In today's technology-driven world, businesses rely on information technology (IT) more than ever before. From data management to network security, IT is a critical component of daily business operations. However, with so many organisations relying on technology, it is essential to have a solid IT support system in place to ensure business continuity.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought this need into even sharper focus, as businesses have had to adapt to remote working and changes in supply chain management. According to a study by the Business Continuity Institute, IT failure was the top cause of disruption for businesses in 2020, with 60% of organisations experiencing IT disruptions during the year.
IT support is critical to business continuity, and there are several reasons why:
- Minimising Downtime: IT support teams are responsible for maintaining IT infrastructure and responding to issues that arise. Downtime can be costly for businesses, with one report finding that the average cost of IT downtime is £3,350 per minute. A good IT support team can help prevent downtime by monitoring and maintaining systems to ensure they run smoothly.
- Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity is a growing concern for businesses, with cyber-attacks becoming more sophisticated and frequent. A report by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport found that 46% of UK businesses identified at least one cybersecurity breach or attack in 2020. IT support can help protect businesses from cyber threats and ensure that data is safe and secure.
- Expertise: IT support professionals have the expertise and knowledge needed to keep systems running smoothly. They are trained to handle a wide range of issues and can provide guidance and advice on the latest technologies and best practices.
- Compliance: Compliance with regulations such as GDPR is critical for businesses. IT support teams can help ensure that systems and processes are compliant with regulations and can help businesses avoid costly fines.
- Business Continuity: The most important role of IT support is to ensure business continuity. By providing round-the-clock monitoring and support, IT teams can help prevent disruptions and ensure that businesses can continue to operate even during unforeseen circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
In conclusion, IT support is a critical component of business continuity. Without a strong IT support system in place, businesses risk downtime, security breaches, and lost revenue. By investing in quality IT support, businesses can ensure that their IT infrastructure is up-to-date, secure, and reliable. According to a survey by Gartner, businesses that fail to invest in IT support can lose up to £560,000 per hour due to downtime, making it clear that IT support is a critical investment for businesses in the 21st century.
