web hosting

Bursting Five Managed Hosting Misconceptions

More small and medium sized companies are thriving due to the benefits of managed hosting.   However, with the popularity has come various myths about this service that have done nothing but confuse interested customers.  To keep you in line with the facts, this article will debunk five of the most common misconceptions about managed hosting.

1.) Managed Hosting is a Completely Outsourced Solution

The way some describe it, managed hosting is a type of service that completely alleviates you from server administration and daily management tasks, a fully outsourced service that does not require you to lift a finger.  In most cases, this isn’t true.  While you typically get far more automated assistance than offered by a dedicated hosting provider, the level of managed services all depends on the price, package and host you select.  Even when signing on for a fully managed contact, you will still be responsible for design, promotion and the basic administration of your site.

2.) Only Inexperienced Users Need Managed Services

Many have the misconception that managed hosting is strictly designed for businesses and individuals who lack the abilities needed to maintain a web server.  This comes from the fact that managing a dedicated server requires a certain level of technical skills, which is the reason that several choose to outsource these tasks to another company.  Be that as it may, managed hosting can benefit all types of customers, even those who are well versed in administration and know their way around a web server.

3.) Managed Hosting is More Reliable

Almost all companies will promise you a respectable uptime and reliable service.  The same holds true for managed hosting providers.  Although you have your own server, there are still many incidents that could possibly result in service interruptions and downtime.  The reliability you get from a managed hosting solution all depends on the company you choose.  If they have taken the time to build a stable infrastructure with redundant systems, downtime should be a very rare occurrence.

4.) Managed Hosting is More Secure

One of the biggest misconceptions you can fall into is automatically assuming that a managed hosting provider will keep your server secure.  Most companies take the necessary steps to detect and prevent common threats such as malware, intrusion, DDoS attacks and other exploits.  What you should know is that no server or web hosting system is ever 100% protected.  Different strains of malicious software are released on a frequent basis and hackers grow more sophisticated everyday.  This is why it is so important for both you and your managed hosting provider to make security a priority.

5.) Managed Hosting is Cost Prohibitive

In general, managed hosting is more expensive that your typical dedicated server plan.  However, it can also result in tremendous cost savings for your business.  These savings are obtained by the fact that you don’t have to make any costly upfront investment on hardware, software or infrastructure.  You can also spare yourself from having to hire a professional IT team.  At the very least, you can keep staffing expenses to a minimum.  Over the long run, managed hosting can be far more cost effective than leasing a dedicated server.

Hack-Proofing Your Dedicated Server

Having a dedicated server is one of the true signs that you have made it as a small to medium sized business owner.  Unfortunately, it also makes you a likely target of hacking and other security threats.  Securing any machine equipped with a web or application server is a huge challenge, one you may not be able to overcome alone.  You need to worry about everything from your email and FTP communications to OS and kernel patches.  And let’s not forget about those web technologies that can bring you so much functionality along with a lot of grief when not properly secured.  This web-based world we live in can be very hazardous to any business so if you want to protect your server, we suggest paying close attention to the contents of this article.

Must-Have Defenses

Securing a dedicated server begins with creating a two-layer bullet proof vest to deflect the attempts of the enemy.  Two of the most effective weapons to carry into battle: firewall and intrusion protection technology.  With a firewall, your server will be able to fight off common exploits such as DDoS (distributed denial of service) and brute force attacks.  Usually originating from multiple unsecured, enslaved machines, the dreaded DDoS attack will slam your dedicated server with awful amounts of insignificant traffic, overwhelming critical resources and rendering the hardware inaccessible to legitimate users.  A quality firewall with good configurations will enforce rules that filters access and blocks malicious traffic while allowing legitimate traffic to pass.  This is all done in a way that reduces latency and slow moving processes, so it all appears transparent to the end-user.

Though similar in a nature, intrusion detection and prevention takes a more advanced approach towards server security.  This technology blocks malicious traffic right at the source, locking compromised hosts in a quarantine area all while routing genuine user traffic in a quick and efficient manner.  If a firewall represents your first line of defense, then intrusion protection serves as your behind enemy lines mechanism.  This powerful combination allows you to shift security measures from a reactive to proactive aspect.

Don’t Stop There

While the implementation of firewalls and intrusion protection make good first steps, one should keep in might that this isn’t the set it and forget it type of deal.  In order to stay ahead of the hackers, malware coders and corporate saboteurs you must consistently employ vigilance as well as frequent updates of your patches, blacklists, filters and other vital elements.  Purchasing and installing a few security devices and applications can be viewed as the easy part.  Managing them with efficiency is an entirely different story.

Because properly securing a dedicated server is cost prohibitive for most small and medium sized organizations, you may want to consider a managed service to help keep the intruders away.   Managed hosting is the often overlooked aspect of a dedicated server that could spell the difference between running a successful business, or going down because of a major security breach.  If you are not sure where you stand on server security, consult your IT team or speak with a professional firm for guidance.