Spring is here! While you're organizing your workspace and getting rid of clutter, don’t forget about your business technology. Just like a messy office can slow you down, an outdated or unorganized IT system can hurt your efficiency and security. A digital “spring-clean” can help you run your business smoothly, avoid costly downtime, and protect your data from cyber threats.
Not sure where to start? Here are five practical steps to refresh your IT setup and keep your business running at its best.
1. Review Your IT Setup
Just like you’d clean out old paperwork, now is the perfect time to review all your tech tools and devices. Ask yourself:
Are you using outdated hardware that slows you down?
Are you paying for software you don’t use anymore?
Do you have multiple tools that do the same thing?
Tip: Work with your IT provider to figure out where you can make improvements. This will help you spend your budget on upgrades that really matter.
Important Note: Windows 10 will stop getting support in October 2025. If your business still uses it, now is the time to plan an upgrade!
2. Clean Up User Access
Your company’s network has a list of all users, but do all those users still work for you? It’s important to:
Remove old employee accounts that are no longer in use.
Check who has access to what—only give employees access to what they need.
Keep a record of all changes you make so there’s no confusion later.
This isn’t just about being organized—it’s also a major security step to prevent hackers from sneaking in through unused accounts.
3. Optimize Your Network for Remote Work
Many businesses now allow employees to work from home or in hybrid setups. If that’s you, make sure your system can handle it!
Upgrade your VPN to keep remote connections secure.
Check your internet bandwidth to make sure employees aren’t struggling with slow speeds.
Use secure file-sharing tools to prevent data leaks.
Also, take a moment to review any outside vendors you work with. Make sure they follow strong security practices so your data stays protected.
4. Test Your Data Backups
Backing up your data is smart—but when was the last time you actually tested it? Many businesses don’t realize their backups are broken until it’s too late. To avoid disaster:
Do a full restore test to make sure your backup works.
Time how long it takes to recover your data. If it’s too slow, you might need a better solution.
Backups should be reliable so that if something goes wrong—like a cyberattack or a system failure—you can get back up and running fast.
5. Strengthen Your Cybersecurity Plan
Cybercriminals are always finding new tricks, so your security strategy needs to keep up. Here’s what to check:
Make sure every device is protected, even employees’ personal devices if they use them for work.
Update your response plan so your team knows what to do in case of a cyberattack.
Consider investing in advanced monitoring tools that can detect and stop threats before they cause damage.
Security is not a one-time job—it’s something you need to update regularly. For example, it’s now better to use a long, complex password and enable multi-factor authentication instead of changing your password all the time.
Keep Your IT System Running Smoothly
Spring-cleaning your business tech isn’t just about decluttering—it’s about making sure your business runs smoothly, securely, and efficiently all year long. By taking these steps, you can boost productivity, reduce risks, and keep your business ahead of cyber threats.
Want to dig deeper? Contact us to discover how to find security risks, and optimize your setup.