Technology is meant to streamline and simplify our businesses, but often it can seem like IT issues are the source of all our headaches. While the rapid advances and growing capabilities of information technology – not to mention the growing threats – can seem difficult to keep up with, there is good news for businesses of all types and sizes.
Most IT issues stem from just a few common problems – and with a little upfront diligence, you can not only protect your data and business, but become more productive in the process.
Data Backup Issues
From the advent of the very first computer, IT professionals have been screaming from the rooftops – back up your data! Still, not having complete and secure data backups is one of the primary issues that small companies face. It is estimated that the likelihood of a small business surviving a critical data loss may be as low as 10%. In a “bring-your-own-device” environment, much of the data resides on personal devices on employee desks (or worse, at home!) and unless a stringent back-up plan is in place, that data is often at risk as well.
>> What Can You Do Right Now? Getting the data off a desktop device and into a central location is the key. Train your employees to routinely backup their work not to their own device, but to an offsite server or hard drive, whether company owned or in the cloud. You may wish to automate a daily backup overnight, or perhaps at scheduled times during the day if people bring their laptops home. Whatever your strategy, consistency and diligence are key. You should also test the integrity of your data on a regular basis, to ensure that all backups are occurring according to plan. Once the data is lost, it may be too late to recover it.
Cyber Attacks
You may think cyber-criminals only target large companies. But according to the Verizon Data Breach Investigation Report, 61% of cyber crime and breaches affect smaller businesses, and UPS Capital reports that cyber attacks and ransomware cost small businesses between $84,000 and $148,000 per incident. That hit is too large for many small businesses to absorb, the study reports, and more than half go out of business within 6 months.
>> What Can You Do Right Now? Acknowledge the problem and assess your threat risk. This is a complex issue and there are many aspects to consider. For instance, you may want to restrict non-essential employee access to files and employ two step verification. Install and utilize firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware programs. Educate your team about downloading software updates, opening suspicious emails and storing sensitive data. Implement a solid backup plan (see above) to ensure that you have access to your own data should a breach occur. Training your team on how to proceed in the event of an attack is also a key piece to mitigating the damages.
Outdated Hardware & Software
Technology is moving at lightning fast speed, and it seems like there is always a new device to purchase or new software platform to employ. Most people tend to think their laptop will last 5 or 6 years, but often that is an optimistic view.
In fact, repairs to your hardware may be more expensive than buying a new system! It can all seem pretty overwhelming, but paralysis is not the answer. As technology ages it can slow down and malfunction, causing lost productivity and frustration for both employees and customers.
Although the equation will vary from business to business, companies should weigh the cost of newer equipment and software against the possibility of lost sales, revenue and morale.
>> What Can You Do Right Now? Evaluate the real daily experience of employees and customers. Are the delays, hang-ups, and frustrations tied to hardware and software issues? If these are routinely disrupting the efficiency of your operations, you will want to put a technology obsolescence plan in place. Know how long your systems should last, and plan for retiring and replacing them at the proper time. Standardize hardware and software protocols across the board, so that you can employ economies of scale both in purchase and maintenance; and plan for and perform routine software updates across all systems, even employee personal laptops if necessary.
No Overall IT Plan
No matter what the project, failing to have a coherent plan is often a recipe for disaster. In the IT world, businesses often employ a piecemeal approach – they may add a laptop on a whim, install more data capability when needed, or decide to try a new anti-virus program they just read about.
One employee may be backing up to the cloud, while another carries data home on a flash drive. Your sales rep may be diligent about keeping his desktop computer OS updated to the latest version, while your accountant never thinks about it.
The evolution of IT has made business infinitely more productive, portable, and robust – but it has also opened up a world of vulnerability and opportunity for points of failure.
>>What Can You Do Today? Having a comprehensive, strategic plan which addresses functionality, protection, maintenance and growth is the best way to ensure that you business not only survives, but thrives today and into the future. Hiring an experienced and dedicated IT professional, whether as an employee or as a contractor, is no longer an option if you want to compete in today’s fast paced technology world. Managed services, such as those offered by Alliance IT of Sarasota, allow you to not only create an overall strategy for success, but to manage the day to day IT issues which arise. Managed IT services support your business initiatives and take all of the worry off your plate – allowing you to do what you do best. Succeed.
