Efficiency Evolution: Enhancing SLED Operations and Security with Managed Services

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, state, local, and education (SLED) organizations face increasing pressure to streamline operations, maximize resources, and deliver impactful services to their communities. Amidst these challenges, the adoption of managed services has emerged as a transformative solution, empowering these organizations to enhance efficiency, drive innovation, and keep their constituents safe from cyber threats.

Unlocking potential through managed services

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) have long been recognized for their ability to provide comprehensive IT solutions, and the growth of organizations trusting MSPs to be a natural extension of their business is surging. Leading analyst firm Canalys estimates that IT managed services will grow by at least 12% in 2024, with an expected 15% growth in cybersecurity managed services. This sustained growth is because MSPs continue to bring a wealth of industry expertise to the table, allowing SLED organizations to tap into specialized knowledge and experience tailored to their unique needs and challenges.

Faster time to value

One of the key advantages of leveraging managed services in the SLED sector is the faster time to value they offer. With MSPs handling the implementation and management of IT infrastructure and services, these organizations can accelerate the deployment of critical solutions, reducing time-consuming setup processes and enabling quicker access to essential tools and resources.

Streamlining resources for optimal efficiency

Managed services enable government agencies and educational institutions to streamline their resources effectively, allowing them to focus on their core mission while leaving the complexities of IT management to the experts. By outsourcing tasks such as network monitoring, security management, and system maintenance to MSPs, these organizations can free up valuable time and resources, redirecting them toward strategic initiatives and service delivery enhancements.

Enhanced security and compliance

In an era of increasing cybersecurity threats and regulatory requirements, ensuring the security and compliance of sensitive data is paramount. Most MSPs offer 24x7x365 coverage to ensure that there are no disruptions or outages. In addition, MSPs provide access to cutting-edge security solutions and expertise, helping organizations strengthen their defenses, mitigate risks, and maintain compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and standards.

Scalability and flexibility

Another significant benefit of managed services is their scalability and flexibility, allowing public sector organizations to adapt and evolve in response to changing needs and requirements. Whether it’s scaling up to accommodate growth or adjusting resources to align with budget constraints, MSPs offer agile solutions that can be tailored to meet the evolving operational demands these technology leaders face.

Driving innovation and transformation

By partnering with an MSP, government agencies, school districts, and higher educational institutions can harness the power of innovative technologies and best practices, driving continuous improvement and transformation across their operations. MSPs have typically evaluated tens or hundreds of products that will help deliver on their promised outcomes – and their reputation is at stake. They run on cycles of innovation, where they continuously evaluate, test, and standardize on a select set of technologies to build a scalable business of their own. From cloud computing and data analytics to automation and artificial intelligence, managed services provide access to cutting-edge solutions that empower these organizations to innovate and thrive in the digital age.

How Tanium managed services can transform SLED operations and security

The Tanium platform delivers real-time endpoint data, enabling MSPs to deliver management and security outcomes at speed and scale.

“SLED organizations are under immense pressure to do more with less,” says Matt D’Eramo, director of managed services at Tanium. “Tanium-powered managed services offer a game-changing solution. By leveraging Tanium’s unmatched endpoint visibility, control, and scalability, MSPs can help SLED organizations streamline operations, optimize resources, and deliver a superior level of service to their communities.”

Specifically, in Tanium’s case, a handful of accredited partners already have state contract vehicles in place to ensure a smooth procurement process. With MSPs offering industry expertise, faster time to value, streamlined resources, and a host of other benefits, the efficiency evolution enabled by managed services is poised to revolutionize IT operations and security in the SLED space for years to come.

Read this article to learn more about how cities and states can manage their security stack.