Tips for Selecting Software and Services

Last month I was on a radio show talking about cybersecurity stuff. One of the questions I was asked was along the lines of “Who’s better? Microsoft, Amazon, or Google?” I gave an answer that I couldn’t recommend one or the other because I don’t know what the needs are of someone. It was something to that extent. This is why I want to give you some tips for selecting software and services.

1. Does what you need already exist built in to your operating system? Look there first before going down the research rabbit hole and spending money.

2. If the above point doesn’t pan out, create a list of what you expect this software or service to do for you and features you’d want.

Some examples:

• Do you want to be able to export files?
• Do you need to create reporting?
• Do you want a simple and easy to use user interface?

Write down what you want.

3. List out your technical specs. What operating system do you use and it’s version? How much memory and storage space do you have on your device? This is to help you see if an application is compatible with your gear.

If it’s a cloud service, you’ll want to make sure you have a web browser that’s compatible or have a way to remotely connect.

4.List out your security needs/must haves. What kind of encryption must the vendor use when it comes to storing and transmitting data? Do they offer 2FA/MFA? How often does the application or service get updated? Do you get alerts? If it’s a cloud service, you’ll want to know everything from who has access to what, did they have audits, or how do they handle outages, to name a few things.

5. What are your service needs? Are you OK with only community based support forums? Do you need the ability to work with a support engineer? What is an acceptable response time from when you open a support ticket to getting help? Do you expect support to be included in the cost of the application/service you choose?

Do you need access to support 24 hours a day/365 days a year or are you OK with support available during working hours/early evening?

6. Find no more than three vendors that meet your needs and research them. If you choose more than three vendors you’ll get overwhelmed.

You’ll want to find out what are customers saying. You also want to know if the vendor had any security incidents, if there are any known vulnerabilities, or if there are any privacy concerns. While this isn’t exhaustive, it’s a good place to start.

Once you’ve done some research, contact those vendors and talk to them about your needs and to learn more. If none of the vendors are what you’re looking for, then go back to the drawing board and find a few more, then repeat the vetting process.

7. Ask for trials, if you don’t see anything listed on the vendor’s site. By testing things out, you’ll be able to see if it meets your needs/expectations that you’ve already built out above.

8. Make your decision once you’ve weighed all the pros/cons and costs.

Don’t discount open source software. You’ll need to do more due diligence on that end and sometimes you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for.

This is why it was incredibly difficult for me to answer “Who’s better?” on the air. There’s a lot that goes into finding the best fit for your needs, whether it for personal or business use.

If you find yourself stuck in your search for software, a service, or a piece of hardware, or don’t know where to start, reach out to me in the contact form. If I’m able to help, you’ll book research time with me.

Hope you found this helpful.

-Bill