In the contemporary business arena, almost all businesses spend capital on information technology for missions to be accomplished. The area that deals with the provision of IT services in the form of IT support network support is also quite critical in making sure that their business endeavors, technical in all dimensions, run perfectly. At the same time, while these two terms are sometimes regarded as synonymous, they are not interchangeable. Businesses need to appreciate the differences between IT support and network support to get the right solutions for business problems.
Defining IT Support
IT support covers a myriad of services spread across the entire IT domain a company perhaps has or wishes to have. This includes the provision of support on everything tech-related, such as software, hardware, data, cyber, and many other activities of the firm. Specialists in IT support ensure that computers, servers, software applications, and other devices and furniture are working well and are reliable.
Typical responsibilities of IT support:
- Software Installations and Follow-ups: This includes the installation, updates, and follow-up of the software applications that are supported by the IT team in order for them to work properly.
- Hardware Care: This includes servicing maintenance and health of external devices like laptops, printers, and servers.
- Data Backup and Restoration: In case of bleak IT support, it assists in setting up backup plans for data storage and helps in the restoration of operations after a successful data loss.
- Cyber security: IT support is also tasked with ensuring measures are put in place to secure the sensitive information and systems of the organization.
Understanding Network Support
Network support, on the other hand, is a bit more defined in that it involves aspects dealing with the networking needs of the company. It entails all the activities involved in designing, configuring, managing, and fixing the networks that physically interlink computers and other equipment in the organization. Network support manages and deploys LANs, WANs, and internet access that allow communication not just within the organization but also outside it. Network support helps in providing connectivity with the interlinking of various systems within the organization and outside by setting up and maintaining LAN and WAN, among other things.
Key Functions of Network Support:
- Network Setup and Configuration: Network support groups deploy and set up communication tools such as routers, firewalls, and switches to optimize communication.
- Network Monitoring: This includes assessment of the system for possible network elements such as intrusions and poor performance of the system that may be time-sensitive.
- Troubleshooting Network Issues: Network support provides solutions to the problems of having limited internet, disconnections, and compromising security within the enviro of the network.
- Security Management: Effective security measures such as firewalls, the use of intrusion detection systems, and VPNs, amongst many others, to protect the network against external threats is an essential undertaking.
The Core Differences Between IT Support and Network Support
Both IT support and network support are critical components in the health of a business from a technological viewpoint, yet there are certain differences.
- Scope of Activities:
IT support is a lot more expansive in terms of requirements and includes computers, programs, cyber protection, data, and so on. It’s oriented in need to board all of the IT structures of the company.
Network support, on the other hand, deals only with the networking part of information systems, which means making sure all devices are talking to each other.
- Specialization:
IT support specialists are mainly ecological, investigating many contexts of tech-related problems in the frame of a certain organization.
Network support specialists are more narrow in their skills, dealing with networking equipment, including routers, switches, and firewalls.
- Security Concern:
IT Support deals, among other things, with issues such as data leaks and spills, viruses, phishing, and many more that fall within a more generalist-type cybersecurity scope.
Network support deals particularly with extreme security, which is trying to restrict internal people from making malicious use of the network in the first place using firewalls, VPNs, as well as encryption techniques.
Also Read: How to Protect Your Business from Cyber Attacks with Managed IT and Cybersecurity Services
When to Seek IT Support vs. Network Support
Knowing when to escalate issues to IT support or when to escalate those issues to network support will help businesses address their concerns quickly and efficiently.
IT support is sought when your problem involves computer hardware, software, printers, and any issues regarding cyber security services and data backup services.
Network support is sought when there are problems related to connectivity, the design and placement of the network are required, or there is a need to fortify the existing network security further.
Conclusion
We Geeks Worldwide Solutions are available to provide any kind of support, whether IT support service or network support service, in Canada or the USA. Our skilled team is committed to delivering dependable and effective responses to your specific requirements. All-in-all, contact us if you would like to get expert help and assistance so that you can secure your technology infrastructure.