What to Include in a Year-end Technology Infrastructure Review

With the year ending, it’s a great moment to get your business ready for next year’s success. Smart use of technology can improve how you work and help your business grow. Reviewing your IT setup could give your company the boost it needs.

At the end of each year, organizations should review their IT to find ways to increase profits and reduce cyber risks. This is a good chance to look at how you use technology and make changes to keep your business secure and get the most from your investment.

Want to get ahead of your competitors? Deloitte data shows that small businesses using digital technology are leading the way. These companies benefit from smoother processes and stronger customer relationships. Now is a great time to update your business operations.

1. Earn 2x more revenue per employee

2. Experience year-over-year revenue growth nearly 4x as high

3. Had an average employee growth rate over 6x as high

Companies that leverage technology to its fullest potential can experience immense success and security. According to IBM, having an incident response plan in place not only provides greater protection against data breaches, but it could also save up to 61% of the costs associated with such a breach. Additionally, utilizing AI-driven automation for your business’ cybersecurity strategy will result in potentially saving 70%.

Use this holiday season to check that your business is secure and ready for the new year. A tech review from an IT provider can help you prepare for whatever comes next.

As the year draws to a close

Embarking on a year-end technology review is the perfect opportunity to assess your IT infrastructure. Make sure all security bases are covered, identify areas where efficiency can be improved and weigh bottom-line repercussions before making any decisions that will shape future tech initiatives.

Technology has changed the way we live, work and play

To keep your digital operations current, review your tech policies often. Update your guidelines as needed, such as changing device use rules if employees are working from home. Staying proactive helps you handle new situations as they come up.

Make sure your staff knows about any policy changes. Giving employees a quick update can help ensure they remember important details since their onboarding.

Ensuring your business is prepared for the unexpected

Has your organization recently updated its plan for handling emergencies like cyberattacks or natural disasters? Are your staff members trained on what to do if something happens? Make sure you are prepared for anything that might come your way.

As the new year approaches, it’s a good time to get ready for possible disasters. Set up a disaster recovery plan and schedule regular drills and training so your team knows what to do if something happens.

Struggling with IT ails?

Before you make a major IT upgrade, think about how it could affect your employees. Planning ahead can help avoid disruptions and give your team what they need to work better.

Uncover your employees’ tech perspectives and discover how technology can help boost business performance. Poll them on their favorite apps, as well as the ones that give them trouble – then put those insights to use by targeting improvements where it matters most!

Private access to sensitive accounts must be monitored closely

As you review your systems at year-end, make sure privileged accounts are used properly. Even small changes in permissions can add up and create security risks, so keep a close watch.

It’s important to tightly control privileged accounts in your business. Limiting these accounts reduces your risk and helps protect against serious security problems. Make sure only those who truly need admin-level access have it.

Go through your accounts and look for any that are no longer used. Unused or 'orphaned' accounts can be a security risk, so close them to keep your business safe.

Revolutionize your technology strategy in 2021!

Unplanned IT upgrades can lead to problems. To avoid this, make a clear plan for upgrading your systems in an organized way.

Be proactive and safeguard your company’s cybersecurity with a vulnerability assessment. This useful tool will identify potential issues, allowing you to budget in advance for the necessary upgrades – avoiding any nasty surprises down the line!

Organizational data stored in the cloud is on the rise

Are you using too much of the cloud? Take a closer look at your applications and find out how to avoid redundancies, save money, and get the most from what’s in your environment. Perform an audit now for smarter technology spending!

Cloud applications that aren’t approved can be a serious security risk. Employees might use these tools without management knowing. Find and address any shadow IT by closing these accounts or officially approving them to keep your data safe.

Customer-Facing Technology

To make sure your technology gives customers a good experience, try using your website and contact process as if you were a client. This can help you spot areas for improvement.

Frustration can quickly drive away customers and leads. Use the new year as a chance to improve user experience by fixing common issues in your customer-facing technology.

Want to make sure your technology is secure?

Stay ahead by booking a comprehensive technology review with us. We’ll give you personalized recommendations to help guide your business into the future, free of charge. Schedule your consultation today.