Is your business making common IT mistakes? How to avoid

Are you concerned that your business is making some IT mistakes that could easily be avoid if improvements were made or guidance offered? Check out our helpful list of common IT mistakes below.

1. Outsourcing the wrong IT functions

Now, outsourcing your IT strategy can be beneficial when done right. It’s when businesses take the wrong approach that mistakes arise. Outsourcing your strategy becomes an IT mistake when it falls under either of these two categories. The first is when companies outsource important IT functions to avoid hard work, or due to a lack of understanding. By relinquishing these functions, it can complicate matters rather than simplify.

The second mistake is businesses keep IT functions in-house when they could be more effectively managed via outsourcing to a managed service provider.

2. Ignoring internal IT security threats

When thinking about IT security, it’s easy for IT managers to become consumed with preventing external cyber security threats such as malware, social engineering, MitM, DoS and more. That’s when internal security threats can be ignored, and they really mustn’t.

Keep in mind that not all insider security threats are born of malicious intent, some may be due to internal operator error. That’s why businesses need to remain vigilant, ensuring that steps are taken to address internal IT security.

3. Failing to secure platforms and systems

With the increasing nature of remote working combined with working from public Wi-Fi or broadband at home, a business’s IT systems must be secure to operate on these networks without incurring threats from intruders. Strengthen your infrastructure with robust cyber security.

4. Neglecting to secure mobiles and other handheld devices

The changing modern world means that employees are working from a variety of handheld devices including mobiles. These need to be treated as any normal piece of work IT equipment and have the proper security installed and regularly maintained.

5. Allowing engineers or developers to carry out their own quality assessment

For companies that have a software development team, it’s best practice to also have a quality team that carries out bug testing and an assessment. When a dev project has been completed and prior to launch, its integral that a second pair of eyes run through the programme to ensuring its working correctly. Don’t cut corners and try to speed up the process by letting engineers carry out the QA themselves.

6. Allowing weak passwords

One of the top business vulnerabilities is weak authentication or bad passwords that are easily guessed. This, coupled with, employees writing down their passwords in a notebook or on post-it notes and attaching them to their desk. To counter this IT mistake, provide a clear and consistently enforced password policy. You can also make use of password manager tools and educating employees on how to create solid, unique and strong passwords.

7. Clinging to IT solutions that ‘have always worked before’

Another common IT mistake that IT managers or small business owners make is holding onto IT solutions and approaches that have always worked. Depending on the environment, something new may be required. Sometimes trying to implement old solutions in a new IT environment won’t work or can prove costly. Change the approach, and use only the right technology for the job.

8. Failing to update technology and keeping outdated systems, software/ hardware or processes

Outdated and old software or equipment poses a huge security risk to businesses. Whilst its tempting to hit that ‘remind me later’ notification when you’re prompted to update and restart your computer, doing so can cause issues. Updates are important as they contain security patches for new cyber threats.

9. Not training staff

No matter whether you’ve chosen to outsource your IT to a managed IT service provider, you still need to ensure that employees are trained in IT and business cyber security. Poor training leaves you more susceptible to threats, attacks and potential disasters.

Your team don’t need to be IT experts, but they do need to understand the systems you use.

10. Being afraid of ‘the cloud’

The cloud sounds like an abstract, fluffy term (no pun intended). But there’s no reason to be afraid of embracing cloud technology. It won’t mean that your business data is up for the taking from hackers. Instead, using the cloud and a network of remote servers rather than a local network, opens up an entire world of opportunities, from data storage, computing power, security and other valuable resources.

11. Not developing an IT security strategy

Updating systems regularly, amongst many other things, should be included as part of your IT security strategy. Anyone and any type of business, no matter the size, is at risk of cyber threats and attack if the proper steps aren’t taken to protect your systems. Formulate a robust cyber security strategy to avoid falling victim to a cyber-attack.

12. Trying to do it all yourself

Not everyone is an expert in everything. And that’s ok, sometimes it's good to seek the help of an IT professional who knows exactly what to do. By implementing a dedicated IT team or using a managed IT service provider, they can handle your IT plans, strategy, manage your infrastructure and systems, and take care of any updates or security threats. Putting your mind at ease.

There are many other IT mistakes that businesses often commit, such as using too many IT tools; not aligning an IT plan with the overall business goals; forgetting to back up their data and more.

We’re a managed IT service provider with offices in London, Milton Keynes and across the globe in the USA and Ireland. Our IT services cover a range of support for all sized businesses, including 24/7 IT support, IT strategy, cyber security and crisis response, IT infrastructure management and cloud solutions.

If you’re interested in enquiring about any of our service, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via our online contact form, or by giving us a ring on 0845 257 8010. We can’t wait to hear from you.