IT-Checklist

It’s 2021 and technology is changing! Your business may be up to speed or it may need a few upgrades. Below is an IT checklist to help you decide if you’re investing correctly in your business’s IT.

Do you have Cybersecurity solutions?

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks or threats.  Some common threats include phishing, malware, ransomware, and etc.

Here are some of the many available cybersecurity solutions:

  1. Firewalls – Firewalls monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic to protect against malicious attacks.
  2. Encryption – Encrypting your data ensures that even if data is stolen, hackers wouldn’t be able to read it. They would need a key or password to decrypt the information.
  3. Antivirus and anti-malware – These are the most fundamental cybersecurity solutions. This software scan systems for threats and blocks any virus from accessing devices.
  4. Data loss prevention – These tools and processes are used to ensure that sensitive data is not lost, misused, or accessed by unauthorized users.
  5. Web filtering – Web filtering prevents users from accidentally accessing harmful services on the organization’s network that could expose them to a data breach.
  6. Educate – Educating and bringing awareness to the latest tactics used by scammers can help reduce the likelihood of clicking links and exposing them to malicious software. The best protection is for the user. Always investigate before you click or open anything.

Is your business following Compliance?

The US Government and regulation agencies have put in place several security regulations to help companies in various industries prevent unauthorized access to private consumer and employee information.  Without following compliance regulations, the potential for data breaches is elevated resulting in leaked client information, and loss of sales and financial data. Failure to comply can result in thousands of dollars in fees.

Which compliance regulations apply to your organization?

HIPAA  – All organizations that operate with protected health information must comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

PCI DSS – All organizations that utilize credit cards must follow the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. Merchants fall within four levels based on transaction levels.

SOX – All publicly help companies must follow the Sarbanes- Oxley Act to protect the general public and shareholders.

NIST SP 800-171 – As of December 31st, 2017, the National Institute of Standards and Technology published a special publication requiring the protection of unclassified information in nonfederal information systems and organizations.

CMMC – As of last year, all organizations conducting business with the Department of Defense will be required to obtain Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification prior to bidding on a contract.

Do you have a Disaster Recovery Plan and backup?

Next on the IT checklist is a disaster recovery plan, it is a structured document that contains detailed instructions and procedures in response to an unplanned natural or human-induced disaster.

Here are the different types of disaster recovery plans:

  1. Virtualization Disaster Recovery

This plan is a combination of server and storage virtualization that allows organizations to store backups in places that are not tied to their own physical location.

  1. Network Disaster Recovery

This recovery plan is a set of policies and procedures that ensures a network is reinstated to its normal working operations after it goes offline or is disrupted after an unplanned event. This plan is specifically designed for the internet or external network infrastructure.

  1. Cloud-based Disaster Recovery

Also known as cloud DR or cloud DRP, enables the backup and recovery of remote machines on a cloud-based platform.

  1. Datacenter disaster recovery

This plan involves organizational planning to resume operations following an unexpected event that may damage or destroy data, software, and hardware systems.

Do you have an IT Infrastructure?

An IT infrastructure includes all of an organization’s software, hardware, operating systems, and data storage. As your organization grows, so does your cyber vulnerability. It’s best to get professional help from experts to ensure your IT infrastructure is reliable and secure.

Do you have Office365?

Office 365 is a cloud-based, subscription model version of Microsoft’s suite Microsoft office. Why should you move to Microsoft Office 365? Because it is flexible and always up-to-date.  This popular software integrates productivity and collaboration.

Below are some of the few other reasons why you should switch to Office 365.

  1. Allows users to access applications and documents from anywhere on any device.
  2. It is scalable so you can manage your monthly subscription or storage.
  3. Always up to date so you’ll have access to the latest versions at no additional cost.
  4. Because it’s on the cloud, it is automatically backed up. It checklist

These are just a few basic things to cross off your IT checklist. How many did you check off?

Contact us today to get help with procuring the right technology for your business!

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