Here’s an important
question most businesses don’t think about: what would happen if your in-house
IT guru suddenly quit? Most business owners think it would only be a temporary inconvenience
when, in fact, the opposite is usually true. Want to know how much you are at
risk? Ask yourself the following 6 questions:
1. Do
you have written network documentation about your computer network? What
software licenses do you own? What are the critical administrator passwords to
your systems and devices? How is your computer network structured? What
hardware do you own and when do your equipment warranties expire? Are there
cloud vendors for email, online storage, etc. that you don’t currently have?
You should NEVER allow a single IT person to keep this information under their
full control over your network and company. If they suddenly left for any
reason, this could lead to huge consequences for your company.
2. Do
you know where your backup files are stored and if they are being stored
properly? If you are like most business owners,
you’re too busy dealing with the “crisis of the day” to think about system
backups and probably leave tasks to your internal expert. If your database gets
fried and your tech is nowhere to be found, you might be in a lot of trouble.
3. Do
you have a written plan for restoring your network fast in the case of a
disaster? If you don’t have a fully tested
disaster recovery plan for your office, you could be at serious risk without
ever knowing it until something happens.
4. Do
you know where all of your software is stored?
Bad things can happen to computers and servers, and the situation can be made
worse if you are not prepared. Taking a minute to organize and store your
software in a secure place can save you a considerable chunk of money in the
event that you need to restore a program on your systems. If you don’t have
access to the software or don’t know where it is located, you might be forced
to buy the software again.
5. Do
you know what routine maintenance must be done to your network?
I know that the very idea of learning about and keeping track of all the
servers, workstations, and peripherals on your network probably gives you a
major headache, but it is important information to maintain. If your in-house
expert leaves, who will take over?
6. Do
you know how to protect yourself from an ugly security breach if your in-house
computer expert leaves? What happens if your
in-house expert splits with no warning AND has access to your company’s
network? As soon as humanly possible, you should disable his or her access,
including remote access to y our network and all cloud based applications.
So how did you
do? If you answered “no” to even one of these questions, you need to get the
answers now before it’s too late. Click here to get started or call
716-373-4467 x 15 to speak with a Databranch Computer Expert!
