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IT Support for Remote Teams: Best Practices and Tools

In recent years, remote work has gained popularity as businesses seek cost savings, enhanced productivity, and improved work-life balance for employees. However, this shift brings unique challenges, particularly in IT support. As a small business owner, ensuring your employees' productivity is crucial for keeping your business thriving.

Remote teams heavily depend on technology for connectivity and productivity. Without effective IT support, they can quickly become frustrated and unproductive. IT support is pivotal in maintaining workforce productivity and security. This article explores essential tools and practices to ensure remote teams work efficiently and securely.

Best Practices for IT Support for Remote Teams

Establish a Dedicated IT Support Team

A key practice is establishing a dedicated IT support team for remote employees. This team should provide round-the-clock technical support and fulfill all technical needs, efficiently resolving any issues that arise.

Foster a Sense of Community

Remote workers often feel isolated. Building a sense of community through regular virtual team-building activities, happy hours, and other online social events is vital.

Implement a Remote IT Support Policy

Implementing a comprehensive virtual IT support policy is crucial. This policy should define the IT team's responsibilities, the process for reporting technical issues, response times, and guidelines for employees to troubleshoot common issues and maintain system security.

Utilize Remote Monitoring and Management Tools

Online monitoring and management tools enable IT teams to remotely oversee and manage systems, preemptively addressing issues.

Provide Training to Remote Employees

Remote employees use various online tools and applications. Regular training can enhance their proficiency and reduce the IT support workload.

Employ Secure Remote Access Tools

While remote access tools are necessary for troubleshooting, they must be secure to protect sensitive company data. Using tools with robust encryption and security measures is essential.

Develop a Comprehensive Disaster Recovery Plan

A well-defined disaster recovery plan is crucial, especially for remote teams. It should detail the IT team's response to technical disruptions and data and application restoration processes.

Tools for IT Support for Remote Teams

Remote Desktop Software

Tools like TeamViewer, LogMeIn, and Splashtop enable IT teams to remotely access and troubleshoot employee devices, obviating the need for physical visits.

VPN Software

VPNs like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and HMA are crucial for secure remote access to company data and applications, encrypting internet-transmitted data.

Cloud-Based Storage and Collaboration Tools

Tools like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft OneDrive facilitate document access and collaboration for remote teams.

Collaboration Tools

Platforms like Microsoft Teams, and Zoom provide extraordinary communication and collaboration features e.g. virtual meetings.

Help Desk Software

Systems like Zendesk and Freshdesk offer centralized IT support platforms, enabling efficient ticket submission and resolution.

Conclusion

As remote work's popularity continues to rise, providing robust IT support is essential for maintaining productivity and security in remote teams. Effective practices and tools, such as reliable internet connections, security measures, remote access to resources, effective communication, and community building, are key to a successful remote workforce.

Resource URL : https://maximumnetworks01.blogspot.com/2023/12/it-support-for-remote-teams-best.html

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Managed IT Service Providers – What Are They?

As the world spins on its axis, with minutes, hours, days, and months passing by almost without a thought, you can guarantee that someone somewhere is working away using a Managed IT Service Provider to help in the running of their business.

Some will work in an office location, others will work from home and certainly, after the recent pandemic, more people work from home, having proven the fact that it’s possible to do this and work just as efficiently.

The short and very simple answer is that a business, regardless of size, will purchase a Managed IT Services Provider plan from an IT company that can provide this service at a cost that is less than using an in-house IT service. This service will also provide a safe and secure environment for the data and infrastructure of your business.

Sounds simple when you put it that way.

But the term I.T. or given its full name – Information Technology includes a wide range of services in what is an ever-increasing market where customers’ needs always ask for more. So, let’s look at this in more detail using Maximum Networks as the example. As a Managed IT Services Provider, here are some of the services they provide for their customer base:

Security- CCTV & door entry

Remote IT Support service & helpdesk

IT Print Solutions

CCTV & Door entry solutions

Business telephone systems

Business broadband solutions

That’s right, suddenly Managed IT Services Provider becomes a much clearer term with the options on offer for business customers, regardless of being a small operation or a much larger entity. So what are the advantages of using a Managed IT Service Provider? Let’s keep it simple as we take a look further into this subject.

