One of the perks we can offer our clients is that we’ve been around for 25 years. So that’s 25 years of learning valuable lessons we can pass on to you.
So, this year, we want to share our top 25 lessons with you, and we’re breaking them down into five categories, which may make them easier to remember. They are the following:
- Security Lessons
- Small Business Lessons
- Office 360 Lessons
- Physical Office Technology Integration Lessons
- Data Recovery Lessons
Top 5 Security Lessons
Computer data security is a must these days. Businesses are constantly on the lookout for hackers and malware. Here are the security lessons we’ve learned that will keep your business safer in 2023:
- Log4J Vulnerability – If you haven’t done this already, The Federal Trade Commission is warning all businesses to fix Log4J security dangers before hackers can use the hole in the code to break through into your data.
- Business Email Compromise – If you get a weird email from your boss, it’s probably not legit. Hackers are trying to pretend they’re your boss to get you to click on links you shouldn’t so they can break into your data. Please don’t fall for it.
- Endpoint Security is a Must – This is a weak area in many businesses’ security systems. It’s when a device is connected to your firewall outside your company. It leaves you open to threats.
- Human Error is the Biggest Cause of Security Breaches – None of us are perfect. Still, unfortunately, this also means that one of your biggest security threats to your company is your employees. You must remind them regularly – “if it looks suspicious, it probably is.”
- A Layered Approach to Security is Your Best Bet – Threats to your security can come through different levels. They can come just by connecting to the internet, through an app you use, or an email. This is why you need a layered approach to keep your business secure.
Top 5 Small Business Lessons
Our approach to helping small businesses manage their IT comes from 25 years of working with them. Because of the lessons we’ve learned over the years, we keep our services flexible to better support you. Here are some of the lessons we gleaned over the last two decades:
- There is no “one size fits all” solution – This is why we offer businesses their choice of In-House IT solutions or Outsourced IT solutions. You need to work with us in the way that is best for your business, and we understand that.
- You need a documented software implementation process – Technology is constantly improving, so you’re probably updating your software at least once a year. Having a documented software implementation process will make the update much smoother.
- Privacy. Privacy. Privacy. – Your customers expect you to protect their information. Invest in privacy-enhancing technologies to protect your customers and your reputation.
- Communication – When running a small business, communication is everything. You can’t overcommunicate the critical stuff with your customers or your employees.
- Plan Ahead – This is especially important if you’re changing your technology. It would help if you planned months in advance to determine the best way for a smooth transition that will protect your data and your customers while also keeping your employees from being lost in confusion and chaos.
Top 5 Office 360 Lessons
Office 360 is a cloud service that meets your needs for robust security, 24/7 reliability, and user productivity at a low subscription price. Here are the most important lessons we’ve learned over the years regarding hosting and managing this vital platform:
- Remote Monitoring and Management Gives Your Business Flexibility – We could all use more flexibility in our lives. Remote Monitoring and Management is just one way to do that for your company. It allows IT professionals to connect to any computer from anywhere in the world without being physically in front of it.
- Managed Services are Key for the Service Industry – If your business is in the service industry, your customers likely expect you to be at their beck and call. That’s why companies in this sector can benefit from having an IT service that can manage their technology while they focus on their customers.
- Technology Changes Every 18 Months (Roughly) – You read that right. Our technology changes or evolves roughly every 18 months. While many of us don’t like change, , we have to learn to adapt to it. We like to look at it as keeping us on our toes. Things certainly can’t get boring if they’re changing that fast!
- Collaboration Is Not Vertical, It Is A Horizontal Integration – This means that rather collaborating in our own business silos, our businesses and employees must work together (horizontally) for successful IT operations.
- Take Advantage Of 24/7 Support – One of the benefits of FUSE3 is our 24/7 availability. Businesses that take advantage of this support thrive and feel greater confidence knowing we’ve got their back anytime, day or night.
Top 5 Physical Office Tech Integration Lessons
We’ve worked with a lot of growing businesses over the years. At some point, they usually need to move into bigger offices to accommodate their growth. So here are our top 5 lessons for office moves and cable installation:
- Manage Virtual Desktops – A virtual desktop infrastructure allows your IT services provider to use a centralized desktop image for each class of user. This provides a consistent and safe environment regardless of the staff’s location or equipment.
- Stay On Top Of Your Servers And Networks – It is vital to secure and inventory your network equipment and systems. You’ll want to manage your licenses, ensure all drivers and software are up to date, and integrate them with your existing equipment.
- Open Offices Don’t Typically Work – Harvard Business Review recently published an article on this issue saying, “In a number of workplaces we have observed for research projects or consulting assignments, those structures have produced less interaction—or less meaningful interaction—not more.” We’ve found this to be true in our experience as well.
- Do Your Homework – Before you read one article and decide to implement what they’re recommending, do your homework. Taking the issue above as an example, you would want to ask employees about their opinion on open offices. Find employees who have worked in an open office and get their feedback.
- Choose The Proper Hardware And Software To Fit Your Needs – Here’s another area where you want to do your homework. Just because hardware or software is suitable for one company, even a company you wish to mode,l doesn’t mean it’s right for your business. Talk with IT experts about your needs and goals and let them help you evaluate if the hardware or software is right for your business or suggest another type that is.
Top 5 Data Recovery Lessons
At one point or another, nearly all businesses have to deal with a data breach and work to get their data back. Here are the top 5 lessons we’ve learned about data recovery:
- Prevent Data Breaches From Happening – It’s worth the time and money upfront to do everything you can to prevent a data breach in the first place.
- Invest In Patch Management – Not only can this help prevent your business from being vulnerable to cybercrime, but it will also keep your software running smoothly.
- Back Up Your Data – Work with an IT services provider to help back up your data. This can be especially useful if you become a victim of a ransomware attack.
- The Cloud Can Provide A Bit Of Resiliency For Your Business – This helps reduce downtime if you are hit by cybercriminals.
- Secure Your Computers – All employees should have their own login and password to access any computers or applications within the office and be encouraged to change their passwords regularly.
These lessons can help your business. And if there’s anything specific you are looking for advice on that you didn’t see in this article, feel free to reach out to us, and we can help!