financial it services provide security PLUS agility
Businesses in every industry have already switched to the cloud to host, manage and secure much of their technology infrastructure. Understandably, when it comes to businesses in the financial sector, the adoption of cloud services has been more cautious. The slower pace of cloud adoption was prudent five years ago. Today, if you’re not operating in a hybrid-cloud infrastructure you’ve fallen behind your competition.
Because of the perceived security risks, many financial services firms were hesitant to consider the cloud as a viable solution. However, experts agree that cloud solutions offer excellent security and in most cases, the cloud is more secure than on-premise solutions. In addition, highly respected banking and financial organizations have been operating from the cloud for years. Capital One was the first bank to start working in the Amazon Web Services cloud in October 2015.
Since most of the big guys have transitioned to the cloud, cloud services for smaller firms are experiencing rapid growth. The regulatory and security concerns are lessened when financial services firms work closely with financial IT service providers to design and implement industry-specific solutions. The right solution will not only be more secure but will provide your firm with the agility to keep up with the ever-increasing demands of your clients to have 24/7 access to their financial data.
Financial IT Services Provide:
- Better Security – Besides most experts agreeing that the cloud is now more secure than on-premise solutions, partnering with a Finacial IT Services Provider that offers a layered-security approach to your network and devices will be key. Only work with someone who implements and supports well-known and dependable cloud service providers like Microsoft Azure. Office 365, G-Suite, SolarWinds, and Dropbox for Business. Most financial services firms will utilize a hybrid-cloud system, so you’ll want to work with certified engineers to configure, install and maintain your firewalls, switches, and WiFi access points. Always use modern Endpoint Protection with always-on, always-current anti-virus and anti-malware software on every workstation, desktop, and laptop. With all the right technology in place to protect your IT systems, your biggest vulnerability remains your employees. Ongoing training for your people is essential to your security.
- More Agility – Advancements in technology are disrupting every industry and financial services are near the top of the list. Your clients have greater access to information than they’ve ever had before and they are demanding more from you all the time. You need to be able to adapt as quickly as your competitors, and it seems like new competitors are popping up every day. Apps like Betterment, Stash, Acorns, and Robinhood might not be your competition today but they are attracting a new audience of lower income investors and the ease of their products has millennials flocking to their investing tools. These companies are growing right along-side their investors, always developing new and innovative ways to make the relationship sticky. Are you able to do the same with your technology?
ToSolution offers Financial IT Services. We will design and implement a solution specific to your needs and environment. To learn more about our services, or discuss the benefits of our Flat Rate IT Support, please contact us. There is no pressure and no obligation, we want what’s best for you and your financial services firm – we won’t sell you something that you don’t need.
Not ready to talk yet? We understand. In the meantime take look at what our clients have to say about our fully managed it service here.