Everything in one place

Depending on the size of your company and its global presence, there are some cases where there will be different in-house IT suppliers to contact for specific issues, making it difficult to get the right solution to the problem you have. A Managed IT Services Provider will take care of all your business needs, whether large or small, making sure that everything works together and that your business needs are fully supported.

IT Experience and Expertise

Taking on board a Managed IT Services Provider means that you are getting experience and expertise ready to go when you need it. A dedicated team of experts who know how your systems work and, more importantly, know how to resolve any problems that may arise, to make sure that the day-to-day running of your business carries on uninterrupted. Having fully trained experts ready just a phone call or direct message away also means that you have safe and secure support and guidance available to all your employees.

As a cheaper option, saving money always goes down well

In the current climate, where costs are always rising and every business, large or small, is always looking to get the best service for the most affordable price, you can be certain that this will be an important factor. The cost of internal recruiting, training and employing an IT manager can get expensive, regardless of business size.

Outsourcing has always been a popular and affordable option in any business market, and the IT sector is no different. Having the services and support that you specifically require provided by a managed IT service provider saves money and makes high-quality IT support available to a greater range of businesses, domestically, regionally and globally.

Non-Stop Support for your business needs

Let’s be honest about this. Business runs 24/7, 365 days a year, non-stop. This is the world we live in. So your business will require the right type of support, whether you have 20 colleagues in one location, or 20,000 colleagues spread around the world working in different time zones. As technology becomes more complex, managing in-house software and hardware grows more challenging. You need the right type of support for your colleagues who will guide the systems you have at your disposal and that are where a Managed IT Services Provider comes in. They will ensure that any problems are rectified promptly, offering a proactive approach, and often fixing issues before you are even aware of them.

Regular maintenance of your IT systems

To make sure that your business “runs like a well-oiled machine” means that regular maintenance of your hardware and software will need to take place, to minimize the chances of problems arising with your computers or your networks If your business runs smoothly, then your customers are happy, and you know what they say about happy customers.

Future proofing your business

Information Technology is always moving forward at a fast pace. There is always new hardware, new software, and new security. Every business is always looking for faster, more reliable and secures solutions to ensure they stay ahead of the competition whilst providing their customer base with the best service possible. A Managed IT Services Provider makes sure that all of your hardware, software and security are fully up to date, keeping all of your solutions viable and not falling behind competitors in the same market.

You know what you are paying for

Managed IT Services Providers provide your business with a high-quality IT support service. It’s as simple as that there are no surprises, no secrets; you get exactly what you pay for, whatever your business needs require, at a monthly cost, which keeps your business supported by the best service possible.

A Safe and Secure Infrastructure

The benefits of having a Managed IT Services Provider mean that you will have in place a much more robust and secure setup of data centers and network infrastructures. This also means that your IT hardware and software infrastructures will also be under constant surveillance, ensuring your business data is kept completely secure, very important in an age where GDPR breaches can cost your business dearly. A managed security service provider can reduce the risk of significant downtime and data loss because of setbacks such as human error, fires, flooding and other major issues that can cost your business important cash flow and lost customers.

So, now you have a better idea of what a Managed IT Services Provider can do for your business, there is just one question left to answer:

Why choose Maximum Networks as your Managed IT Services Provider?

We have a wide range of IT desktop solutions and print services for any business across the UK. Not only do we offer high-quality services across IT Services we offer business broadband solutions, telecommunications and much, much more. Get in touch at https://www.maximumnetworks.co.uk/contact or call us on 0330 041 6308 today!

Resource URL: - https://maximumnetworks01.blogspot.com/2023/10/managed-it-service-providers-what-are.html

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Threat Intelligence: Making your Bespoke Security Operations Centre Work for You

Previously, we’ve spoken about the following subjects that are related to your Bespoke Security Operations Centre for your business:

What elements need to be used in the design process?

What your requirements will be as you build your SOC.

How your SOC will identify potential threats to your business and your customers.

Why choose Maximum Networks as your Managed Outsourced IT Support Partner?

