When you sit down with new prospects, you rarely talk about data security. The client is usually focused on the problem they have that has made them come to you in the first place, while you are likely focused on closing in on bringing critical revenue into your business. That doesn’t mean that data security isn’t an extremely big issue, it just that without business, it is a non-issue.
Computer hardware doesn’t last forever. Sooner or later, you’ll need to replace your equipment, or risk operations slowing to a crawl due to outdated equipment still in use. Do you have a timetable for replacing your equipment? Do you have a procedure in place to properly dispose of your old hardware? Every organization needs to think through the end-of-life and the afterlife of their computer hardware.
Plan Ahead to Replace Your Technology
Technology is no different than every other aspect of business in that it pays to have a plan. We call this an IT roadmap, which is a plan detailing what equipment needs to be replaced and at what time. A typical IT roadmap takes into account your company’s technology needs over the next one, five, or even ten years. The advantage to having an IT roadmap is that it’s easy to come up with an IT budget so you can set aside money for the equipment you need, instead of running your equipment into the ground and having to replace it when you least expect to.
Alternatively, you could put off replacing your old technology for as long as possible. Although, doing this won’t save you money like you might think it would. Instead, the cost of having to make constant repairs, losing productivity due to downtime, and missing out on the performance-enhancing solutions of the latest technologies, will all eat into your budget and set your company back.
Be Sure to Wipe Your Old Hard Drives
If you’re completely done with an old hard drive, then you’ll want to be sure to wipe all of the data on the drive before disposing of it. Getting a hard drive wiped by a professional is your safest option, which is something Infradapt can handle for you. Also, it’s important to remember that simply deleting your files won’t cut it, seeing as your old files will still be able to be recovered.
Properly Dispose of Your Devices
A way to properly dispose of your old technology needs to be included in your plan. Electronic equipment is made up of components containing toxic chemicals that can leak into the environment. Therefore, you’ll want to properly handle and recycle your e-waste, a task which Infradapt is specially equipped to do. Additionally, be warned that if you simply throw your e-waste in the trash, you’ll never know what will become of it. For example, your old hard drives could end up in the hands of hackers--which can lead to identity theft if the drive isn’t properly wiped.
When it’s time to think about new technology, you’ll find that having a plan and a schedule to replace and refresh your company’s technology will keep operations running smoothly and make these expenses more predictable. Infradapt can assist you in coming up with an IT roadmap that prepares your business for all of your upcoming technology expenses for years to come, as well as properly disposing of your old equipment. To get your very own IT roadmap customized to meet your company’s needs, call us today at 800.394.2301.
It makes no difference how your business’s administrative chain of command is set up. Everyone should have a basic understanding of how your IT works, as well as its related responsibilities and functions. Here are four easy ways that you can educate yourself (and your staff) on how your IT department works, be it internal or outsourced.
“The call is coming from inside the house!” This memorable quote is from the 1979 horror classic When a Stranger Calls. In the movie, this chilling information is presented to a woman after she has her call traced to locate the whereabouts of a stranger who was harassing her. To be sure, this would be a scary situation for anybody to experience; it would almost be as frightening as a network security breach--originating from inside your IT department!
You expect your IT department to be your best defense for safeguarding your network from threats, but, according to a report by Intermedia and Precision Sample, IT technicians are often the worst offenders at ignoring network security best practices. The study found that 32 percent of IT staff respondents admitted to giving away their login credentials, which is at a likelihood of 10 percent more than the average non-IT worker.
Why is this? Richard Walters, Intermedia VP of Identity and Access Management, likens this risk to a lackadaisical attitude toward network security:
It’s nearly always that technical people are the worst offenders. They know how to get around various controls that an IT team will put in place. It’s sometimes done with the best intent, but nevertheless with a complete lack of consideration for the risk or security implications.
That’s not all. Here are three more findings from the study that a business owner should be concerned about.
Now, we’re not saying that you should look upon your in-house IT staff with suspicion. More likely than not, you’ve hired your IT staff because you feel like you can trust them, and if you’ve not fired them, then they’re probably doing something right. Although, this study shows that you can never be too careful when it comes to your network security.
Infradapt can help by providing your IT network with additional security oversight. With our remote monitoring service, we can spot any inconsistencies with logins, spot threats (both internal and external), and do much more to help secure your data. Our technicians are well versed in IT best practices, and whether you utilize in-house IT staff or you’re looking to have Infradapt completely handle all of your IT needs, the fact that the oversight we offer is professionally outsourced adds a helpful dynamic to your network security that you can feel confident about.
To learn more about how we can assist you with your company’s IT security needs, give us a call at 800.394.2301. We’ll take the time to get to know your IT needs. This way, partnering with us will be nothing like getting calls from a stranger!
In order to perform their jobs to the best of their ability, your staff need to access mission-critical data in a moment’s notice. One of the best ways you can help your employees work their best is to ensure that any information they need to do their jobs is immediately available. Do you make this a priority, or deal with this issue as the problems arise?