A virtual CIO (virtual chief information officer) or vCIO is a professional that businesses will hire to handle their IT remotely. There are many benefits to hiring a vCIO, especially in uncertain economic times. If you are looking to streamline your IT strategies or need help with your growing business, here are some things to consider about hiring a vCIO.

Why your business could use a vCIO

You may be asking yourself why you would need to hire a virtual chief information officer if you don’t run a large business. The truth is, every business needs IT solutions of some sort. Whether you have someone in-house or choose to outsource, someone has to manage your strategies. If you’ve experienced some of the following, you could benefit from hiring a vCIO!

1. You have an IT tech to help you handle data output, input, storage, and basic security, but they are too busy to manage your increasing needs.
2. You have minimal data security, aren’t sure how to handle data, or feel overwhelmed by the thought of managing your IT.
3. Your business is growing fast and you can’t keep up with technology, even though you know it is vital for your success.
4. Your IT team has reported that there are more issues than they have the resources to handle.
5. You don’t have any IT support at all.
6. Your IT solutions are outdated and you aren’t sure what to get.

How hiring a vCIO can help your company

Whether your business is small or you run a company with multiple locations, you have an IT structure. In order to decide which benefits will actually help strengthen that structure, it is important to set up a consultation with a trusted managed IT service provider. They can help you create an inventory of your current needs and make sense of solutions that you don’t necessarily want. Now on to some of the benefits!

Your vCIO will have extensive experience and knowledge

Because virtual chief information officers work with so many businesses, they understand each one is unique. Their experience can help them know exactly what your IT needs are. Their skills will include business management, strategic planning, and responsiveness. Here are some other skills your vCIO should demonstrate.

• They can identify important initiatives, priorities, and ROI goals.
• To increase success, they will help you develop processes to match your current IT structure.
• If necessary, they can ensure you stay compliant with any laws related to your industry.
• Your vCIO can evaluate your team for skills and areas of improvement.
• If you don’t have an IT manager, they can fill this role for you.
• When you’re too busy to handle resource management and vendor communications, they will be able to handle this task.

A virtual CIO will enhance your cybersecurity

This is perhaps one of the most important services your vCIO will offer your business. Cybersecurity threats have become increasingly complex, sophisticated, and dangerous in recent years. Businesses must be proactive in their approach to defending themselves against such threats. Here’s how a virtual CIO can help you do this for your company!

• They provide insight into what cybersecurity measures you need to take to protect your data, resources, and infrastructure.
• They are skilled at conducting assessments of current security systems and identifying weak points that need attention.
• vCIOs can help you keep up with the latest trends in cybersecurity. They can also educate you and your team on best practices for keeping your systems secure.
• Your vCIO will warn you about potential security issues in your industry and the broader technology landscape.

Once your new security measures are put into place, your vCIO will monitor them for threats and act accordingly to ensure that no unauthorized access takes place. This includes the following:

• Providing support for patching any vulnerabilities
• Responding quickly to active attacks or suspicious activity
• Implementing processes like two-factor authentication or network segmentation when appropriate
• Advising your business on the most effective ways of protecting your data from loss due to human error or malicious intent

In addition to staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies, vCIOs are knowledgeable about compliance standards, which vary by region and industry. They can provide expertise on which regulations your business must follow to avoid penalties or fines. Your vCIO will also recommend strategies to reduce the probability of serious damage from cyber threats or data loss due to environmental factors such as natural disasters. Finally, they understand regulations regarding sensitive information storage, including credit card numbers and personally identifiable information (PII).

You will save money by hiring a vCIO

Your business will save money in some way when you hire a vCIO. Before you begin receiving their services, you should perform your own financial analysis and create a budget. Then, you can speak with a managed IT service company to see how the costs will line up. Here are the most common ways your business can save money by working with a virtual CIO.

• They don’t require the same level of costly overhead as full-time IT staff members.
• Your vCIO can help make your existing technology investments more efficient, saving money on hardware purchases.
• You won’t have to spend time and money on the hiring process.
• You can choose from many payment options including hourly rates, flat fees, or contracts.
• You can avoid fines by staying compliant.
• Your company will be much less likely to lose data and face legal action as a result.

Considering hiring a virtual Chief Information Officer?

Overall, vCIOs bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to help your business maintain its systems securely and responsibly. By working with one, you can focus on your core operations instead of worrying about potential cyberattacks and IT management!

When you’re ready to speak with a vCIO, contact Andrews & Associates! We provide a variety of Services to give you the best in IT safety and efficiency. If you’re an existing client, you can Request Support from a team member as well. Give us a call at (806) 242-1088 today!