Most nonprofits are run on a tight budget, which means that they have to be strategic about how they allocate their funds. This may raise the question of whether it is really necessary to invest in IT infrastructure and support. In short, the answer is yes. One area where it is critical to invest money is in information technology (IT) – Nonprofit IT support. With the rise of digital tools and remote work, information technology (IT) services are becoming increasingly important for nonprofits and it’s essential that your organization has a reliable IT support system in place.
This blog covers some of the basic IT support your nonprofit needs to stay up and running with maximum efficiency and how an MSP (managed service provider) can help your nonprofit with these tasks.
Help Desk Support
An IT help desk is a support system that is used to help employees with IT-related problems. It typically consists of a team of technicians who are available to answer questions and solve problems. The help desk will usually have a telephone number or email address that employees can use to contact them.
The help desk is responsible for resolving a wide range of issues, including:
- Problems with logging in to the network
- Hardware problems
- Software problems
- Printer problems
- Internet connection issues
The help desk will usually try to resolve problems remotely, but they may also need to send someone out to the workplace to take a look at the issue.
Nonprofit organizations need on-demand access to help desk support in order to maintain efficiency and productivity. An MSP can provide this type of support, as well as other services that are essential for a nonprofit’s IT infrastructure.
Proactive Maintenance
Proactive maintenance is an important part of keeping your nonprofit’s technology up-to-date and functioning properly. This includes regular updates to software, patching any security vulnerabilities, and monitoring systems for any potential problems. Regular maintenance can help prevent costly downtime due to technical issues or data breaches and reduce additional costs by identifying areas where efficiency can be improved. An MSP can provide proactive maintenance and consistent monitoring of your network on your behalf, allowing you to focus on your clients and donors.
Technology Training
Nonprofit staff should be trained on how to use technology safely and effectively in order to maximize their productivity and avoid cybersecurity risks. Technology can be a powerful tool for nonprofits, but it can also be dangerous if it is not used correctly.
In order to avoid any potential problems, staff should be properly trained on how to use all of the nonprofit’s technology. This includes learning how to use software programs, navigate the internet securely, and handle digital files appropriately. Technology training can also help staff become more efficient in their work. By learning how to use technology effectively, they can save time and energy that can then be put towards achieving the organization’s goals.
Data Backup & Recovery
Data backup & recovery is an essential part of any organization’s IT strategy. Without regular backups, you risk losing irreplaceable data if there is ever a hardware failure or other disaster that affects your computers or network infrastructure. A good backup & recovery system should include both onsite and offsite backups so that data can be quickly recovered in the event of an emergency. It should also include automated backups so that the process is not left up to manual intervention.
An MSP can provide comprehensive data backup and recovery services, such as automated backups on a regular schedule, storage of offsite backups for disaster recovery scenarios, and secure data encryption for extra protection. Additionally, they can also monitor the backup process to ensure that it is running smoothly and efficiently, as well as quickly restore any lost or corrupted data.
Nonprofit IT Network Security
Network security is another key component of any nonprofit’s IT strategy. Network security helps protect against malicious attacks such as viruses, malware, ransomware, and phishing attempts. It also helps safeguard confidential information such as customer data or financial records from unauthorized access or misuse. Adopting strong policies around network access control and implementing robust encryption protocols are just some of the measures you can take to ensure your network is secure from external threats.
An MSP can help with network security by implementing robust encryption protocols, such as two-factor authentication for secure access control, multi-layered firewall protection and intrusion detection systems to detect suspicious network activity, and regular vulnerability scanning to identify potential security weaknesses so that they can be addressed promptly.
Office 365 Management
Office 365 is a suite of cloud-based applications that includes email, calendar, and document management tools. It can be a powerful tool for nonprofit organizations, but it can also be difficult to manage if you are not familiar with the backend of the software. That’s where an MSP comes in. An MSP can help you set up and manage your Office 365 account, including configuring email and calendar settings, setting up file sharing and collaboration tools, and creating custom solutions for your organization. This can help save time and energy that can be put towards achieving the organization’s goals.
Keeping your nonprofit’s technology up-to-date and secure requires a robust IT support system in place. Proactive maintenance such as regular software updates and patching security vulnerabilities is essential for ensuring smooth operation and minimizing downtime due to technical issues or data breaches. Additionally, having a reliable backup & recovery system in place helps protect against data loss in case of hardware failure or other disasters while strong network security measures help protect against malicious attacks such as viruses, malware, ransomware, and phishing attempts. Help desk support, Office 365 management, and technology training helps to maximize efficiency and ensure the best use of your organization’s resources. By taking these steps you can ensure that your nonprofit stays up and running smoothly with minimal disruption from IT issues. Want to learn more? Get a free Nonprofit IT assessment today.