TALKING
‘‘ business
There comes a time when every business needs to step back , take stock of its technology stack and consider whether it ’ s time for a change . Doing so doesn ’ t mean anyone ’ s at fault . Businesses regularly outgrow the capabilities that existing providers can offer or find their needs have changed in a way that makes another provider more suitable . Perhaps they ’ ve switched to a more agile business model , which makes partnering with an equally agile provider a logical choice .
Put simply , there are many reasons why a fresh start can be beneficial . Equally , holding on to existing partnerships beyond their natural expiry date can end up being detrimental for all involved . This article will look at three of the most common signs that it ’ s time to move on from your existing provider .
Failure to keep pace with new technology
Keeping on top of the latest technology can be an expensive endeavour , but any provider worth its salt knows it ’ s worth every penny if it helps customers improve operations and empowers employees to learn new skills . As such , if your provider is unwilling / unable to do so , it may well be time to look for a new one . Over reliance on outdated , legacy technology not only hinders customer operations , but it can also put sensitive customer and employee data at risk , particularly if it ’ s no longer supported on a regular basis . Without on-going security patches , such technology quickly becomes vulnerable to cyberattacks and a data breach of any size can have a significant impact on your reputation , financial affairs and ultimately , long-term survival . As such , it ’ s important to ensure that any providers your business partners with are following best practices . Good questions to ask include : ‘ Are they investing in ensuring the security of their software , do they use safe APIs , are they using DevOps and do they have a CISO ?’
Unfortunately , when it comes to legacy technology , many organizations don ’ t help themselves . They have become too comfortable or familiar with it themselves , making them reluctant to change . However , in the end , such an approach benefits no one .
Organizations miss great new tech-based opportunities to save money and / or improve performance , while providers rest on their laurels , causing them to become uncompetitive in the wider market . Providers should be proactive when it comes to keeping you apprised of the latest technology and solutions , especially if they can be an asset to your business .
Ultimately , the key goal of every business is to grow market share and be as competitive as possible . If that isn ’ t possible with your current provider / technology , it ’ s probably time to leave .
Changing business needs and goals
When it comes to data security , taking a ‘ set it and forget it ’ approach is never a good idea . Your provider needs to conduct regular audits to ensure existing policies and procedures are effective and / or make changes wherever needed . If not , there ’ s a strong chance you ’ ll
Ultimately , the key goal of every business is to grow market share and be as competitive as possible .
have blind spots in your protection . Equally , if your provider ’ s IT services aren ' t tailored to meet your own unique needs , vulnerabilities can quickly appear .
Perhaps your business has recently switched your systems to agile . Doing so requires a major cultural shift and another provider – one that ' s also agile – may be better suited to complement your changing needs .
Depending on the sector your business operates in , shifting regulatory compliance requirements can also require major on-going attention . An effective provider should be aware of any changes and be able to offer guidance and advice about the best ways to meet them .
These are just a few of the ways in which business needs and goals can change over time , often with little prior warning . Effective providers should proactively help your business meet these new goals as quickly and efficiently as possible , not act as a barrier to it . If your current provider isn ’ t doing that , it might be time to re-evaluate .
The relationship with your existing provider has become strained or damaged
Perhaps the most obvious catalyst for change is if the relationship with your existing provider has deteriorated
Tim Bandos , CISO and VP Managed Security Services at Digital Guardian
www . intelligentcio . com INTELLIGENTCIO NORTH AMERICA 37