Composed of digital networks, hardware, software, and endpoints, IT infrastructure is the nerve center of modern organizations. Keeping this nerve center functioning effectively requires proper planning, installation, maintenance, and ongoing optimization.
While some companies use in-house staff to handle all of these responsibilities, many partner with a third-party managed services provider to oversee some or all of their IT infrastructure. Based on a service-level agreement, a service provider may be responsible for equipment, processes, policies, aspects of human resources, sourcing vendors, and other responsibilities to ensure that an IT infrastructure is effective and dependable.
Understanding IT Infrastructure Management
IT infrastructure management is a herculean task. It includes overseeing all of an organization’s interconnected devices and systems. It also includes keeping the system safe from cyber threats and regularly updating components to ensure the infrastructure keeps up with industry standards. In some industries, IT infrastructure management may include complying with specific governmental regulations.
Components of IT Infrastructure Management
IT infrastructure can be a massive beast that needs to be tamed. Part of the approach to doing that is to divide it into three different management components: systems, network, and storage.
Systems Management
Typically overseen by a chief information officer (CIO) or chief technical officer (CTO), systems management covers all of the infrastructure contained within a data center. One aspect of systems management involves the administration of various applications and third-party services, including cloud computing services. Systems management also involves cyber security responsibilities such as intrusion prevention and detection. Daily responsibilities might include log management, configuration duties, and handling systems integration issues.
Network Management
This aspect of IT infrastructure management involves the handling and configuration of networks. Network managers are focused on allocating necessary resources to various services and applications so that they are efficient and dependable. There is also a significant security component to network management. While cybersecurity protections for a network must be robust to prevent unauthorized access, they should also be as unobtrusive as possible so as not to hinder productivity.
Storage Management
Because company data can be highly valuable, storage management is arguably the most important aspect of IT infrastructure management. One major component of storage management is ensuring there is enough available storage for all of the company’s applications and processes. Most modern companies include cloud storage as part of their overall approach to storage management.
This area of IT infrastructure management also includes data storage technologies, such as data compression, storage provisioning, and virtualization. Storage managers must also be mindful of balancing necessity and productivity. For example, data compression can minimize the amount of space needed to store important information, but excessive data compression can reduce data processing times.
Of course, cybersecurity is also a major component of storage management. While other aspects of IT infrastructure management might be more focused on preventing attacks, storage management tends to be more focused on minimizing the damage caused by an intrusion through measures like encryption.
Challenges of IT Infrastructure Management
The stakes are high when it comes to IT infrastructure management because a company’s systems are critical to its success. Due to these high stakes and significant levels of complexity, IT infrastructure management can be quite challenging, and it requires a strategic approach. An effective IT management strategy addresses the following challenges.
Cybersecurity
As a major concern for systems, networks, and data storage management, cyber security is the top challenge of IT infrastructure management. Companies need to Have robust protections in place to keep their IT infrastructure functioning properly. They also need to protect all of the sensitive data they handle, from the financial information of customers to intellectual property.
Cybersecurity becomes a greater challenge every day. Cyber threats are constantly evolving and becoming more sophisticated. In addition to providing technical protections, managed service providers will often provide training on best practices for security, which helps to address the weakest link in any cybersecurity system: people.
Increasing Complexity
From hardware to software to various IT systems, everything related to technology gets increasingly complex over time. IT managers must ensure the various components of their infrastructure are regularly updated and consider adopting new versions when current versions become outdated. If new software, hardware, or other assets are adopted, managers must integrate the new assets into the existing system so that it continues to function properly.
Flexibility
Most companies change over time, and they need their IT infrastructure to change with them. For some organizations, change might be expanding their existing facilities or acquiring new ones. For others, it might mean reducing office space as employees increasingly shift to remote work. Failing to adequately adapt to these changes results in lower efficiency and greater downtime.
Data Management
If the IT infrastructure of an organization is its nervous system, then data is the lifeblood of an organization. Poorly managing data will result in lower productivity and greater costs. Effective IT management supports the effective storage, retrieval, and security of company data.
Integrations
An IT system is a patchwork of different processes and systems, from cloud computing to automated processes. Getting all of these different components integrated into a single system is another major challenge of IT infrastructure management. In addition to making sure existing components are properly integrated, IT managers must also integrate new network components from time to time.
The Benefits of Managed Infrastructure Services
Companies enlist the help of a managed services provider to tackle various aspects of IT infrastructure management. In return for the fees charged by a provider, companies can optimize their systems and facilitate growth. This is done by realizing the following benefits.
Less Downtime
When internal IT personnel have many different responsibilities, it’s difficult for them to proactively search for potential issues and address them promptly. As a result, some disruptions are not identified until it’s too late, resulting in unplanned downtime.
With a managed IT infrastructure, companies can get the manpower needed to take a proactive approach toward their systems. They can also gain additional coverage by having 24/7 monitoring systems, which may not be possible if IT staff only works during normal business hours. If an issue does crop up, a provider’s technicians can quickly resolve it, potentially with the assistance of internal technicians.
