With the year coming to a close in just a few short months, there's a checklist of items to complete so your business enters the new year on the right foot. Now is the time to check for problems, address them before they grow, and prepare for the future so operations run smoothly.[
Before work gets hectic with deadlines, growing customer demands, and filled calendars, here's a list of to-do items to keep your business on track.
Review, Update, and Backup
Take a look at the technology and software that your business is currently using and determine what you need to renew, get rid of, and upgrade. You may still be paying for software that your business no longer uses, there may be upgrades that you have not taken advantage of, or hardware approaching the end of its warranty.
Review Your Accounts
A lot can change from January to December, including employees leaving, interns going back to school, roles changing, people retiring, switching service providers, and so much more. Right now is the perfect time to review how these changes may have affected company operations and make the necessary changes before the end-of-year rush. Here are some important things to look for:
- Accounts belonging to former employees that may still be active
- Accounts with unclear ownership
- Employees who have permissions that are no longer suited for their role
- Applications that don't yet have multi-factor authentication (MFA) enabled
- Employees who are missing access to cloud systems and data they need
Update Software and Backup Systems
Technology expenses often feel like they sneak up on you at the worst possible time, so before business gets hectic, review your technology now. There are so many little things that go into running a business, and if one of those items gets lost in the shuffle, it can disrupt the entire company and delay operations. Here are some things to review so your business enters the new year right:
- Install available updates on current software
- Renew expiring services and software
- Update licensing
- Backup your business's data
- Replace hardware that is approaching end of life
- Identify technology to include in next year's budget
Make Sure Your Business Is Properly Protected
Protecting your business's security is one of the most important things you can do. If your company is compromised by hackers or viruses, the damage could be serious for your business and its future. Steps like strengthening cybersecurity and proper employee training can save your business from serious problems.
Cybersecurity
Security gaps can range from something small, like a device missing a minor update, to a full-blown data breach. Ideally, all those gaps are closed so your business's data isn't at risk. The best way to get there is to routinely review your cybersecurity, so your business stays as secure as possible.
Before the year is over, confirm that all your company's devices and accounts have the latest security patches installed. Catching a small security gap now can save you from having a larger security incident in the future.
Employee Training
Employees are some of the biggest targets when it comes to cyberattacks. Attackers target your employees through emails, direct messages, phone calls, and social media. These phishing scams are made to look like routine invoices, invitations from colleagues, and everyday PDFs or links.
If attackers trick an employee and get into your company's database, the whole business could be at serious risk. That data can include not only the business's private information but also customer account numbers and employee personal data. The best way to fight against these hackers is to ensure your employees are properly trained to spot these scams and report anything suspicious.
Creating a Protection Plan
This checklist can seem like a lot, especially if you are running it alone. Luckily, Technical Resource Solutions is here to help. Whether you're dealing with technology hardware, software updates, viruses, or employee cyberattack training, Technical Resource Solutions is here to guide you through it all.