Not everyone considers themselves a tech person. However, in the digital age, you need a solid grasp of the basics of information technology to keep your business running smoothly. That’s why we’ve put together this list of five things every business owner should consider when thinking about their IT needs.
Network Security
A local area network (LAN) is likely what your company uses. A LAN consists of the computers and other devices like printers in a particular location, such as the building in which your business is located. In a LAN, the devices are linked together by wires, Wi-Fi, Ethernet cables, or other means.
While convenient for communication and necessary to keep up in a fast-paced workplace environment, computer networks are composed of many different points where something could go wrong.
Generally, that happens in the form of stolen or lost data when an unauthorized malicious user gains access to the network. That’s where network security comes in.
You don’t have to be a talented programmer or otherwise tech-savvy to help secure your network. Using strong passwords and keeping your software updated are great ways to get started.
If you want to implement more intensive network security protocols, consider educating employees about phishing scams, using a VPN and multiple firewalls.
Your security needs will depend on the type of information with which you work. Dealing with protected health information, student records, financial information, and any form of personally identifying information will increase the security you need both legally and to maintain the trust of your clients.
Equipment Age
Technology changes so quickly that, at times, it feels impossible to keep up. Depending on the industry you’re in, you might not need to be on the cutting edge of everything. You do need equipment that you can rely on, though.
The old adage, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” can get you in trouble here. Older technology might not be broken yet, but as it ages, the risk of failure increases, whether software updates stop rolling out or the hardware physically fails.
Replacing equipment is expensive, and it can be time-consuming, too. If a server you’re relying on dies, the need to replace it can interrupt your workplace operations for days, if not longer.
Rather than waiting for productivity to grind to a halt, regular maintenance and replacement of aging equipment can prevent problems from occurring in the first place.
Data Backups
When the world ran on paper records, businesses usually kept multiple copies of everything. Evidence of the fact still exists today. When you CC someone on an email, it’s a throwback to the days when carbon copies were in use. If you lost a paper file it wasn’t gone for good.
Now, most records are kept digitally. It’s convenient and space-efficient, right up until a power outage fries a computer or someone permanently deletes a file.
Sometimes, you might lose access to your files through a ransomware attack. When that happens, the party behind the attack threatens to delete or otherwise withhold your data unless you pay a ransom for it.
If you have a backup of your data, it doesn’t matter if one copy is deleted or otherwise lost. While a ransomware attack would still be wildly inconvenient, it wouldn’t be the end of the world because you would be able to restore your data from the backup.
Data Storage
Having one or more backups is an excellent idea in theory, but it can get complicated in execution. Where should you store your data?
Having a backup server in the same closet you keep the rest of your servers in is a possibility, but it does not account for natural disasters. If there is a fire, flood or tornado, your data will all be lost. Ideally, you will have backups in secondary or even tertiary locations.
The best backup is one that you will never have to use. However, it needs to be up to date and readily accessible if a problem does arise. That way, you can transition seamlessly and experience minimal interruptions.
Security Standards
One final point to consider when thinking about your information technology needs is existing security standards. Your needs will vary depending on the industry you’re in and the types of data with which you work.
Standards are helpful for several reasons. Compliance with those that are mandatory allows you to continue doing business without fines or penalties. Compliance with voluntary standards gives you something to show potential clients that could set you apart from your competitors.
Security standards also offer you a window into which protocols and practices your company might benefit from implementing. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has extensive resources available if you’re interested in learning more.
Assessing your IT needs alone can be overwhelming. We’re here to simplify matters. For more information on how we can serve you, reach out to the IT Services Group today.
