IT Services

What Are IT Professional Services?

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The internet holds endless potential and is a growing danger for today’s organizations. Not surprisingly, this environment means that the demand for IT professionals has skyrocketed, growing by over 14% compared to the 3% of most occupations. To deal with this increased demand, many enterprises are choosing IT professional services to fill the gap. What are IT professional services, and what do they include?

WHAT IS AN IT PROFESSIONAL?

In general terms, an IT professional works with computer systems and networks, from software platforms to server hardware. IT professionals design technology solutions for businesses, maintain network equipment, and safeguard information systems.

 

Types of IT professionals

The job description, education, expertise, and skills of an IT professional vary significantly by role and application. IT careers tend to focus on five main areas: network infrastructure, software development, IT support, data management, and information security. Some specific roles include:

  • Computer programmers: Professionals who create code, design software, develop apps, and build custom data platforms for businesses.
  • IT system analysts, architects, and engineers: Experts who design networks and data systems to meet organizational needs.
  • IT technicians: Professionals who focus on setting up, maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, and updating IT systems.
  • Network administrators: Specialists in charge of protecting, monitoring, and managing enterprise networks, including tracking logins, scheduling maintenance, and preventing downtime.
  • Database administrators: Professionals who focus on storing, securing, backing up, and safely migrating an organization’s data and communications, from emails to business records.
  • Cybersecurity specialists: Experts who assist organizations in developing effective cybersecurity policies, implementing controls, following infosec best practices, and complying with leading frameworks, such as ISO 27001, CMMC, NIST CSF, and SOC 2.

Most IT careers — including IT technicians — involve advanced education, such as a bachelor’s degree in networking, computer science, or information technology.

WHAT ARE IT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES?

The definition of IT professional services is broad because it extends to a vast array of network, programming, data management, and cybersecurity needs. In a nutshell, professional services provide the outside help you need to cover any information technology areas where you lack personnel or experience.


Is your organization struggling to obtain ISO 27001 certification? Hire infosec experts to strengthen your company’s cybersecurity posture to achieve compliance.

Need another example of IT professional services? Many manufacturers hire third-party software-as-a-service professionals to create a custom platform for computer networks, IoT devices, production controls, and cloud-based data storage.

Sometimes, professional services involve bringing in a team of technicians for long-term system support, monitoring, and management. More often, IT professionals take care of specific short-term projects, such as server migration or network engineering.

WHAT ARE SOME SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF IT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES?

Third-party IT providers offer different types of professional services depending on their areas of expertise and the size of their teams. The following examples give you a general idea of how outsourcing IT can help your business keep up with system needs. 

 

1. Break/fix activities

Small-to-medium businesses may not need full-time IT technicians on staff. Third-party break/fix specialists can resolve network problems or device issues efficiently, both online and onsite. This type of service can save you money while minimizing downtime.

2. System maintenance and managed updates

IT professionals provide a range of hardware and software maintenance services, from system checkups and updates to infrastructure replacement and device repairs. Outsourcing software and security updates is one of the best ways to avoid vulnerabilities, especially if you have older on-prem servers or complicated architecture.

3. Installation, setup, and configuration services

Businesses of every size are choosing turnkey IT solutions. With IT professional services, organizations enjoy out-of-the-box functionality without configuration headaches, costly mistakes, or wasted time. These services cover hardware, software, networks, firewalls, anti-malware packages, and cloud-based platforms, including Microsoft 365 for Business/Enterprise.

4. Technical Design Services

If your business has complex networking, technology, or compliance needs, hiring an IT professional for technical design services is wise. These services can cover every stage of system development, from strategy and engineering to workflow automation and endpoint device security.

5. Network analysis and vulnerability assessments

As part of a governance, risk, and compliance framework, enterprises need to identify network vulnerabilities and organizational cybersecurity risks. Third-party infosec teams can perform a deep dive into problems with the existing architecture and proposed solutions.

6. Penetration testing

Pen test teams attempt to breach your network and put organizational cybersecurity measures through the paces. Pen testing is a requirement for many compliance frameworks, including the Payment Card Industry Digital Security Standards.

7. Network Monitoring Services

Cybersecurity monitoring and alerting services combine state-of-the-art technology and experienced professionals. Continuous network monitoring can flag suspicious actions and logins, prevent access to admin controls and network assets, and allow IT to respond quickly when a DDoS attack seems imminent.

8. Application Development Services

E-commerce businesses and large organizations in every industry are seeing the benefits of building bespoke applications for internal or client-facing services. Outsourcing application development allows business owners to get the finished results they want with minimal project management or liability concerns. 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IT SERVICES AND IT CONSULTING?

Technically, IT consulting is one type of IT professional services. In practice, consultants usually focus on the strategic areas of IT, such as system analysis, policy recommendations, network design, project engineering, and cybersecurity compliance. On the other hand, IT services involve actions: maintaining, implementing, installing, and protecting network infrastructure and resources.

ARE IT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES THE SAME AS MANAGED SERVICES?

Managed IT services are one option for professional services, but not the only one:

  • Staff augmentation: Hire additional in-house IT professionals.
  • Managed IT services: Outsource IT completely to third-party providers.
  • Hybrid IT: Use in-house IT professionals for critical areas and outsource time-consuming tasks or specialized needs.

At TSP, we can help you with all three options. Our team can coordinate IT projects, design hybrid solutions that fit your project goals, or help you find trustworthy professionals to boost your capabilities.

DISCOVER WHAT IT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CAN BE

What makes professional services so helpful is how versatile they are. Fill organizational gaps with qualified IT personnel, from projects to day-to-day operations. See the true meaning of IT professional services and turnkey solutions in practice. Contact us to learn more.

 

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