Be Honest, Do you know how to compare IT providers?

“Our current IT provider does this,” William exclaimed.

Underdog Cyber Defense is an IT provider specializing in cybersecurity and solutions for our clients. However, when I speak to new prospects, I usually get one of two responses.

• Our current IT provider does that.
• We don’t need that service.

When I ask some additional questions, in most cases, that statement is invalid, and there is a glaring blind spot in their business security.

To be clear, I am not saying the IT provider is dishonest or the individual is evasive. Instead, I have come to the following conclusion.

• There is an enormous gap between what most people believe their IT provider does and what their IT provider has communicated they provide.
• Most People don’t realize that, just like doctors and lawyers. IT providers specialize, too.

The reason for this is simple: technology is an enormous mystery for many people. They will lump everything from phone repair to web design as “IT.”

As this is a huge topic to cover, I'm going to break it down into two separate articles. This first part will examine how to compare IT providers, while the second part will explore what your IT provider actually does for your business.

How do you compare IT Providers?

When comparing IT providers, it becomes difficult because there is no standard “naming convention” or product. There will be similar phrasing and coined terms, but the delivery is how they say the “Devil is in the details.”

I’ll explain it differently. You go to two bakeries to buy a simple chocolate cake. One cake costs $25.00, and the other costs $50.00. They are the same size and appear identical at the surface level. However, below the surface, there are important distinctions that could easily justify the price difference.

The more expensive cake is made from the finest quality imported chocolate. It's hand-blended, making it richer and creamier than other types of chocolate. The more expensive cake is made with more eggs, making it fluffier. It's also freshly made for each customer.

While the ingredients themselves are the same (chocolate, flour, eggs, milk, etc.), the details make all the difference. In this case, those details relate to the quality of the ingredients and the way in which the cake was prepared for the customer.

Similarly, there are key distinctions that must be considered when comparing IT providers. As the business owner or decision-maker, you must decide what is important to you.

For instance:

• Are you in a compliance-regulated industry, such as the FTC Safeguards (GLBA) and HIPAA, or are you concerned about cyber attacks? If so, you should look for a security-first IT provider.
• If you want an IT provider that understands the nuances of your industry, you’ll want to ensure they have knowledge and work with businesses in your industry.
• If you want an IT provider with local resources, you will want to make sure your provider is local and has local staff.
• Can your IT provider clearly articulate what services and solutions they provide without using “tech speak”? It’s essential to communicate clearly with your IT provider. Yes, knowing how to do it is important, but articulating what they are doing is absolutely critical. This helps avoid potential misunderstandings later down the road.
• Does your IT provider meet with you frequently? It doesn’t need to be anything official, but a quick and dirty update might be all you need. Everyone is different; some people want quick information, others want details, so be sure to discuss this with your IT provider. They should be flexible, and if they are not, determine how important this is to you.

Want to Find the Right IT Services for Your Business?

Underdog Cyber Defense specializes in cybersecurity and we pride ourselves on communicating essential information to our clients so you can feel safe and secure. But that's just looking at the surface. If you really want to know what makes us better than our competitors, then, just like the cake example, it's important to take a closer look. When we meet, our team will explain everything you need to know so you can make an informed decision moving forward.

Contact us today and schedule a consultation.

Read part two: How Well Do You Know What Your IT Provider Does?