How CPAs get the Most out of their MSP
September 1, 2020
Your accounting business decided to take advantage of a managed service provider and ushered your IT network into the 21st century – fantastic! However, you should know that this doesn’t mean you get to not ever think about your network or cyber security every again.
Making your managed service provider the best they can be takes effort on both sides, but luckily for you most of the heavy lifting is on their end. Instead, be aware of these preventative measures that should be in place in your office that will make the MSPs job infinitely easier.
Create and Enforce an Acceptable-Use Policy
This may come as a shock to you, but sometimes employees don’t use their work computers strictly just for work activities! OK, maybe that is to be expected but that doesn’t mean they get to use the work computers for whatever they want. Make a wrong move or go to the wrong site on a work computer, and your entire network could be in danger.
An Acceptable-Use Policy (AUP) is a written document stating exactly what your employees can and can’t do with company internet access, computers and email. This will save precious bandwidth and prevent downloading viruses and spyware. An AUP should also educate employees on the appropriate use of your company’s resources. Your MSP can help you draft this document and enforce the policies outlined.
The most important part of the AUP is making sure it’s actually read! Have every single one of your employees read and sign it so you know they are aware of what they can and can’t do on company time with company technology. Malware and viruses occur mainly because of simple human error made by an employee who didn’t know any better. An AUP will save you, and the MSP, the hassle of fixing a very avoidable mistake.
Have Your MSP Monitor Your Network Constantly
Not every managed service provider will do this, but it is an incredible bonus if you can find one that does. If you really want to protect yourself from data loss, viruses, spyware, hackers, downtime and a host of other problems, the best thing you can do is find a computer consultant that offers 24/7/365 monitoring and maintenance of your network.
Some businesses work with MSPs who offer this, but don’t choose to take advantage of it and only call their MSP once something goes wrong. If you take the initiative to allow your MSP to constantly monitor your network, many of these problems will never happen in the first place!
Be a Good Client
Always remember this: “You’ll attract more bees with honey than vinegar.”
A good client – who receives special favors and extra attention from their MSP – always pays their bills on time or early, expresses their appreciation for the work the MSP has done, and lets the MSP know of a complaint right away to give them a chance to make it right. A happy working relationship is a strong working relationship; the more gracious you are to your MSP the better your service will be!
If you’re thinking of hiring an MSP that specializes in cloud technology, read about TOSS C3 here and call us anytime at 1-888-884-8677!
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