocked out power to 10 million people and caused $24 billion worth of damages. Natural disasters are happening more frequently, and their impact on business operations is expensive. Consider these statistics:
- Texas residents experienced the coldest air mass in the state since 1989, and temperatures were some 40 degrees lower than normal. Dallas dipped to -2. The polar vortex cost businesses downtime and repair expenses.
- As a group, the Western fires in 2021 caused $10.6 billion in damages, which was the 3rd most expensive disaster of 2021.
Preparing for natural disasters is one of the key areas where your current IT provider should be strategizing for business. If they’re not, that’s a hint that they aren’t taking your business seriously. Take a look at these signs that it’s time to break up with your current Fort Worth IT services provider.
# 1 You Don’t Have an IT Response Plans for Natural Disasters
On April 27, 2021, hailstorms hit suburbs of Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Oklahoma City, causing major damage to homes and commercial properties. But hailstorms weren’t the only issue. In fact, the Red Cross responded to 1,800 disasters in the North Texas region in 2021.
Natural disasters are becoming more and more frequent, and you need to be confident that your organization has a plan for when the power goes out and work still needs to be done. Any natural disaster can cause system-wide outages which are, at the very least, both costly and stress-inducing.
According to FEMA, about 25% of businesses never reopen after disasters. Staying financially solvent while not operating the business due to IT downtime is impossible for some SMBs. That’s why a disaster recovery plan is so crucial.
Is your current IT services provider supplying you with a complete natural disaster preparedness plan? VersaTrust can help you keep your data safe and make sure you’re getting everything your business needs.
# 2 Your Security Feels Lacking
A recent study from Devolutions found that 52% of SMBs experienced a cyberattack in the last year, and 10% of those have experienced more than 10 cyberattacks. Now more than ever, cybersecurity is critically important to your business.
A multilayered cyberdefense involves more than just the right antivirus, antispam, and firewalls. Your systems should be continually monitored for signs of trouble and should remain updated and upgraded at all times to remove backdoors.
VersaTrust is ruthless when it comes to your security. We will target your business like a hacker to discover the gaps in your security and help you find aging technologies, missed steps, and overlooked vulnerabilities. Learn more about our managed IT services and strategic technology services.
# 3 You’re Behind the Curve When It Comes to the Cloud
One Microsoft survey found that 20% of SMBs that transitioned to the cloud had a lower IT spend within 3 years. On the other hand, only 4% of companies that didn’t transition to the cloud could say that their IT budget decreased during the same period.
While the biggest benefit of the cloud is the potential for cost savings, that’s not the only reason to transition to the cloud. It also empowers your employees to work remotely and can provide higher levels of security.
You probably already use some cloud tools on a daily basis, but are you fully leveraging the cloud to your advantage? VersaTrust can help you take advantage of cloud services and cloud technologies that will give your business cost savings, greater security, and flexibility.
# 4 You’re Missing Out on DoD Contracts
If your business currently is or is interested in becoming a contractor or supplier for the Department of Defense, your cybersecurity needs to meet a set of requirements. When businesses don’t meet these requirements, the DoD can both terminate the contract and seek damages for breach of contract, as well as false claims.
You can try to meet the compliance requirements on your own. To do this, you must submit an attestation stating that you are complying with the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) and that you have implemented the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) security controls.
Certain contractors have the option of achieving compliance through a federal team inspection. However, many contractors choose to have their cybersecurity audited by a 3rd-party organization. VersaTrust can help you meet – and go beyond – compliance regulations.
Work With a Fort Worth IT Services Provider That Covers It All
VersaTrust is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional, which requires at least 5 years of verified experience working in information security; endorsement from another CISSP in good standing; passing a 3-hour, 150-quesiton adaptive test; and completing 120 hours of continuing education every 3 years.
We take your cybersecurity and IT services seriously. VersaTrust will make sure you’re in compliance, prepared for natural disasters, leveraging the cloud, and up to the latest cybersecurity standards. Is your current IT provider taking these 4 areas seriously?
Don’t settle for less. VersaTrust has the services you need to succeed in 2022 and beyond.
