Onsite cybersecurity preventive maintenance is one of the most critical and often overlooked actions to stave off cybersecurity hacks. Interestingly, many Managed Service Providers (MSPs) prefer to perform remote PMs because they are time-consuming and not billable. At worst, many independent contractors and internal IT people skip it altogether.
What Are the Benefits of a Good Cybersecurity Preventive Maintenance Program?
There is one thing for sure regarding technology: things go wrong, and often strange things too. For instance, settings and configurations change, and the backups and monitoring stop working. Unfortunately, these things often manifest themselves during the worst possible times. Yet, cybersecurity PMs will decrease your downtime by providing a more secure, efficient, and reliable way to keep your network healthy.
For this reason, you should perform cybersecurity preventive maintenance quarterly or semi-annually onsite to ensure everything on your network runs safely and adequately. Things like this separate great MSPs from break/fix shops.
What Does Onsite Cybersecurity Preventive Maintenance Include?
A solid onsite cybersecurity preventive maintenance plan includes the following:
- Documentation – keep all documentation on the network up to date for easy handoff.
- Backups – ensure your backups are working correctly in case of system failure or ransomware attacks.
- Updates & Patches – updates and patches are performed on both applications and operating systems to prevent hacking attempts.
- Cable Checks – check cabling and fiber to ensure it is not degraded and functioning correctly for reliable Internet connections.
- Errors – review the logs and check the hardware for potential future failure.
- Network Utilization – Check devices for network utilization or any network communication errors.
- User Accounts – ensure employees who have left the company have been deleted and verify all administrative access on the network is correct.
- Disk Usage – Check drive space and recommend changes.
- Monitoring Tools – ensure daily reporting is working correctly.
- System Security – ensure your security settings and configuration are correct and working.
- Expiration – verify that expiration on hardware warranties, DNS name registration, and vendor software agreements are accurate.
- Password Policy – Verify password complexity and expiration on all accounts.
Why Do PMs Have to Be Onsite?
Many things can go wrong if your provider only performs remote PMs. However, the most critical reason is cybersecurity and network security. Subsequently, onsite PMs identify issues that may arise before your next checkup. Such things include:
- Physical Security – During preventive maintenance, engineers ensure the network is secure and locked up. For example, some people leave their server room doors open and passwords posted right next to the computer or in front of an open window. The engineer ensures the servers are locked and protected to prevent theft or onsite hacks.
- Straighten-Up Junky Server Room – Workers sometimes use the server room as a storage space. When this happens, cleaning solutions can leak, boxes can block air vents, and dust builds up inside the server. During PMs, the engineer ensures the server room is clean and not endangered.
- Ensure Monitoring Tools Are Working – Sometimes, sensors stop working and won’t send alerts. This often happens when a new update or patch is applied. As a result, you will not receive alerts on things like failed hard drives or bad actors. Onsite PMs ensure the sensors are functioning correctly.
- Validate Temperature Sensors are Working – Temperature sensors also malfunction. As a result, hot server rooms usually lead to failed parts. During the regular PMs, engineers will ensure the room is cool and ventilated.
- Ensure Backups are Safe – Workers sometimes leave tapes or other forms of backup next to the server. This can be very costly if there is a fire or theft. A regular PM verifies your backup policies are carried out as planned.
- Verify Backups are Working – It is imperative to perform a backup restore at least twice a year to verify the backups are working. This will allow you to recover from a Ransomware attack by simply rolling back to the last clean backup.
- Safety of End User Devices – Often discarded laptops or PCs are left unsecured. This can pose a real issue if the devices still have sensitive data.
- Verify Terminated Employees are Removed from System – People come and go and it is important to retrieve their computer, wipe it, and terminate them off the system when they leave. Otherwise, they will still have access if their credentials are still valid on the server.
How Do You Know if PMs Are Being Performed?
All scheduled preventive maintenance should be onsite. The PM visit allows the IT Support Company to perform all maintenance that could not be done remotely and allow them the opportunity to review their findings face-to-face. Consider it a red flag if you don’t see them.
INSI’s Cybersecurity Preventive Maintenance Promise!
INSI believes PMs are necessary to support our clients. Our holistic approach to cybersecurity and IT support prevents problems from happening. We believe cybersecurity starts with server maintenance and carries out to end-user devices. In other words, we take important steps to save time and money and do what is best for the client.
Top Atlanta GA Cybersecurity Preventive Maintenance Company
For more information about cybersecurity preventative maintenance for your company, contact the top MSP in Atlanta, Contact INSI: 770-387-2424, option 2. In addition, we also offer a preventive maintenance program for internal IT departments for unbiased verification.
About INSI: The Best MSP in Atlanta!
Innovative Network Systems, Inc. has a unique approach to integrating IT support and cybersecurity. Our month-to-month programs range from basic support to proactive support, managed support, and customized support. Each program is tailored to the client’s needs and internal IT strengths.
For more information about cybersecurity dangers and the preventative measures for your company, connect with the top MSP in Atlanta; Contact INSI: 770-387-2424, option 2 or click the link below. In addition, we offer 16 different cybersecurity programs to protect you and your data.
About the Author
Deborah Frazier is the author of IT Outsourcing Secrets – A Small Business Guide to Compare IT Support Companies. With nearly 20 years of experience consulting small and medium-sized businesses on their IT support needs, she brings a wealth of knowledge to INSI as Head of Marketing and Sales. If you like this article and want to be notified when a new article is posted, click here.
