Does it ever feel like the very technology designed to enhance your productivity is the number one drag on your productivity? If so, you’re not alone. For many Orange County businesses, it feels like their IT system is just one troubleshooting session after another. To complicate matters, most small businesses don’t have the budget or the workload to justify bringing an IT technician on staff.
Here’s the good news: Many of the most common IT problems have fairly simple solutions. The following guide should give you a starting point for dealing with these issues.
Insufficient Network Security
Hacking and cyberattacks are among the top threats to businesses today, yet many small businesses are profoundly ill-equipped to deal with these issues. Flawed security is one of those “silent but deadly” problems that you don’t realize is a problem until it’s too late. All it takes is one security breach to paralyze your business, compromise your clients’ personal information and put your company in jeopardy.
Solutions: An active firewall, data encryption and robust password protection are generally enough to protect your Orange County business against most cybersecurity threats. These solutions are fairly easy to implement, especially with the help of an IT service to evaluate your specific needs. Bonus tip: Don’t forget to include employees’ mobile devices in your security plan as these may also be vulnerable. Keep them protected with strong passwords and a good security app.
Keeping Up with Hardware and Software Updates
Just because a computer hasn’t failed doesn’t mean it’s working well. As file sizes get larger and protocols change with time, older machines start running slower and outdated apps have a harder time keeping up. Eventually, either your hardware or software will no longer work.
Solutions: Check for regular updates on all your software to ensure they continue to run efficiently. (Updates also increase cybersecurity.) Evaluate your hardware every few years to see if it’s time for an upgrade. You might consider rotating these upgrades gradually so you don’t get hit with them all at once. Bonus tip: A managed IT service can keep on top of these updates and upgrades for you so you don’t have to think too much about them.
Improperly Trained Staff
The vast majority of technology mishaps, failures and security breaches happen not because of the tech, but because of human error. Without proper training in things like password protection, security protocols, and software use, it’s only a matter of time before you experience downtime due to employee mistakes.
Solution: Set up a clear protocol for the safe use of your technology, and take all your staff through the training for it. Be sure to make it part of the training for new hires as well.
If these and other common IT problems seem overwhelming to you, one great all-around solution is to work with a managed IT service to manage and maintain your office technology. It’s an affordable way to let someone else worry about your IT while you work on the important things—like running your business. To learn more about managed IT for Orange County businesses, call NetServ today at 1-877-NetServ.