The beginning of the new year is a great opportunity to start fresh and set your goals for your business. Whether you aim to expand your operations or to go fully remote, making business IT a priority will ensure that you meet your objectives for 2022. Here are a few IT resolutions to make to set you and your team on the right track this year.
Get organized
Numerous studies have shown that clutter has a direct impact on productivity. Sifting through the piles of paper on your desk or the jumble of folders and shortcuts on your PC’s desktop wastes time and energy, keeping you from getting tasks done.
To avoid this and become more productive, get into the habit of decluttering your workspace at the beginning of each month. This involves tidying up your desk and the area around it. Get rid of paper documents you no longer need, and organize your cables with cable ties. Decluttering also means deleting unwanted or unused apps on your computer and ridding your email inbox of spam. It’s also a good idea to sort files into folders and archive important messages so you’ll have an easier time finding the information you need when you need it.
Beef up cybersecurity
Cybercriminals are getting smarter; they’re constantly finding new and better ways to launch successful attacks against organizations while avoiding detection. This makes staying one step ahead of them at all times more challenging — but not impossible. Taking measures to bolster your cybersecurity posture will help you defend against cyberattacks and keep your data and other critical assets secure.
- Perform an IT audit to evaluate the efficiency, reliability, and security of your applications and systems. An IT audit will reveal any gaps and vulnerabilities that might put your company at risk of data breaches and cyberattacks.
- Implement multifactor authentication (MFA). MFA requires users to accomplish an additional login step, such as scanning their fingerprint or providing a one-time passcode, to prove their identity. This ensures that only authorized users can access your company’s data and apps.
- Install updates as soon as they become available. Keeping your software and devices up to date protects your business from new and emerging cyberthreats.
- Use a password manager to generate and store strong, unique passwords for all of your accounts.
- Provide your staff with ongoing training in cybersecurity awareness and best practices. Keeping your employees informed about the latest threats and how to keep these at bay is your business’s best defense.
Related reading: 5 Cybersecurity challenges to watch out for in 2022
Regularly back up mission-critical data
Since the pandemic began, organizations have relied heavily on the cloud to keep their operations going. And with users accessing cloud apps and storage from anywhere — sometimes using personal devices — the attack surface has greatly increased, giving cybercriminals more opportunities to gain access to company networks and data.
This makes performing regular, scheduled backups of business data more important than ever. Having on-site and off-site copies of your critical files ensures your business can stay operational in the event of a cyberattack or a natural disaster. You can easily restore essential data from backups and go about your tasks as normal.
Upgrade your tech
Issues with technology are often the culprit behind the many challenges faced by businesses today. Computers that are slow to boot up or an internet connection that keeps cutting out can lead to downtime and frustrate employees, not to mention customers. If you and your team are experiencing such issues, it may be time to replace your old tech.
Related reading: Is your business due for a technology upgrade?
Not only will upgrading your hardware and software address downtime and related problems, but it will also help you save more. With new technology, you no longer have to spend a fortune whenever something breaks down. You can put your savings toward activities that will grow your bottom line. Additionally, modern business IT solutions such as Voice over Internet Protocol systems and project management tools are better suited for remote or hybrid work environments. Having such tools at your disposal enables you and your team to better handle all the challenges associated with doing business in the new normal.
Start the new year with a bang with help from the experts at Cutting Edge Network Technologies. We’ll set your Florida business on the path to growth with productivity-boosting business IT solutions and proactive cybersecurity tools. Call us at 407-974-6937, or download our FREE eBook to learn more about our services.
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