Security scanning and evaluation tools play a crucial role in assessing a business's need for IT and cybersecurity services. At SymTec, we've utilized several of these tools to quickly identify potential site vulnerabilities. However, we understand that these tools are often used as sales tactics, presenting information in a way that exaggerates vulnerabilities. Our goal is to provide accurate and informative data without resorting to scare tactics, adhering to industry best practices, and maintaining ethical standards.
A few years ago, we consulted with a potential client who had an in-house IT professional. We had a productive conversation and valued the individual's contributions. The business was deciding whether to outsource all IT needs or to supplement their in-house IT with a Managed Service Provider (MSP). While there were areas for improvement, we encouraged the business to retain their IT professional and support his efforts with an MSP.
Unexpectedly, the IT professional reacted negatively to our evaluation. He accused us of fearmongering and exaggerating issues. This reaction was surprising, as our intent was to highlight necessary improvements without assigning blame. We recognized that the IT professional simply didn't have enough time to address all tasks.
This experience prompted us to rethink how we present information. Initially, like many companies, we compared everything against our own standards and advised prospects based on our expectations. Over time, we've matured and adopted a better approach.
As advisors, we now focus on helping clients make informed decisions. We ask business-oriented questions that anyone can understand, enabling businesses to establish their own IT standards. The key is making purposeful decisions about what is critical and what is less important. This allows for prioritizing critical issues while considering budget constraints.
Introducing the Business IT Strategy Creation Guide
Our evolved process has been so successful that we've automated it into a tool to help business owners quickly and easily guide their IT solutions. Once all questions are answered, the tool generates a comprehensive policy document based on the user's IT decisions. This document serves as a roadmap for the IT team, ensuring they adhere to the expected standards.
How It Works
By answering 36 questions, our tool generates a policy document that will guide you in the needed abilities of your IT systems and support team. Budget constraints may necessitate adjustments, but the goal is to implement purposeful changes with an understanding of the associated risks and vulnerabilities.
Upon completion of the assessment, you will receive 2 documents:
- Policy Development: Customize IT policies to meet your business needs and enhance security.
- Gap Assessment: Identify discrepancies between your IT environment and your expectations. Develop a strategy to align them.
Benefits for Businesses
- Focused IT Efforts: IT teams spend time on projects that align with business objectives.
- Preparedness: Business data is restored within the expected timeframe during system outages.
- Cost Savings: Cybersecurity costs are optimized by targeting true risks and areas of concern.
- Clear Solutions: Avoid implementing wrong solutions by understanding non-negotiable features and abilities.
- Unified Team: IT team members work collaboratively with management, accelerating company progress.
IT solutions should be tailored to your business. Our quick and easy tool helps you set acceptable standards for your business, ensuring that your IT strategy aligns with your goals and budget.
