As we approach 2025, organizations increasingly focus on leveraging technology for growth, security, improving I.T. support, and incorporating artificial intelligence. Partnering with your I.T. provider in strategic planning is essential for navigating the evolving business landscape. Involving your I.T. provider in the planning process ensures that your technology strategy aligns with your overall business strategy.
Your I.T. provider deeply understands your technology infrastructure, offering valuable insights to assist in your technology strategy and business goals while maximizing your investments. They also help identify potential risks and industry trends, ensuring your I.T. systems remain reliable and competitive.
This collaboration fosters innovation and continuous improvement, allowing you to develop technology solutions that drive business success and achieve your strategic objectives.
How Your Managed I.T. Provider Supports Your Growth Initiatives
In today's fast-paced business environment, growth is a top priority for many organizations. By leveraging our deep industry knowledge and experience, a managed I.T. provider will help organizations identify growth opportunities and create actionable plans to capitalize on them. According to a study by Deloitte, companies that invest in technology are 2.6 times more likely to experience high growth. Whether it's through adopting new technologies, optimizing existing systems, or implementing innovative solutions, a solid managed I.T. provider ensures that your I.T. infrastructure supports your growth initiatives.
Enhancing Cybersecurity in Strategic Planning
In today's digital business landscape, cybersecurity is not just a technical issue but a critical component of strategic planning. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are increasingly becoming targets for cyberattacks, making it imperative to prioritize cybersecurity in our strategic initiatives.
Recent statistics highlight the urgency of this matter. One in three SMBs has fallen victim to cyberattacks such as ransomware, phishing, or data breaches. The financial impact of these attacks is significant, with costs averaging more than $250,000 and potentially reaching up to $7 million.[i] Furthermore, four in five small enterprises in the U.S. experienced a data or security breach in the past year, with financial losses averaging more than $500,000.[ii] The FBI has also noted a dramatic rise in cyberattacks on SMBs, as attackers increasingly target these businesses due to their often weaker security postures.[iii]
Penetration testing is a crucial component of a robust security strategy for 2025. It involves simulating cyber-attacks on your systems to identify vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them. By conducting regular or continuous penetration tests, organizations can uncover weaknesses in their security posture and take proactive measures to address them. This not only helps in preventing data breaches but also ensures compliance with industry regulations.
Given these alarming trends, enhancing your cybersecurity framework as part of our strategic planning for 2025 is crucial. This involves investing in advanced security technologies, conducting regular security audits, and fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness among employees. By doing so, Managed I.T. companies protect your business from potential threats and ensure the continuity and resilience of our operations.
Incorporating Artificial Intelligence (A.I.)
Artificial intelligence is transforming organizations' operations, offering new opportunities for efficiency and innovation. A recent business report by IBM found that about 42% of the respondents surveyed had A.I. actively used in their businesses. Additionally, 59% of those companies surveyed already exploring or deploying A.I. say they have accelerated their rollout or investments in the technology.[iv]
While A.I. has the potential for dramatically improving businesses, it does come with risks. According to Gartner, 52% of organizations report that risk factors are critical when evaluating new A.I.[v] Your managed I.T. provider should be providing guidance on selecting the right A.I. technologies, integrating them with existing systems, and ensuring that they deliver measurable benefits. By leveraging A.I., organizations can safely automate routine tasks, gain deeper insights from their data, and enhance decision-making processes.
Improving I.T. Support
Improving I.T. support is crucial for maintaining the performance and reliability of your technology infrastructure. I.T. is no longer a 9-5 role; it's a 24/7 responsibility to ensure the system maintains integrity and is optimally running. Working with a managed service provider eases the burden on employees and in-house teams. Studies have shown that managed services can significantly reduce I.T. expenses and improve operational efficiency. For instance, businesses that engage with a managed service provider can cut I.T. expenses by 25% to 45% and boost operational efficiency by 45% to 65%.[vi] Additionally, a survey by CompTIA found that 50% of companies who engaged an MSP saved in annual I.T. costs, while 33% saved 25-49%, and 13% reported savings of more than 50%.[vii]
Moreover, managed I.T. services can reduce recurring in-house costs by up to 40% and increase efficiency by 50% to 60%.[viii] Managed I.T. services allow businesses to allocate the resources saved towards growth initiatives and provide an excellent work environment for their employees.
Navigating Regulatory Compliance
A managed I.T. company is crucial in helping organizations navigate compliance and regulatory requirements during strategic planning. According to a report by Secureframe, 70% of corporate risk and compliance professionals have noticed a shift from check-the-box compliance to a more strategic approach over the past two to three years.[ix] Compliance regulations, including GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOC, Graham-Leach, and others, are becoming more complex. Leaning on your Managed I.T. provider, they can provide expert guidance on relevant regulations, conduct comprehensive compliance assessments, and assist in developing robust compliance policies. Additionally, they offer ongoing monitoring to ensure adherence to evolving regulations, provide employee training and awareness programs, and maintain proper documentation and reporting for compliance purposes. By partnering with a managed I.T. company, organizations can address their compliance needs, avoid potential fines, and enhance their reputation and trustworthiness in the market.
Conclusion
As organizations prepare for 2025, strategic I.T. consulting and managed services are essential for achieving growth, enhancing security, incorporating A.I., improving I.T. support, ensuring regulatory compliance, and enhancing disaster recovery. At Alcott Enterprises, we are committed to helping organizations navigate the complexities of the digital landscape and achieve their strategic goals.
About the Author
Named one of Inc Magazine's 5000 fastest-growing private companies in America, Alcott Enterprises is an award-winning national information technology consulting and cybersecurity company delivering agile I.T. strategies and next-generation I.T. managed services.
Alcott Enterprises' work has grabbed the attention of CRN Magazine, naming Alcott Enterprises as one of the top 500 Managed Service Providers in North America.
Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, Alcott Enterprises offers over 50+ years of combined industry experience, with senior leadership comprised of Fortune 500 senior I.T. executives. Our experts have been leading digital transformations, providing consulting services, and managing the technical infrastructure for companies of all sizes across various industries.
Sources Used
[i] Microsoft. (2024). “7 cybersecurity trends and tips for small and medium businesses to stay protected.”
[ii] TechRadar. (2024). “More and more small businesses are being hit with security attacks — but they're fighting back.”
[iii] Embroker. (2024). “2024 Must-Know Cyber Attack Statistics and Trends.”
[iv] IBM. (2024). “Data Suggests Growth in Enterprise Adoption of AI is Due to Widespread Deployment…”
[v] Gartner. (2023). “Gartner Survey Finds 55% of Organizations That Have Deployed AI Take…”
[vi] CloudSecureTech. (2024). “Top 11 Benefits of Managed IT Services for Your Business.”
[vii] CompTIA. (2011). “Trends in Managed Services.”
[viii] Cisco. (2011). “What You Need to Know about Managed Services.”
[ix] Secureframe. (2024). “110 Compliance Statistics to Know for 2025.”