An IT network is much like a highway. But instead of facilitating the movement of cars and trucks, networks allow various departments to exchange information and collaborate.
However, anyone who’s sat in bad traffic can attest that a poorly managed highway causes a litany of issues. Similarly, if you don’t know what’s going on with your network and haven’t taken the appropriate measures to keep things running smoothly, things can come to a grinding halt.
To prevent slowdowns, security breaches, or costly business disruptions, you need to be familiar with several facets of your IT network, including:
Your Security Protocols
In 2021 alone, there were over 5.7 million reports of cybercrime, such as fraud and identity theft. So to say that cybercrime is running rampant is an understatement.
And cybercrime is not just perpetrated against consumers and large corporations either. Small- to medium-sized businesses are prime targets for cybercriminals. This is because SMBs often store valuable customer data but do not have the robust security protocols that large businesses do.
With that in mind, you must know what security protocols you have in place. At a minimum, your network should be protected by firewalls, antivirus software, and user authentication tools. Depending on the industry you operate within and the nature of the data you handle, you may need to implement even more stringent protocols.
Whether You Have Backups
Backup data files are your last line of defense if your company’s network is compromised by cybercriminals. You can use these data backups to replace your lost data if it is destroyed or made inaccessible during a cyberattack.
As a business leader, you need to know whether or not you are performing data backups. You should also know how often backups are performed and where they are stored (locally or on off-site servers).
If your backups are stored locally, you may think this is enough. But have you thought about what might happen if a natural disaster like a flood or fire damaged your business? You could lose all that precious business data. With that in mind, you might opt for an off-site option so your data will be left standing — even if your office isn’t.
What Assets You Have Available
You can’t govern assets you don’t know you have. Therefore, you must have a full inventory of your assets, including physical IT equipment such as computers, servers, and tablets, as well as software solutions like cloud computing resources and applications. If you know what assets you have available, you can more efficiently allocate resources and plan for the growth of your business. If you have lost track or are unaware of what you currently have available, contact the team at AngelCom for a free system assessment.
Keeping an accurate inventory of your assets can also assist with lifecycle management. If you know when an asset has reached the end of its usefulness, you will be better prepared to replace aging or antiquated equipment.
Your Network Health and Performance
Road maintenance personnel do not wait until highways are riddled with potholes to begin making repairs. The same basic premise applies to your company’s IT network. Instead of waiting until you encounter a catastrophic issue that threatens business continuity, proactively monitor your network’s health and performance so that you can keep it functioning flawlessly.
As part of your performance monitoring efforts, you should routinely look for opportunities to implement new software and tools to streamline your operations. Staying on the cutting edge of technology will ensure that your network can always meet the needs of your business.
Want to Learn More?
If you need help getting up to speed on the state of your IT network, consider partnering with an experienced managed services provider like AngelCom IT Services.
We provide a full suite of services, from IT consulting to cybersecurity to backup and recovery planning.
Contact our team, and let’s chat about your IT needs. Together, we can tap into your business’ true potential by leveraging the power of information technology.