IT Services Help Nonprofit Organizations
IT Services

5 Ways Managed IT Services Help Nonprofit Organizations (NPOs)

Nonprofit organizations are known for their important missions. These groups of people dedicate themselves to making our world a better place, and they do so in many different ways! 

The ability of nonprofit organizations to succeed is based not only on their seemingly bottomless determination and selflessness but also on making the best use of available digital technology. The majority of nonprofit organizations are not using technology in a way that benefits them the most. Only 11% view their digital approach as highly effective, according to NetCharge’s long-running survey on this topic. That is why most NPOs are generating less revenue and achieving limited success. They rely on outdated processes and waste their financial resources by supporting legacy infrastructure that doesn’t serve users’ needs well enough or provide them with any value in return. While they also spend time trying to solve technical problems when none can be solved effectively from within these organizations themselves. 

The answer? Partnering with an MSP that understands the unique technological needs of NPOs and has plenty of experience in overcoming typical constraints in all organizations. The right Managed IT services firm then helps in the following ways.

1. Hassle-Free Access to New Technologies

The information technology (IT) industry has been evolving faster than most nonprofit organizations can keep up. For the last several years, we’ve witnessed an explosion in cloud computing. The cloud is a revolution in IT. It has allowed businesses to scale their infrastructures quickly and enjoy increased security and efficiency at lower costs than ever before, with no risk of data loss or disruption due to the advancement of technology. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are presumed to be the following vast drivers of competitive advantage, with artificial neurons being able to help us enhance our productivity in many ways.

MSPs are committed to making new technologies more accessible for their customers, and they do so by leveraging economies of scale. It allows them to offer affordable prices that even cash-strapped nonprofits afford with best-in-class digital solutions!

IT is a complex and quickly evolving field. MSPs provide organizations with assistance from initial planning through implementing their selected solution, eliminating any need for an in-house IT department while still offering tailored support that can be scaled based on your needs– all this at minimal costs!

2. Predictable IT Budgeting

Finances are tight, so every IT expense must be justified well and planned even better. It’s unfortunate when an IT employee resigns from their position. It is a significant setback for any organization, especially one struggling to find qualified staff members in this tight market environment. They say that peace of mind is worth more than any other gift and outsource your IT needs to an MSP for just this reason. You’ll never worry about budget cuts again! 

MSPs offer a variety of pricing options that reflect each customer’s size and complexity level. It allows them to accurately predict how much an IT project will cost while reducing all other expenses into one fixed fee. When NPOs know precisely how much money they need to allocate toward IT each month, the other essential business functions are better supported.

3. Robust Data Security and Compliance

It’s not just the money that NPOs spend on building relationships with their donors, but even one data breach incident is enough to harm them irreparably. It’s a sad situation when donors discover that their personal information has been exposed in breaches. They often feel betrayed and mentally impacted by the attack, making them susceptible to legal consequences for soon donating again. 

The cybersecurity landscape is so vast and complex that even small NPOs with a limited online presence need to see it as a necessary investment. Cybersecurity-savvy MSPs can perform initial vulnerability assessments that discover all weaknesses before suggesting implementing a set of controls and policies for eliminating threats. 

4. Ongoing Business Continuity Management

The smaller organizations sometimes believe that the mere existence of backups provides sufficient protection against all kinds of data loss disasters. In reality, backups are helpful if updated recently and tested to ensure their recoverability. They should also be stored in multiple safe locations across the world. 

The most comprehensive business continuity management program meets all three requirements to ensure your organization’s stability in case of disaster. What’s the worst thing about these types of plans? They typically realize how inadequate their backup is only when it’s too late.

NPOs shouldn’t spread themselves thin in a data loss incident by implementing their business continuity management program from scratch. They should leave this critically important task up to experts at what they do. 

When you work with an MSP with a wealth of experience in backup and disaster recovery, they can help avoid common implementation mistakes to guarantee that your data is always recoverable under the worst conditions imaginable. 

5. Workplace Flexibility and Scalability

The needs and means of NPOs also change rapidly. We live in challenging times, but this gives us more reason to persevere! The volunteers are collecting donations from members of their communities. The next day, they must shelter in place and work only from home as a safety measure for themselves or others around them during an emergency. 

The unpredictable nature of uncertainty in the current climate means that NPOs must be flexible and scalable, which isn’t possible when they rely on static IT resources or staff.

