What Technology Do I Need To Grow My Business?
Written by Alex Locatelli, Chief Technology Officer
What once may have sufficed for a small operation can quickly become inadequate as you scale your business. Often, businesses may not be fully aware of their evolving IT requirements or the potential vulnerabilities in their systems. It’s a gap in understanding, but can lead to overlooked risks or under-utilised resources once your client requirements begin to ramp up.
Here is a handy checklist of what you can either assess yourself, or ask a professional to assess for you when scaling your business.
Six key elements to reviewing your IT-readiness for business growth
- What hardware & software is currently being used? >
- What credit cards are associated with business subscriptions? >
- How secure is your network? >
- Evaluate your firewall / perimeter device security >
- Scaling your data access and password policies >
- Review your document management process >
We discussed each of these individually below. If in doubt, contact us FOR A FREE AUDIT.
1. Assess What Hardware and Software You Have & Are Using
Many businesses are unaware of the full extent of their hardware and software assets, often lacking a comprehensive inventory or understanding of what they currently possess and how it impacts their operations.
Professional Managed IT Support companies have a range of audit tools to identify what you have, and whether it’s being used.
2. What credit cards are associated with subscriptions?
In a rush, or in a fix, we can sometimes add our personal credit cards to business software and applications or subscriptions. Effective security and financial oversight involves knowing and managing all software expenses through centralised business accounts to ensure proper budgeting and accountability.
3. Is your network secure?
The bigger the business, the bigger the challenge in a period of downtime. Securing the network is a fundamental aspect of scaling your business, as it protects sensitive data and ensures reliable operations amidst growing demands and increasing complexity.
4. Evaluate your firewall / perimeter device security
Assessing your firewall or perimeter devices is vital when scaling a business because these security measures serve as the first line of defense against external threats and unauthorised access. As your business expands, the volume of network traffic and the complexity of your IT infrastructure increases, potentially exposing new vulnerabilities. Regularly evaluating and updating your firewall and perimeter devices ensures they can handle the growing demands and protect against evolving cyber threats.
5. Scaling your data access and password policies
As a company grows, the number of users, systems, and data access points increases, making it essential to implement robust password policies and access controls. Effective management ensures that employees have appropriate access to the resources they need while protecting against unauthorized access and potential security breaches. By regularly updating passwords, using multi-factor authentication, and employing role-based access controls, businesses can mitigate the risks associated with data theft and insider threats.
This not only enhances security but also supports compliance with regulatory requirements, ultimately fostering a more secure and scalable business environment.
6. Review your document management and access
Document management and security are critical components of scaling a business because they ensure that valuable information is organized, accessible, and protected as the organization grows.
Efficient document management systems streamline workflows by facilitating easy retrieval and sharing of information, which is essential for maintaining productivity and collaboration across expanding teams. At the same time, robust security measures protect sensitive data from unauthorized access, breaches, and loss, safeguarding the company’s intellectual property and customer information. As a business scales, implementing scalable document management solutions and enforcing strong security protocols help mitigate risks, ensure regulatory compliance, and support seamless operations, ultimately contributing to a secure and efficient growth trajectory.
Know What You Need To Know, Or Hire a Pro…
It’s crucial to regularly assess and upgrade your IT support and security measures to ensure they align with your current scale and future growth. Proactively addressing these aspects helps safeguard your business from emerging threats and ensures that you are making the most of your technological investments.
