Are you struggling to stay compliant with Federal Acquisition Requirements (FAR) while managing day-to-day operations?
The easiest solution to achieving and maintaining FAR compliance is outsourcing IT services.
By leveraging expert IT support, you can focus on your core business while ensuring your systems meet FAR requirements.
In this article, we’ll explore five key benefits of outsourcing IT for FAR compliance, offering practical solutions to common pain points.
At Intelligent Technical Solutions (ITS), we specialize in providing managed IT services tailored to government contractors. Our expertise ensures your technology aligns with FAR mandates, so you can focus on delivering value to your clients without worrying about compliance missteps.
We invited Sean Harris, ITS’ VP for Cybersecurity, to give his thoughts & Managed IT company’s role in helping companies achieve FAR compliance.
1. Access to Specialized Expertise
FAR compliance requires specialized knowledge of regulations and cybersecurity practices. Many in-house teams lack the experience or resources to navigate these complexities effectively.
“An MSP does [compliance audits] dozens and dozens of times,” Harris said. “The experience of an MSP will rival decades of an internal IT department. The breadth and depth are different.”
Outsourced IT providers bring a team of experts who stay updated on the latest FAR requirements and cybersecurity trends. They understand the nuances of compliance, including controlled unclassified information (CUI) protection and audit preparation.
READ: Outsourced or In-House Cybersecurity: What are the Pros and Cons?
2. Improved Data Security and Risk Management
Government contractors must implement strict policies to protect sensitive data, but many organizations lack the tools or expertise to do this.
Outsourced IT providers implement comprehensive cybersecurity measures, including encryption, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular vulnerability scans.
By partnering with experts, you can safeguard sensitive data, reduce the risk of breaches and avoid penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, outsourced IT ensures you maintain compliance with evolving standards like NIST SP 800-171, which is integral to FAR requirements.
3. Cost Efficiency and Resource Optimization
Building an in-house team to manage FAR compliance and IT operations requires a big investment in hiring staff, training, and IT infrastructure.
Outsourcing IT allows you to access a full suite of services without the overhead costs of maintaining an internal team. They also create plans that fit your needed level of security, which allows you to only pay for what you use.
This cost-effective approach frees up resources, keeping resources open for other areas of your business while maintaining IT compliance.
READ: 10 Tips for Cybersecurity on a Budget [Updated in 2023]
4. Streamlined Compliance Processes
FAR compliance involves maintaining detailed documentation, conducting audits, and meeting strict deadlines. Managing these tasks manually increases the risk of errors and non-compliance.
“MSPs conduct risk assessments multiple times across clients, building an unmatched scale of expertise.” Harris explained. “MSPs go through the list of compliance requirements, seeing where the client stands, conducting gap analysis, and creating a road map or a plan of action milestones,”
Multiple systems are already in place within MSPs to streamline compliance workflows. There are automated systems for monitoring, reporting, and documentation.
5. 24/7 Support and Proactive Maintenance
Lastly, IT downtime or unresolved technical issues might disrupt operations and jeopardize compliance efforts, especially when working on government contracts.
With outsourced IT, you benefit from round-the-clock support and proactive system maintenance.
MSPs monitor your IT infrastructure 24/7, addressing potential issues before they escalate. This ensures uninterrupted operations and provides peace of mind that your systems remain compliant and secure at all times.
Want more information about outsourcing IT?
For government contractors, achieving and maintaining FAR compliance is critical yet challenging. Common issues like limited expertise, data security vulnerabilities, high costs, and inefficient processes can hinder your ability to meet regulatory requirements.
Outsourced IT solves these problems by providing specialized expertise, robust cybersecurity measures, cost efficiency, streamlined workflows, and 24/7 support.
At ITS, we understand the complexities of FAR compliance and are dedicated to helping contractors simplify their IT challenges. Our tailored services ensure your systems meet FAR standards, allowing you to focus on delivering exceptional results for your clients.
Contact ITS today to learn how our outsourced IT solutions can support your business.
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