TECH TRENDS
Breaking up is hard to do
( but sometimes it ’ s best for everyone )
Tim Bandos , CISO and VP Managed Security Services at Digital Guardian , discusses why breaking up with an existing provider , however painful , can sometimes be the best move for both parties .
Tim Bandos , CISO and VP Managed Security Services at Digital Guardian
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 .
1 . 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 Over reliance on outdated , legacy technology not only hinders customer operations , but it can also put sensitive customer and employee data at risk , particularly if it ’ s no longer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 organisations 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 . Organisations 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 .
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