I.T. is the abbreviation for information technology and is the management of all things technical. While I.T. is often used to describe computers or networks. I.T. service is the glue to catapulting and securing any company’s integrity, growth and success. I.T. professionals ensure the security of important company data and assets. I.T. includes many different variables of computer and information technology, ranging from physical hardware, operating systems, databases, applications, storage, servers and more. I.T. also serves as the operation and maintenance behind the safety of an organization’s telecommunications technologies like their internet and business phone lines.

I.T. consists of a multitude of services.  Here are the I.T. services that are most commonly offered by Professional Fully Managed I.T. Service Providers like us.

1. 1. Help Desk – a team of people or single person that is available for any technical questions or concerns. Their job is to respond to customers and ensure they receive the appropriate help in a timely manner. At Snap Tech we call these our First Response team.

    

   2. Systems Administration (Sys Admin) – this is a team of people that are responsible for the daily management, upkeep and configuration of computer systems of an organization or business. This includes managing desktop and laptop computers, servers, networks, Firewalls, switches, IT security systems and other critical components of an organization’s IT infrastructure. The SysAdmin team is often an escalation team for the first responders.

    

   3. Network Operations Center (NOC) – a central location from which a team of network administrators manage, control and monitor one or more networks. The overall function is to maintain optimal network operations across a variety of platforms and communications channels. They deal with prevention and resolution of malicious network attackers that attempt to disrupt normal traffic of targeted servers, they also handle the resolution and prevention of power outages, network failures, and routing black-holes. They also handle common I.T. functions such as such as remote hands, support, alert management, automation, and maintenance.

    

   4. Security Operations Center (SOC) – a centralized team that deals with security issues on an organizational and technical level. A SOC within a building or facility is a central location from where staff supervises a company’s site, using data processing technology.

    

   5. Professional Services (I.T. Projects) – professional services in the I.T. industry is a term used to describe a project-based way of servicing. These are services the I.T. provider does that are outside the monthly managed agreement.

    

   6. I.T. and Cybersecurity Risk Assessment – this takes the idea of real-world risk management and applies it to the cyber-world. It involves identifying your risks and vulnerabilities and applying administrative actions and comprehensive solutions to make sure your organization is adequately protected.

    

   7. I.T. Management (Virtual CIO, I.T. Planning, etc…) – the process of overseeing all matters related to information technology operations and resources within an I.T. organization. Effective I.T. Management enables an organization to optimize resources and staffing, improve business processes and communication and enforce best practices. Whether an in-house employee or an outsourced resource, this is the role that tends to be the person(s) accountable for the entire I.T. in an organization.

    

   8. Network Monitoring – Network monitoring is the use of a system that constantly monitors a computer network for slow or failing components and then notifies the network administrator in case of outages or other trouble. Network monitoring is part of network management.

    

   9. Computer Monitoring – this is a tool used to record activity on the computer. Computer monitoring programs are used to what for alert conditions, security events, performance information, and general asset information. This type of monitoring is among the most fundamental monitoring an I.T. strategy includes.

    

   10. Backup Management (On Premise and/or Cloud Data) – describes the process of creating and storing copies of data that can be used to protect organizations against data loss. This is sometimes referred to as operational recovery. Recovery from a backup typically involves restoring the data to the original location, or to an alternate location where it can be used in place of the lost or damaged data. Businesses are producing more data than ever. In order to effectively backup and secure that data, robust and versatile backup services are required.

    

   11. Incident Response – a term used to describe how an I.T. provider handles a data breach or cyberattack, including the way the organization attempts to manage the consequences of the attack or breach (the “incident”). Ultimately, the goal is to effectively manage the incident so that the damage is limited and both recovery time and costs, as well as collateral damage such as brand reputation, are kept at a minimum. Organizations should, at minimum, have a clear incident response plan in place. This plan should define what constitutes an incident for the company and provide a clear, guided process to be followed when an incident occurs.

    

   12. I.T. Asset management – systematic approach to the management and realized value of the things a company is responsible for. This applies to both tangible assets (computers, servers, firewalls, tablets, etc…) and to intangible assets (sensitive data, worker productivity, etc…).