We have a wide range of IT desktop solutions and print services for any business across the UK. Not only do we offer high-quality services across IT Services we offer business broadband solutions, telecommunications and much, much more.

The Role of Threat Intelligence within Your Bespoke Security Operations Centre

Threat intelligence refers to knowledge of an attacker’s activities. This can range from a simple narrative around a threat actor’s motivations all the way up to in-depth technical descriptions of an attacker’s tactics, techniques and procedures.

So, let’s ask the question: What is Threat Intelligence?

Answer: Threat intelligence is data that is collected, processed, and analysed to understand a threat actor’s motives, targets, and attack behaviours. Threat intelligence enables us to make faster, more informed, data-backed security decisions and change their behaviour from reactive to proactive in the fight against threat actors.

If you already have a Managed Outsourced IT Support Partner working within your business, then Threat Intelligence will typically be conducted by them.

The benefit to this is your managed it services birmingham Partner is already familiar with your technology, processes, and sector of business.

This means that they can employ an effective Threat Intelligence strategy that will help defend your business and your client base from cyber-attacks.

Put simply: Threat Intelligence is a key part of attempting to stay ahead, or at least, stay on par with attackers, whilst allowing you to improve your bespoke SOC and its protection levels.

The Threat Intelligence Platform

One of the tools in the armoury of your Managed Outsourced IT Support Partner as they make sure that your SOC is providing the best protection that it can offer, is using a Threat Intelligence Platform.

So, let’s ask the question: What is a Threat Intelligence Platform?

Answer: A threat intelligence platform automates the collection, aggregation, and reconciliation of external threat data, providing security teams with the most recent threat insights to reduce threat risks relevant to their organisation.

A Threat Intelligence Platform is a place for your SOC to store, correlate and manage Threat Intelligence sources and potential sources.

They are configured to analyse Threat Intelligence feeds from Threat Intelligence providers and are linked to your SIEM tool to enable automated detection of Indicators of Compromise.

There are a multitude of Threat Intelligence Platforms available on the market, so it’s important that your Managed Outsourced IT Support Partner finds a tool that works for you.

Already knowledgeable in the business sector you operate in and with your infrastructure, including hardware, firmware and software, they are in the ideal position to put the right tools to work.

Once you have a Threat Intelligence Platform in place, you’ll need to have Threat Intelligence Feeds in place that provide your SOC with the most value to identify the threats out there.

Open-source feeds provide your organisation with a range of intelligence as well as commercial feeds that provide a slightly more bespoke service.

The key parts of implementing a Threat Intelligence Platform are:

Make sure that you don’t drown in low confidence, out-of-date Indicators of Compromise – Remember, it is very easy for attackers to change an IP address. Be wary that some threat feeds may not include “best before” dates and over time this could lead to the SOC inadvertently flagging legitimate addresses as malicious.

Don’t underestimate the value of triaging intelligence (whitepapers, reports, news articles) – ensuring that analysts have time to read and digest intelligence reports that will lead to better understanding.

Score intelligence according to value – If it constantly produces false positives, then perhaps review the sources you’re using.

Make sure that your Threat Intelligence sources are providing value. It is a very competitive market, so there’s no need to put all your eggs in one basket.

So, let’s ask the question: What are Indicators of Compromise?

Answer: An Indicator of Compromise (IOC) is a piece of digital forensics that suggests that an endpoint or network may have been breached.

Just as with physical evidence, these digital clues help information security professionals identify malicious activity or security threats, such as data breaches, insider threats or malware attacks.

Unfortunately, Indicators of Compromise monitoring are reactive in nature, which means that if an organisation finds an indicator, it is almost certain that they have already been compromised.

That said, if the event is in progress, the quick detection of an Indicator of Compromise could help contain attacks earlier in the attack lifecycle, thus limiting their impact on the business.

Examples of Indicators of Compromise

What are the warning signs that the security team is looking for when investigating cyber threats and attacks? Some indicators of compromise include:

Unusual inbound and outbound network traffic

Geographic irregularities, such as traffic from countries or locations where the organization does not have a presence.

Unknown applications within the system

Unusual activity from administrator or privileged accounts, including requests for additional permissions.

