How Managed Service Providers (MSPs) Can Support Government Contractors

The Department of Defense is a challenging employer. Many government contractors, especially those working with the DoD, face many complex challenges, which can be stressful and time-consuming.

The complex web of compliance regulations ensures cybersecurity readiness. These include Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and NIST 800-171. Government contractors have a tough time staying ahead of the hackers who want nothing more than for their company's technology to fail. One major challenge is that government agencies often lack enough funds available, which makes it difficult to counter all internal and external cybersecurity threats on top of this already heavy load.

Government contractors require reliable, secure and scalable technology to support their day-to-day operations. They also need this to fulfill contracts they have underway to be done efficiently with minimal problems or delays.

Managed IT service providers (MSPs) take the worries off government contractors' plates by providing them with technology that helps focus on what they do best.

Here are several specific reasons why MSPs enjoy working with government contractors.

•  Regulatory Compliance Made Easier

The security landscape is changing rapidly, with relentless cyberattacks coming from state and non-state actors. 

The government puts pressure on contractors to improve their cybersecurity controls by requiring them to comply with regulations like CMMC. The cybersecurity game has gotten more competitive over the years, and there are many players in this field. It can be challenging for smaller contractors with limited or no IT staff to reach that maturity level when they don't have access to qualified resources for training on how best to protect themselves from cyber threats. 

An MSP that is deeply familiar with the relevant regulations can help contractors assess their current cybersecurity posture.

With it, they will have an excellent understanding of how best to improve their current posture and create a plan that reflects clear targets and milestones (POAM).

The MSP's experience and expertise in cybersecurity will allow them to implement appropriate controls, policies or procedures that are tailored for your organization.

• Flexibility to Meet Changing Requirements

To be successful in the government contract bidding process, contractors need to show their ability and flexibility by meeting various requirements. When companies rely on a legacy IT infrastructure that cannot be dynamically scaled up or down to manage tight deadlines and time-sensitive work, that's tough to do.

Contractors need an MSP who will work with them to upgrade their legacy IT infrastructures and take full advantage of the several benefits that cloud computing offers. These include increased security, compliance capabilities (including data privacy), workforce mobility/collaboration options, and better disaster recovery measures for business continuity purposes. MSP also provides cost savings partly because there's no need for capital expenditure on equipment/infrastructure etc., virtually endless scalability if needed.

 A single MSP can monitor both cloud-based and on-premise systems to keep them secure & reliable for an affordable price.

The MSP can effectively perform technology planning and road mapping in assisting contractors to maintain a competitive advantage on an ongoing basis.

 

• Reduced Total IT Costs

Contracting for the government is always essential, but it becomes even more crucial when working on a project that has an agreed-upon budget. It would be tragic to exceed your limit by wasteful spending and end up having wasted money. The traditional break-fix IT model has been a costly and inefficient way to manage your company's technology. It creates enough room for unexpected expenses, which can be troublesome when they pop up at the worst time.

On the other hand, MSPs avoid unexpected expenses by charging their customers a flat fee. Typically per user or device and monthly for an annual subscription, you can cancel without penalty. The MSP is a cheaper and more convenient way to get your IT work done. They can leverage economies of scale, which means you can expect cutting-edge solutions and professional technical support at prices that even small contractors may afford.

The cost savings from vendor consolidation and management centralization is unlocked by working with an MSP. Government contractors reduce the number of external companies they work with to avoid suffering a third-party data breach. 

 

• Partner With an MSP That Understands Your Needs

The difficulties that arise when you are working on a government contract and need to keep your information technology infrastructure compliant with cybersecurity regulations are complex.

ITsGuru is a trusted managed IT services provider for government contractors who want to ensure regulatory compliance and stay flexible. We help you meet changing requirements without spending too much money on hardware or software—and with our 24/7 support team at your disposal whenever you need it most. Our extensive experience with regulations like Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and NIST 800-171 allows us to anticipate our customers' needs. Our team can rapidly address all technology-related issues so you can focus on your business instead of worrying about how things work behind closed doors!

We can help you keep your organization running smoothly with managed IT and compliance services. Contact us today to know more about how our expert team achieves this feat for government contractors just like you!