Proactive vs Reactive IT Services: Fixing Your IT Problems Before They Break
It’s no secret that technology can be a huge asset to businesses of all sizes. But it’s also a fact that IT problems can cost companies time, money, and even customers if not addressed quickly and effectively. That’s why proactive IT services are becoming increasingly popular for business owners who want to stay ahead of potential issues.
Here, we’ll explore the benefits of proactive vs reactive IT services so you can decide which approach is best for your organization.
The Differences Between Reactive vs Proactive IT Services
When it comes to IT services, proactive and reactive approaches offer very different solutions.
The Reactive IT Approach
Reactive IT is exactly what it sounds like: reactive. When an issue occurs, the solution is to react and fix it after the fact. Many IT companies still operate on the reactive (or break-fix) model. While this approach is better than not fixing a problem at all, taking a reactive approach could threaten the security and uptime of your business.
For instance, you experience a data breach and your files and accounts are compromised. Now, your IT provider is scrambling trying to figure out the cause, patch it up, and make sure no other breaches occur. You only budgeted for an hour of their time, but the breach took several hours to fix. At the end of this catastrophe, you’re left with an expensive bill, serious downtime, and a lot of worry. This is a reactive approach.
The main features of the reactive IT approach include the following:
- Problems are addressed after they happen
- Firefighting to resolve IT issues
- Band-aid solutions that don’t get to the root of the problem
- Increased risk for future issues and outages
- Final bills exceeding original estimates
The Proactive IT Approach
In contrast, proactive IT is an approach where you take a proactive mindset and preventative steps toward avoiding problems before they even start. This approach is based on the idea that proactive maintenance and regular monitoring will help you detect any issues before they become a problem.
With proactive IT, your IT provider works with you to create an environment where critical data is backed up regularly and monitored for potential threats. This model can help reduce the risk of data loss due to human error, malicious attack, or system failure.
Main features of proactive IT include the following:
- Preventative measures are taken to address issues before they occur
- Proactive maintenance and regular monitoring for potential threats
- Continuous improvement—proactive measures can help isolate problems quicker
- Lower overall costs due to preventative strategies in place
- Increased uptime and security
Proactive IT Is Advantageous and Keeps Your Business Competitive
Proactive IT services can be incredibly advantageous for businesses that want to take charge of managing their technology. Businesses can drastically decrease the chances of data loss and malicious attacks by being proactive in monitoring and maintaining their systems.
Recent reports on cyber threats reveal that more than 50% of threats began with a zero-day exploit in 2021, meaning proactive IT services provide a much-needed shield for companies. A zero-day exploit is when a hacker capitalizes on a hidden vulnerability in a computer system, exploiting it for malicious purposes.
Additionally, proactive IT services can help businesses stay competitive in their industry. With proactive measures in place, such as regular updates and proactive maintenance, businesses can maximize the performance of their systems and increase productivity, which helps them remain ahead of the curve in terms of output and customer service.
Stay Ahead of Threats with Total IT
Managed IT services are the way to go if you want proactive IT management. At Total IT, we offer managed services that include more than just proactive monitoring and maintenance. Our service also covers solutions in cybersecurity, data backup and recovery, and more.
Our team of experts is dedicated to delivering IT services that fit your specific budget and needs, so you can focus on running your business. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about how our services can help keep your business secure 24/7.