Technology is ever-evolving and a crucial part of every business’s success story. Whether or not you realize this, but your business’s IT function is at the core of your company’s success. However, just when you think that you’ve got yourself the shiniest piece of technology, something bigger and better arrives in the market. Read more about common IT problems for small businesses.
As businesses become increasingly reliant on technology to meet their objectives and achieve competitive edge and with cyber-attacks becoming rampant, it is important to take notice of some of the most pressing IT issues that spring up from time to time. These issues can be as minor as slack system performance or as big as a complete system shutdown due to hacking. If neglected, these issues can leave your business operations paralyzed.
Because some of the IT issues faced by businesses cannot be resolved by simply restarting the computer, it is necessary to know about them so you can avail timely IT support to resolve them.
Here are some IT problems that most businesses tend to grapple with and how they can be tackled.
1. Poor Network Security
Poor network security is a glaring loophole that hackers can exploit to gain control of and eventually destroy your business. This is one of the most common IT problems. Enhanced network security, on the other hand, enables you to dodge some common IT problems and risks that your business may be prone to.
Regardless of the size of your business, you should ensure that your network is robust enough to fight off malicious attacks. It is a myth that cybercriminals target the networks of only large enterprises. According to findings, 43% percent of cyberattacks target small businesses, but only 14% are prepared to defend themselves.
As you can see, very few businesses are able to overcome the effects of having poor network security, which gives rise to cyber-attacks and data leaks. In fact, a lot of businesses shut down permanently.
Robust network security will not only safeguard your sensitive financial data, but also protect your confidential customer, employee, proprietary information, and more from falling into the wrong hands.
2. Lack of Data Backup
We live in times when data is considered as precious as currency. With the increasing use of AI-based technologies in organizations, gathering data has become non-negotiable for businesses that are serious about achieving their goals and improving customer experiences. However, this makes keeping large volumes of gathered data safe a priority. This is another one of the most common IT problems.
Performing regular data backup is a great way of ensuring that your valuable data is not only stored safely, but is also always accessible to you. If your business becomes a victim of a ransomware attack, for instance, you will be able to contain the resulting damage to a great extent if you have data backup in place. You can ignore the ransom demand and use the backed-up data to continually functioning normally.
Depending on how often you perform data backup, you may lose some data. But, that’s better than losing all of it and paying thousands of dollars in ransom. According to a new report from IBM and the Ponemon Institute, the average cost of a data breach in 2020 has been $3.86 million. These high and unnecessary costs can be avoided with proper data backup mechanisms.
Also, human error, system failure, and natural calamities can lead to data loss or corruption. Retrieving it can lead to enormous avoidable expenses. When you perform regular data backup, you can rest assured that your data is safe.
If you are unfamiliar with data backup technologies, you can consult a local IT provider or IT company to understand your needs better and plug this gap in your cybersecurity strategy.
3. Overburdened IT Employees
Many a time, in-house IT teams are small. As a result, staff can become overwhelmed with increasing workload. Apart from focusing on core IT initiatives, they are also expected to look after cumbersome and time-consuming tasks such as network monitoring and upgrading software. This can leave them feeling overburdened.
Most progressive organizations address this issue with the help of outsourced IT support or an MSP, who takes over the responsibility of performing routine and repetitive tasks. This frees up your in-house team’s time and effort, which can be redirected towards more strategic activities. MSPs also come up with and implement new initiatives that can enhance your business operations.
Also, MSPs assign their IT specialists to businesses, which is why companies feel assured that their IT security is in reliable hands. They know that whether the tasks are minor or complex, they will be handled well and in time. As such, an MSP can become a great ally for your in-house IT team.
4. The Cloud Conundrum
Almost all modern businesses harness cloud capabilities to streamline their business processes and organize their data. Cloud applications usually exist on a server that may be located onsite or offsite (from your office). Users typically access this server via the internet. Managing the cloud, however, is easier said than done, especially for small businesses with limited IT staff and resources.
Fortunately, there is a solution. Growing businesses rely on a reputed IT provider of cloud services to leverage cloud capabilities. Simply put, cloud services help you meet your business’s IT needs without having to spend on expanding your physical IT infrastructure. You only need to pay only for the services you use without having to worry about cloud security and maintenance.
5. Hardware and Software Problems
Many businesses tend to overestimate the lifespan of the technology they use. For example, more often than not, it is assumed that a computer will continue to work for four-to-five years. While this is a reasonable assumption, it is highly likely that your computer will need repairs within this timeframe.
Sometimes, repairs may cost more than buying a new system. Further, working with outdated or obsolete hardware and software can lead to lowered business efficiency, less productive staff, disappointed customers, increased downtime, and lost opportunities.
To avoid these problems, businesses can phase out equipment at proper life cycles, and standardize their hardware and software components. You may also consult an experienced IT company to better manage your hardware and software.
Conclusion
Given the times we live in, it is necessary to be a step ahead of tech problems to avoid them from arising and/or causing significant damage. Hopefully, this post will help business owners comprehend the relationship between their operations and their IT systems. The better you understand current and potential IT issues, the more prepared you will be to face them seamlessly.
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