Additionally, most service providers offer 24/7 tech support. This is a fantastic resource that a company can use to address technical issues big and small.
Fewer Skills Gaps
Companies can only afford to have so many technical skills in-house. Even if internal capabilities can handle all responsibilities throughout the year, occasional projects or surges in business might require technical skills that an internal IT staff doesn’t have.
Partnering with a managed services provider allows a company to fill in critical skills gaps. A provider can also fill these gaps faster and more cheaply than closing gaps by hiring new, full-time employees. Provider technicians also bring a broader range of experience to the table than in-house staff members, who tend to focus on more specific technical issues.
More Labor Flexibility
Sometimes, a company has all of the capabilities it needs in-house, but it simply doesn’t have the necessary manpower. One key benefit of managed IT infrastructure is the ability to quickly assist short-staffed IT departments or teams. This additional manpower can be withdrawn as quickly as it was added once the workload has decreased or new IT staff members have been hired.
More Effective IT Management
Handling systems, network, and data storage management responsibilities requires a broad range of skill sets that span many different technology stacks. Many managed services providers employ technicians who have this broad range and who stay current with the latest developments. When a company partners with one of these providers, it takes on a more effective approach to IT infrastructure management.
Specialized Focus
Along the same lines, managed IT infrastructure can allow a company’s technicians to explicitly focus on specialized, potentially sensitive tasks. This benefit is especially valuable if the company is focused on developing proprietary technology. Rather than having internal teams focus on daily tasks and keeping the lights on, these teams can refine proprietary processes, systems, or applications. This is a more effective use of talent, and it helps to drive profitability.
Better Work Environment
IT professionals receive high levels of compensation because they are in such demand. They also have the luxury of many career options. If they don’t like their current situation, they can easily jump ship for a better job.
While it is important to pay IT professionals competitive wages, a more effective approach to minimizing employee attrition is to provide a superior work environment. Managed IT services can help a company prevent its technicians from being overworked or on-call during off hours. These services can also allow a company to give its workers more schedule flexibility, helping them to achieve an ideal work-life balance.
Managed IT infrastructure can also allow a company to have IT employees focus on more meaningful work rather than mundane daily chores. If IT staff members feel comfortable in their jobs and enjoy their work, they are much more likely to stick around, potentially for less money than they could get elsewhere.
Best Practices in IT Infrastructure Management
As enterprises increasingly depend on their IT infrastructure for critical operations, they need to adopt proven best practices. While every company is different and best practices should rarely be followed to the letter, the following practices are generally accepted as must-haves in any IT infrastructure management strategy.
Go Beyond Default Cybersecurity Measures
Most systems and applications have some degree of cybersecurity included as an essential feature. Unfortunately, these default measures barely come close to protecting the typical IT infrastructure. Companies must not only adopt the necessary defensive measures but also take a proactive approach to cyber threats. It’s also important to maintain strong security hygiene with regular updates, patches, and employee training sessions.
Keep Up with Industry Standard Technology
Companies need to occasionally invest in new technology to avoid falling behind the competition. Even worse, not keeping up with technology could result in disaster. For example, Windows 10 might be a suitable operating system for some companies, but when it stops receiving security updates in October 2025, it becomes a major security liability.
IT managers should stay on top of the latest software, hardware, and networking developments. Major developments should be considered for adoption after thorough testing.
Incorporate Flexibility and Scalability
An effective IT infrastructure management plan includes significant degrees of flexibility and scalability. An IT infrastructure should be set up for adaptability and future growth. Many companies incorporate cloud computing systems as a way to add flexibility and scalability to their infrastructure.
Optimize Data Storage Systems
IT infrastructure management must include frameworks and tools for effective data storage. End users of data storage systems must be able to efficiently retrieve, organize, utilize, and store data. Managers must regularly review data storage methods and address any inefficiencies.
Adopt Cloud Computing
In addition to adding degrees of flexibility and scalability, cloud computing is a cost-effective approach to data storage. IT managers must make sure there is a seamless connection between cloud-based and on-premise systems. Many companies use hybrid cloud solutions for maximum benefit.
Leverage Automation and AI
Automating routine tasks saves countless hours and helps to minimize human error. It also helps IT personnel stay engaged by focusing on more mentally rewarding tasks. Although current AI technology is still in a fledgling state, companies are increasingly adopting it as a best practice, and the technology will only become more essential as it improves. That being said, it is critical to have humans checking AI systems to combat inherent bias and other potentially problematic issues.
Learn How Taylored Systems Can Help Secure Your Business
At Taylored Systems, our experts can provide valuable guidance and support based on decades of experience. We offer a range of IT solutions, from consulting to managed IT infrastructure. Please contact us today to learn how we can help secure and optimize your infrastructure.