An uptick in incorrect logins or access requests that may indicate brute force attacks.

Anomalous activity, such as an increase in database read volume.

Large numbers of requests for the same file

Suspicious registry or system file changes

Unusual Domain Name Servers (DNS) requests and registry configurations

Unauthorized settings changes, including mobile device profiles.

Large amounts of compressed files or data bundles in incorrect or unexplained locations

For more Information Get in touch at https://www.maximumnetworks.co.uk/contact or call us on 0330 041 6308 today!

Resource URL: - https://maximumnetworks01.blogspot.com/2023/09/threat-intelligence-making-your-bespoke.html

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Experts Guide to Choose the Best IT Support

Over the past few years, technological industries have seen lots of growth. It is believed, that even in the long run, IT services will continue to be a critical part of business industries. More overly, Covid -19 wave emphasized to businesses the global need for reliable infrastructure and services to enable hybrid work models for the growth and success of the organization.

 This article will guide you about the general benefits and services Business IT supports offer to various industries and businesses. And how can you identify the provider as per your needs.

 What do we understand by IT Services?

 Information technology services are services that help an organization to grow and become strong in this digital – era. These services help organizations create, manage and deliver information. Organizations know that even in the long run IT services will continue to be an important part of various industries.

In General, IT support service offers outsourcing. Managed services, security, data management, and cloud computing.

The profitability of an organization depends on its ability to provide optimum services, innovative services, and expansive technical growth. Both smaller and larger industry grows differently. While the optimum focus of large organizations is to succeed with a global reach and offer broader services, the smaller company focuses on widening their positions in niche markets and offering tailored services, specifically designed for the demands of their customers.

 What Are the Variable Types of Information Technological Systems

 Information technology services involve the use of technology to communicate, transfer and process data and information. Let us discuss a few types of IT systems:

1.Artificial intelligence- AI or Artificial intelligence is a branch of computer science concerned with developing machines capable of performing functions that requires complete human surveillance.

2.Data management- In simple words data management is a process of assembling, keeping and storing data securely and effectively.

3.Cloud computing- cloud computing is the availability of storage, servers, intelligence, software, databases, analytics, and, networking —over the Internet. This offers quick speed and accessibility for flexible resources, 4.Automation- automation can be defined as a technological advancement where human input is minimized at its best.

5.Cybersecurity– this is the ultimate process in which electronic devices such as mobile phones, data, computers, laptops, network and servers are protected from harmful activities.

6.Software development- this is a technological system of computer science activities that are specially crafted for designing, creating, deploying and at last for supporting software.

7.Hardware development- this is a procedure that includes the optimization and creation of electronic system that are included for performing computational processes

Since technology is constantly upgrading, this list is by far only few examples of the technological system.

Relationship Between Managing IT Systems and Corporate Performance

The main aim of an IT system provider is to improve the financial performance of an organization in many ways. Organizations that lack managed IT systems cannot survive for a longer duration. A couple of decades ago, this information would not have been true, but with the growing technologies, computer-based information systems are now essential for the survival of any organization. The objective of these IT systems is to enhance productivity and overall financial performance.

Beyond staying competitive, there are various other advantages of an effectively managed information technology systems:

1.Workflows are more effective and results in productivity and better alignment of business needs. 2.Managers get overviews regarding the entire operation. 3.Comparison of planned performance with the overall results is easy. 4.Managers can get proper feedback about the performances.

Seeing what is working and what isn’t enable organizations to get maximum benefits from their investments. Here are the few key aspects you should always consider before selecting an IT Service provider:

• Determining the tech support as per your business’s needs Deciding what infrastructural design would be best for your organization can be a tricky task. Here, let us discuss a few aspects you should consider before taking tech support:

• Determine your business goals and requirements Give a thought to the needs and requirements of your organization. What are the immediate requirements of your organization? What kind of tech support are you seeking?

• Estimate your current systems Thoroughly analyze your organization’s annual or monthly IT spending, the number of laptops, desktops, printers, cell phones, etc. in your organization, and the overall capacity of your organization.

