2024 has marked a massive shift for SME IT needs, as creating an appropriate and optimised business strategy has become an increasingly difficult challenge for business owners and IT operators nationwide. Throughout this year, experts have had to balance their concerns for their IT, cybersecurity, and compliance whilst integrating the latest innovative technologies into operations without breaking the budget.
Whether it’s the potential of artificial intelligence, the importance of security orchestration, or simply assuaging the worries that are keeping business owners awake at night, one fact has become clear – your choice of managed service provider, and the expert security alliance they can onboard, is the best first step for SME leaders when managing their IT and communications systems.
The needs may differ across sectors such as education, healthcare, retail and professional services, but IT safety remains the number one priority, and all sectors are struggling with the same challenges that MSP’s of today must be able to tackle head-on.
Peace of mind concerns originate with security vulnerabilities.
Knowing your data is secure is a key priority for customers in today’s cybersecurity landscape. The presence of malicious cyber attackers continues to grow, so tightening up security is of utmost importance, yet many clients need that extra personalised touch to ensure their security solutions effectively meet the needs of their existing operations. AI tools have led the next wave of technological developments for this, however, these tools also raise questions about data protection and privacy, as well as which tools are a boost, rather than a hindrance to operations.
Recent research conducted by Mimecast highlighted that around two-thirds of companies surveyed worldwide have fallen prey to ransomware attempts. However, whilst industry experts have advised people to ensure they have backups in place and not pay any ransom demands if they fall victim to an attack, there is now a trend for businesses to pay the ransom and rely on insurance to cover the cost.
This attitude has caused the problem to persist rather than diminish. Cyber actors now understand the value of an organisation, i.e. roughly equivalent to their daily turnover. They’ve learnt that SMBs find it easier to pay than to accept the headache of losing three or four days’ income and so extort for the exact amounts SMBs can pay. Whilst business owners might believe they are safe after one attack, this just opens the door to more attacks.
Technology on its own isn’t enough to keep on top of these challenges, as there is always a human element associated with cyber challenges. Educating employees about their responsibilities in protecting company data needs to be clear in company policy: in their report, Mimecast state 90% of security breaches are caused by human error. Having additional expert eyes coupled with employee training can provide the needed reassurance and peace of mind that your network is being monitored and protected inside and out.
Security is not something you can set and forget – it constantly needs reassessing. Reassuring customers is the certification side of things, such as gaining Cyber Essentials certifications which will validate that your processes and technologies are doing what they need to. With better managed-service protection on your side, business owners can focus on what matters, knowing that their business is in safe hands.
Keep your business ready with compliant, sustainable solutions
Building a sustainability strategy within overall business readiness plans has proven to be another core focus for many sectors and can be instrumental in creating long-term business success. But an important part of this is trusting in the right MSP for easy adoption. A reputable MSP must have the ability to provide guidance and options ranging from strategic system rollouts or access to innovative technology partners and solutions.
Employees are also keen to see their companies invest in eco-friendly solutions, having previously stated that poor sustainability initiatives had a detrimental impact on their morale at work. Sustainability has transitioned from an option to a necessity, with more persistence to embed this across every process within an organisation. Through this, businesses can more easily create a holistic sustainability-focused business model which considers how resources will be used to maximise their full lifecycle impact. This ultimately helps reduce carbon waste as well as contributing to productivity.
But sustainability doesn’t just pertain to an effective business strategy, it also impacts hardware, infrastructure and contributes to businesses becoming more cost-effective. Whilst many organisations haven’t needed to overhaul their entire technology stack, an effective initiative, backed by the experience of managed services experts, can lead to the discovery and implementation of more cost-effective solutions. One way IT leaders have seen success in reducing their organisation’s average device carbon impact is in the utilisation of remanufactured and refurbished devices across their operations. When coupled with mindful waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) processing, this effect is multiplied even further.
Embracing energy-efficient devices can aid in business scaling, as well as manage CO2 emissions and power consumption, whilst driving down operating costs. Sustainability has given businesses the edge in staying more agile, having a greater budget to hand and future-proofing their operations. Whilst 2024 has, for the first time, seen the substantial implementation of eco-conscious efforts as part of a more holistic business approach, ultimately carrying these initiatives into the new year and beyond is critical. Only time will tell whether these remain successful.
AI integration creates greater business efficiencies
Enhancing workplace teams’ effectiveness and capabilities has never been easier with the proliferation of AI and generative AI tools. The launch of Microsoft Copilot AI tools has created better opportunities for business efficiency, yet also a need for guidance in onboarding and effectively integrating new technologies, such as Microsoft Copilot into existing operations.
Finding the best ways to enable workplace teams has therefore been a massive part of the cloud industry conversation, spilling from this year into 2025. This is only possible with an expert understanding of the best use cases for AI and how they pertain to individual organisations. Whilst the initial fear of AI has begun to subside, understanding the correct application to streamline routine tasks and provide the insight for enhanced decision-making is the next hurdle for 2025 strategies. Learning to work with these tools has become a necessity for business leaders seeking to remain competitive.
Businesses have expressed the need for a clear road map when it comes to what they want to achieve with their platform of choice, leaving managed service experts best placed to advise on which tools most effectively amplify your teams’ voices and support operational efficiency. Upgrading legacy infrastructure has always been a priority, but now, cost-effectiveness is a key factor for onboarding the right tools that will aid your teams in the best and most cost-effective way. Thankfully, that’s where experts come in. Across an alliance of security and AI partnerships, dedicated to unifying and building from one another for integrated customer support, your MSP will be able to find the right solutions for your business.
Finally, AI should not be displacing existing human resources, but rather enhancing their capabilities. It has been proven to drive staff retention, give greater support in employee day-to-day tasks and thus promote a higher quality end-product. Industry experts have the responsibility to look at the situation holistically, including the knock-on effects of any decisions made. We must be concerned with how AI and data are treated, ensuring it is used in an ethical yet concise and secure way, so that operational teams can trust that their IT service provider has their best business interests at heart.
Loving your customers, the right way
A vigilant MSP has the power to guide its customers towards greater business success, whatever the industry or sector. With access to expert guidance across IT, cybersecurity, supply chain sustainability and innovative technologies such as AI, UK businesses are in safe hands, if they know where to look.
2024 has proven to be a year on the cusp of great business innovation and massive change, and no doubt years to come will also have great technological advancements that eclipse current business strategies. MSPs have a responsibility to their customers to help them stay ahead of the curve and business-ready whilst providing holistic solutions to keep them secure yet competitive.