MSPs know that their customers’ needs will change, and as such, they offer a variety of services to meet those fluctuations best.

MSPs make workplace flexibility and scalability a reality with their vast services. It includes everything from flexible pricing to cloud migration support, making it easy for businesses who desire greater control over how they operate in the modern office environment while still meeting business needs throughout various stages. 

Managed IT Services for Nonprofits from ITsGuru

At ITsGuru, we strive to work with nonprofit organizations so that they can use available technology solutions and better accomplish their essential missions.

We have a team of experts devoted to providing comprehensive IT services. Our wide range includes everything from managing your networks and servers to cybersecurity solutions – even end-user support! We take care of all aspects to eliminate unexpected expenses to provide this service at an affordable price every month without interruption or delays. 

Contact us today to learn more about how our managed IT services can help your nonprofit organization thrive.

IT Services

No Need to  Weep Over Wanna Cry Software– Get IT Support in Houston Today!

There is a high need to get back on track with IT support companies in Houston. We will discuss how to use our technical skills and resources to recover from ransomware attacks like WannaCry, one of the most pernicious malware worms in recent memory.

WannaCry is extremely powerful ransomware that has caused worldwide chaos and destruction. It operates by exploiting a known “back door” included in Windows software created at the NSA’s behest, discovered in March. Still, patches were immediately issued after its discovery, so no one should’ve been vulnerable until now. We all know that the patch was released in May to protect us from intrusion, but it seems like not everyone got their message. The worm utilizes SMB ports which can lead individuals into a pernicious program designed for Bitcoin payment processing, which will restrict what you do with your data and make payments difficult if not impossible. 

WannaKey

WannaKey is a new software that can help some users get their files back without paying the bitcoin fee. The software was released on Friday, May 19th, 2017, and it’s designed for Windows XP private keys, which are then used in WanaCry decryption using traces from an old version of Microsoft Office or other similar programs. With some computers, you can weather the storm without having to wipe or reboot from an older “save.”

Wired.com recently broke the story about WannaKey software, and they cautioned that you shouldn’t give your computer a reboot before applying this solution. It should be left alone until then because the fragments used for decryption may disappear if we do so now or later on down the line when applied. WannaKey has been designed so that those who create it do not entirely delete access to the secondary key given when the ransom is paid. It means that there is always some form of secondary key left in place, which makes decryption possible for hackers looking at paying you back by using your computer or phone as part of their encryption system. 

Additional Strategies

There are plenty of ways users can protect themselves from ransomware without a key, and several options include:

  • BDR Solutions
  • Cloud Computing Security
  • Proper Security Education & Protocols

The SMB port is a valuable tool for sharing information over networks, but it can’t be compromised the way WannaCry was. National security agencies like NSA protect specific ports, and others need more protection than just an open protocol. They’re designed that way due to the country’s safety. The IT support in Houston can provide you with BDR solutions that allow for a reboot of infected machines and entire networks, all while increasing expediency. Cloud computing becomes possible, curtailing downtime significantly and providing better security measures to combat the ever-growing cybercrime problem we face today. Cloud-based providers are constantly working to keep your information safe. They have a responsibility not just for themselves but also the other clients that use their services, which means they monitor everything remotely and automatically through constant backup routines in case anything happens. 

Education & Solutions

WannaCry might be a wake-up call for many companies. However, it’s important to note that ransomware is facilitated through government interference with private enterprises. It means not only should your employees and security be trained on how best to protect themselves from digital attacks like these. There is also a need for an open line of communication between all levels within any organization. It ensures no one gets left out in the cold when threats arise.

When considering the importance and complexity of current operations, it’s no wonder that proper backup protocols are integral to avoiding suspicious emails while simultaneously inculcating an attitude that shows respect.

A professional touch can make all these elements work together in harmony for your organization’s safety. Passwords are a prime example of how lazy habits can compromise security. The most common passwords are often the easiest to guess. Please make sure you change account Passwords regularly and make it difficult for hackers by using complicated characters, numbers or special symbols in addition to letters from different languages. When you need IT support in Katy, ItsGuru can provide a wide range of services to keep your systems secure and running smoothly. We offer affordable solutions that are cost-effective as well. Contact ItsGuru for education, security, insurance against hackers in Houston now.