For your business to stay competitive in the new year, one of the many things you can do is to make sure your IT systems are up to date. In 2021, new cyberthreats as well as natural and man-made disasters may also occur at any time, making it more difficult for you to do your work. If you spot the following signs, it’s time to have a serious talk with your IT team about an upgrade:
1. You’ve fallen victim to a cyberattack multiple times
A data breach, no matter how big or small, is a strong indicator that you need to upgrade your IT infrastructure. If your IT systems have been successfully targeted multiple times with malware, you've probably failed to implement an effective security solution. And if you fall victim to a data breach, not only do you have to pay steep costs to contain it, but you also have to inform your customers of the incident for transparency purposes.
To ensure your network is protected from cyberthreats, you’ll need:
- Email security software to defend against phishing and other spam emails
- Advanced Antivirus and Anti-Malware prevention tools that can detect and remove malicious programs and block malicious links from your devices
- Advanced firewalls to monitor the company network for suspicious behavior that could indicate a cyberattack
- Secure cloud or offline backups to recover your files from in case of data loss or theft
You can also partner with a managed IT services provider like Quicktech. We will monitor and maintain every aspect of your IT infrastructure 24/7, so you can be sure you have a more secure IT environment.
2. Your computers are slow
Another sign that you need to upgrade your IT is if your computers are always slow. If you constantly pay for maintenance fees and your workers regularly complain about frequent program crashes, sluggish internet connection speeds, and slow computer performance, your IT infrastructure needs an upgrade.
This means purchasing new devices and network equipment that can handle your organization’s demands. This ensures better productivity and efficiency, and helps your business avoid IT issues like downtime.
3. Your computer software is outdated
Many businesses tend to stick to applications released many years ago, and not bother updating them because they think upgrading is too costly and the current programs get the job done.
However, using outdated software may do your business more harm than good. Many applications have an end-of-support date, after which developers will stop releasing security patches. This leaves users vulnerable for entry points of cyberattacks.
This is what caused the Equifax data breach in 2017. The credit agency failed to patch a known vulnerability in its web servers, allowing cybercriminals to access more than 48 databases containing unencrypted consumer credit data.
In a similar case, the spread of the WannaCry ransomware in 2017 was aided partly by millions who were still using Windows XP, an operating system discontinued by Microsoft three years prior. Cyberattacks can cost small businesses $200,000 on average, so it’s safe to say that your company would be better off spending money on upgrades than containing a data breach.
Ensure that your programs, operating systems, and antivirus software are always updated to their latest versions. This prevents hackers from exploiting software vulnerabilities to attack your system.
4. You’re having difficulty implementing remote work
The need to shift to a remote work system took many businesses by surprise, as very few of them had a work from home policy prior to pandemic-related lockdown orders. If your business suffered the same fate, you need an IT upgrade in 2021, as failing to implement a remote work system can make it difficult for your team to collaborate and finish certain tasks.
Related article: How to work from home securely
Technology plays an important role in enabling an effective remote work system. Cloud-based collaboration tools like Microsoft 365, for instance, can improve collaboration between your remote workers. Because these tools are hosted online, your employees will be able to access and share information on any internet-connected device on demand. Cloud-based technologies also offer a secure access point to company data and applications, so you can be sure that your confidential data is protected at all times.
Managing your IT infrastructure for the upcoming year shouldn’t be difficult. Quicktech provides proactive managed IT services and robust cybersecurity solutions so you can watch out for signs of IT troubles. To learn more about how outsourcing your IT to us can boost your security and productivity, download our FREE eBook today.