We weatherstrip our windows, install smoke detectors, and buy homeowner’s insurance in anticipation of threats to our houses. We take a proactive approach. But too often organizations choose a reactive attitude to their IT infrastructures, waiting to act until hardware fails, software licenses expire, or disasters strike. While the reactive approach seems less demanding, failure to anticipate trouble can prove costly. How can we take a proactive approach in IT business?
Proactive it maintenance ensures your IT infrastructure remains efficient and up-to-date, minimizing disruptions and maximizing productivity.
How Can We Take a Proactive Approach to IT ?
Proactive IT Maintenance
Hardware
Network hardware ages. A proactive approach anticipates and budgets for replacement costs of servers, phone systems, desktops, etc. and keeps abreast of newer technology. For example, a growing business may plan to move from in-house servers to Cloud-based strategies or replace aging servers before they fail.
Software
A proactive approach also anticipates and budgets for subscription renewals. To mitigate problems and avoid downtime, a proactive IT solutions department regularly applies upgrades to all applications. Keeping security software applications updated is critical to avoiding costly data breaches. Adopting newer software products such as Microsoft Teams, part of the Microsoft 365 applications, can enable your workers to collaborate more effectively. With advances in artificial intelligence (AI), organizations can adopt automated Helpdesk support and ease the burden on their IT staff.
Proactive Security
Effective security – network and data – demands a proactive approach. Waiting until a hacker breaches your security or a disaster shuts down your system can have catastrophic effects, costing far more than the expense to properly secure your IT infrastructure. Organizations taking a proactive approach employ effective backup procedures and design effective disaster recovery plans.
Verizon’s 2022 Data Breaches Investigation Report found human error caused over 80% of security breaches. Being proactive about cybersecurity means educating employees to recognize phishing and other similar scams as well as training them to properly secure their network access when working remotely.
Proactive Development
A proactive approach to IT recognizes the value of information technology in a business’s overall growth strategy. A wise organization employs IT experts when designing workflow processes to support the business as well as developing a roadmap to ensure its IT infrastructure keeps pace with the company’s needs and budget. A wise organization reviews its IT infrastructure to ensure its overall design supports critical business processes.
A proactive approach in IT business demands vigilance and expertise. Unless an organization can afford a robust IT department that can also keep abreast of the changing IT landscape, the business should consider contracting with a managed service provider (MSP). This team of IT professionals can architect and maintain an effective system and create a roadmap for development to support your business now and into the future.
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