    

   13. I.T. Procurement – the process of quickly and effectively organizing, executing on purchase, and managing the purchase of hardware and software.

    

   14. I.T. Project Management – Project management is the practice of initiating, planning, executing, governing, and closing the work an I.T. team needs to complete in order to achieve specific goals and meet specific success criteria. The primary function of I.T. project management is to ensure all of the project goals are satisfied within the projected time frame and budget.

    

   15. Computer/Server Maintenance – the process of keeping a server software updated, ensuring best practices for configuration are used so that a computer network can operate smoothly and avoid downtime or loss of data. Regular maintenance will keep the server running as expected and will help avoid a total or partial network failure.

    

   16. Patch Management – Patch management consists of scanning computers, mobile devices or other machines on a network for missing software updates, known as “patches” and fixing the problem by deploying those updates as soon as they become available. Patches are a type of code that is inserted (or patched) into the code of an existing software program. Patches are created by software companies when they know of an existing vulnerability to ensure that hackers don’t use that vulnerability to break into your corporate network. Patches also fix bugs and can add enhancements or new features to existing products as well.

    

   17. I.T. Security Services – security strategies for planning, building and running effective security programs. Designing and implementing security architecture to navigate complex environments and provide maximum value of security.

    

   18. I.T. Compliance management – the process where I.T. experts plan, organize, control, and lead activities that ensure a company’s security compliance with laws and standards. These activities can include: Internal audits, Developing and implementing specific policies and procedures to ensure compliance. There are many different compliance standards as well such as PCI, HIPPA, SOC 2, FFIEC, Nist, CIS, GPDR, etc…

    

   19. Threat detection – the process by which you find threats on your network, your systems or your applications. The idea is to detect threats before they are exploited as attacks. Malware on an endpoint, for example, may or may not have been exploited in an attack. Threat detection is how you can catch a malicious actor that has defeated your other protection in place like your firewall, antivirus, encryption, etc…

    

   20. Log Management and SIEM – collects and stores log files from operating systems and applications, across various hosts and systems. Security information event management focuses on real-time monitoring, correlating events, providing overarching console views and customizing notifications. SIEM provides a wide, yet detailed view into your company’s security. SIEM means your security analysts can continue doing what they do best – analyzing security in real-time – instead of spending time learning every single product under the security umbrella.

    

   21. Firewall Management – The management of different firewalls that protect against outside attackers. These firewalls shield your computer or network from malicious or unnecessary internet traffic. Firewalls can be designed to block data from certain locations while allowing information to be accessed that has been deemed safe and relevant. Firewalls need regular review, attention and updates to maintain their highest level of protection.

    

   22. Mobile Device Management – a type of security software used by an I.T. department to monitor, manage and secure employees’ mobile devices that are being used within the organization. This software allows security and protection to an organization regardless of the many different mobile service providers and across multiple mobile operating systems.

    

   23. Penetration Testing – I.T companies ethically hack your organization and deploy an authorized simulated cyberattack which allows them to evaluate your system and deem any areas of vulnerability.

    

   24. Vulnerability Management – Using penetration testing, devices and services are scanned against a database of known vulnerabilities and then reported on. These are often done against your firewall from an external source and internally against all your network equipment.  After these have been identified, the risk management, remediation, and planning around found vulnerabilities is the management part of this.

    

   25. Protection Services Management (Antivirus, Anti-ransomware, anti-exploit, etc…) – the management protection software’s that are designed to detect, prevent and take action to disarm or remove malicious software from your computers such as viruses, worms and trojan horses. It may also prevent or remove unwanted spyware and adware in addition to other types of malicious programs.

    

   26. I.T. Change Management – a collective term for all approaches to prepare, support, and help individuals, teams, and organizations in making organizational I.T. change. Rather than one person simply charging forward with making changes, the changes are investigated, planned and approved by all stake holders.

    

   27. I.T. Documentation/Procedure Management. – the implementation of providing a company with industry-leading documentation software that helps save time, increase innovation and productivity.

    

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