As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to ensure your IT systems are running smoothly and are ready to support your business goals in the new year. Here’s a comprehensive checklist to help your small business tackle end-of-year IT maintenance effectively:
1. Review Your IT Infrastructure
Take stock of your current IT setup. This includes hardware, software, and network systems. Check for outdated or underperforming equipment that may need to be replaced or upgraded.
Tip: Create a detailed inventory of your hardware and software licenses to ensure compliance and plan for future upgrades.
2. Test Your Data Backups
Your backup system is your safety net in case of data loss. Ensure it’s functioning correctly by conducting a test restore of your most critical files.
Ask Yourself: Are backups happening on schedule? Are they stored securely, both locally and in the cloud?
3. Strengthen Cybersecurity Measures
With cyber threats evolving, it's critical to keep your security systems up to date.
Update firewalls, antivirus software, and security patches.
Review and revise access permissions to ensure only authorized personnel have access to sensitive data.
Schedule a cybersecurity audit to identify vulnerabilities.
4. Perform a Network Health Check
Slow networks can bottleneck your operations. Run a network health assessment to detect issues like bandwidth bottlenecks or unauthorized devices.
Pro Tip: Use this opportunity to evaluate if your current network setup supports your future needs, especially if you’re planning for growth.
5. Evaluate IT Support Contracts
Review contracts with your IT vendors or managed service provider (MSP) to ensure you’re getting the value and support you need.
Are your current contracts aligned with your business goals?
Would co-managed IT services make sense for your internal team?
6. Clean Up User Accounts and Permissions
Employees leave, roles change, and accounts pile up. Conduct an audit of all user accounts in your systems.
Disable accounts for former employees.
Ensure active accounts have the right level of access—no more, no less.
7. Ensure Compliance with Industry Standards
Regulations like HIPAA, NIST 800, or CMMC evolve frequently. Review your compliance status and address any gaps to avoid penalties.
Tip: Work with an MSP that specializes in compliance to stay ahead of the curve.
8. Plan for Upcoming IT Needs
The end of the year is the ideal time to set your IT budget and goals for the next year.
Identify major IT projects for the upcoming year, such as cloud migration, hardware upgrades, or implementing new software.
Allocate budget for training employees in new technologies.
How Encompass IT Can Help
At Encompass IT, we specialize in taking the stress out of IT management so you can focus on growing your business. Our comprehensive end-of-year IT health check ensures your systems are secure, efficient, and ready for the challenges of the new year.
Let’s get your IT systems in shape for 2025! Contact us today for a consultation.
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