• Contact an IT Service provider

The next step would be to contact an auditor and open up a conversation with them regarding your requirements. You should not only consider your present requirements but your future requirements too. Ask them questions regarding your specifications. Here are some queries you might want to ask your service provider: 1. How long have they been in this business? 2. What is their organization’s background in terms of experience and technology? 3. What are their fees? 4. What would be their process? 5. What makes them different from other IT providers? 6. What would be the terms and conditions of their contract?

• Request an audit of current technical systems.

It’s ok if you have limited knowledge of the above mentioned things but you can always outsource an IT support for assistance for these technical supports. An audit conducted by an IT supporter would definitely provide you the initial answers. You should make sure that the provider can work with the extra requirements too as and when they arise.

Conclusion

IT infrastructure needs changes as per your growth so make sure whomsoever you are hiring can expand their structure as per your business. It is important to maintain a balance between cost price and quality. So, if you know a provider who is providing you the same service at a better price than your current provider; it is worth negotiating the price with your current provider to arrive at a mutual agreement.

Author's Bio: 

Author is an IT Engineer, working in a very reputed firm based in Birmingham, UK.

Previously Published on:-  https://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/experts-guide-to-choose-the-best-it-support

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Easy Hacks to Getting Best Business Broadband

Over the last few decades, we’ve seen a large number of firms taking their respective businesses online. Nowadays, not having an official website, an e-commerce store, or a marketing and advertising site for your brand only shows your inadequacy as a business organization. From sending emails to your employees to handling your e-commerce website, a reliable  Business Broadband is vital to your organization. As a result, organizations are getting more and more dependent on Business Broadband Providers. With regular and vast growths in small businesses, there has been a mountainous growth in Broadband for Small Businesses too. Finding the ultimate Best Broadband Provider can be a task of utmost difficulty.

 With a barrage of jargon, huge numbers and wide technical terms, opting for what network works perfectly as per your company’s requirements can be a tricky task. According to Statista, in the third quarter of the year 2021, the number of asymmetric digital subscriber lines (ADSL) in the United Kingdom amounted to approximately 4 million units. As a matter of fact, this rise has not only been seen in the high business authorities, but in Broadband for Small business too, we have seen a vast number of subscribers in the business industry.

 But the question is how to know whether the particular Business Broadband Telephone suits your company requirements or not? What will be the relevant speed for your organization? How much growth is mandatory for your organization to have a Business Broadband and Telephone connection? And likewise, what would it cost you? The following instructions will guide you on what to seek to make the most of your investment.

 With the fastest speed with man evolving day by day, the internet has evolved too. And with the internet evolving, businesses have too started to evolve in this circle. Faster speed of business broadband means faster access to work documents and utmost adequate functioning of your website. Uploading files, synchronizing data, and using video conferences to save traveling costs becomes easily accessible when the speed of your Broadband provider is efficient.

 Excellent customer support services 

Losing an internet connection is the last thing an online business wants. So ultimately, one of the most important things a business asks from the Business Broadband and telephone provider is a good customer support service. Certainly, when it comes to business internet, Holdings should be minimal and faster repairs should be the utmost priority of the Business Broadband Provider. 

 Internet security

Certainly, when you are working as an organization, internet security is the most vital for you.

There is confidential data in an organization which simply cannot be afforded to get leaked, so in order to prevent such business firms from hacking, some Business and broadband providers have different and more secure software to protect the organizations from getting hacked, phishing, etc.

 Contention ratio

Let us first understand what the contention ratio is. In simple language, the contention ratio simply defines the number of users that are sharing the same user connectivity. For example, 20:1 means 20 broadband customers using the same bandwidth at a similar time and, therefore, lower the contention ratio, higher the speed of your internet.

 Pricing 

However, like any other service provider, it all comes down to the best overall value for your money. Why pay extra when you can meet your classified needs in just the right amount.

  Conclusion – 

 Whether you are after great lightning speed or looking for a secure and reliable network for your organization, the ultimate Business Broadband Provider will dive deep into all your needs and wants and will offer you the Best Broadband Provider you need to run your organization both effectively and efficiently.

  Previously Published on - Easy Hacks to Getting Best Business Broadband