Specialized IT hardware such as servers, routers, and the like can be quite expensive, but their virtualized software counterparts are way more affordable and are faster to deploy, too. As of this writing, though, it takes specialists to successfully implement these on IT systems.

“Prevention is better than cure,” says the scholar Desiderious Erasmus and it speaks true not only in the medical field but also in technology. To avoid having a problematic storage virtualization system, here are three common mistakes to watch out for.

Many businesses find virtualization to be a cost-effective alternative to purchasing new hardware. Previously, it was necessary to allocate a new server for new applications. Now, virtual servers can run multiple operating systems and applications, eliminating hardware costs and optimizing software deployment and data backup.

Bad storage, server, and network configurations are just a few reasons why virtualization fails. These are technical in nature and are often easy to fix, but some organizations overlook the need to protect their entire virtualized environments, thinking that they’re inherently more secure than traditional IT environments.

For decades, business owners believed that servers, data centers, and IT staff were necessary to operate. No one could imagine a workplace without these important tools. This explains why virtualization took a while to take off. To understand its benefits, here are four things to consider.

Power outages, disasters, and other disruptions are inevitable. Thousands of businesses around the globe are affected by them every year, with lost profits ranging into the millions, if not billions. So how can your business protect itself and stay open when the unexpected strikes? Here is a standard business continuity plan (BCP) your company can rely on.

The efficiency of hypervisors against cyberattacks has earned them a reputation as a reliable and robust software application. But the persistence of hackers who never run out of creative ways to breach systems keeps IT experts on their toes. You should know the vulnerabilities of hypervisors so you can defend them properly and keep hackers at bay.

Investing in virtualization will allow a business to enjoy better IT management and huge cost savings. However, virtualization’s deployment process is not a walk in the park. If you’re a virtualization newbie, you need to plan carefully and implement the following best practices.

The popularity of ransomware like WannaCry and Petya has encouraged cybercriminals to develop prepackaged malware to sell on the black market. This means more ransomware attacks will hit unprepared targets in the years to come. To protect your business, you need virtualized disaster recovery (DR) solutions.

Virtual containers are changing the way business IT design and support are carried out, just like virtualization technology did a few years ago. If your small business could benefit from reduced computer hardware costs and increased workplace efficiency, it’s time to learn more about containers.