What Are Managed Data Services?

Many companies tend to underestimate the importance of keeping their data safe and secure. Even if you're not a data or a technology company, you can't afford to neglect your data security measures. 

Without uninterrupted access to your data, it's unlikely that your company will be able to function effectively. It's estimated that IT downtime could cost your organization as much as $5,600 per minute. 

Data leaks could also do extreme reputational damage to your company. You simply can't afford not to have your data properly safeguarded. So what can you do to make sure you're protected? One solution is to work with managed data services. 

This article explains what exactly is meant by managed data services and explains how they could help your organization. 

What Are Managed Data Services?

Essentially, managed data services are an external IT support company that you pay to be responsible for handling your company data. Basically, they are a form of managed IT solutions, but they have a more narrow focus. 

Managed data services have become necessary due to the overwhelming volume of data companies have to deal with. Keeping track of and properly archiving this data is an essential part of modern business. Not only is it important to keep customer data confidential for legal reasons, but this data could also provide you with incredible insights into your business and customer base. 

Machine learning algorithms can interpret staggering amounts of data and uncover useful trends and patterns that no human could ever pick up on. Unfortunately, all this means that the business of handling data is becoming increasingly complex. 

If you're not a technology company, you'll almost certainly struggle to keep up to date with all the latest developments. Hiring a managed data services company is a great way to cut through the confusion and the complexity. This allows you to stay on track and focus on the day-to-day runnings of your business. 

Secure Storage

A big part of managed data services is helping clients with safe and secure storage. Not only do you need to make sure your data is safe, but you also need to make sure your storage methods comply with regulations. 

If you're dealing with a large volume of data, this can be a challenge. A data managed services company can help you to implement a secure storage system that works for your company's individual needs. 

Data Backups

It simply isn't realistic to store your data in such a way that it's impervious to any kind of problem. In recent years, cybercriminals have started to target companies and their mission-critical data. 

For example, ransomware is one of the biggest threats out there today. The good news is that managed data services can protect you. Ransomware works by encrypting the victim organizations' files in such a way that they're rendered unreadable. 

The only way to open the files again is to get the decryption key from the hackers. Usually, the hackers will demand a cash payment via a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin. Once the payment is made, the hackers promise that they'll release the decryption codes.

Of course, even if you pay, the hackers might not help you decrypt your files. In some cases, ransomware doesn't even have the ability to decrypt built into it. It's simply a way to extort money out of companies. 

Managed data services can render ransomware useless by creating a comprehensive backup of all your files. If you have a good file backup system in place, the ransomware is rendered useless. 

You simply revert to a previous configuration, and the hackers are rendered powerless.

A Proactive Approach

When dealing with crucial company data, you should take a proactive approach. This is what managed data services specialize in. They help you identify potential future threats to your company data, and they help you mitigate those risks before they have a chance to materialize. 

For example, they might identify a potential angle for a data breach on your company servers. Or they might find evidence that data isn't being properly backed up. 

These are the kinds of things that you need to deal with as soon as possible. If you don't address these kinds of issues, the impact on your company could be devastating. You'll then be left implementing the kinds of measures you could've proactively introduced anyway. 

The only difference will be that you've lost many work hours or trust from your customers. Smart businesses always look for ways to eliminate risks before they lead to a nasty situation. 

Emergency Situations

Of course, accidents can happen. Sometimes you'll have a situation where you need to recover crucial data from a compromised device. For example, sometimes a hard drive can fail, and you didn't have a backup in place. 

In this situation, all isn't necessarily lost. A managed data services company can help you to recover the files on the failed drive. Sometimes they'll be able to recover all of the data, or sometimes they'll even be able to recover it all.  

Server outages could also have a major impact on your organization. In many cases, this could prevent a lot of your employees from getting any work done whatsoever. 

A managed data services company can help you repair your servers and get them back online as soon as possible. 

Secure Your Data Today

As a business owner, you can't afford to take risks when it comes to your data. Some of the biggest threats your company faces relate to data loss. If you want to keep your organization safe against these risks, one of the best things you can do is hire a managed data services company.  

A managed data services company can help you take a proactive approach by protecting you against serious data loss. If you want to work with a quality data management company, contact us today.