Working Toward a Stronger IT Infrastructure.
READ: 5 IT Issues You Should Let the Experts Handle [Updated]
1. Cybersecurity and Data Protection Concerns
If you’re experiencing cybersecurity or data privacy challenges, you’re dealing with more than just a minor inconvenience—you’re exposing your business to serious risks.
Financial Risk
Delaying cybersecurity upgrades increases your chances of financial damage. This can happen through direct losses like ransomware attacks or scams, or indirect costs like forensic investigations and soaring cyber insurance premiums.
Reputation at Stake
Take the 2023 Oakland ransomware incident, for example. Public trust took a hit when sensitive data like Social Security numbers were compromised. Now picture your business in the same situation—having to explain to customers or partners that their private data was leaked. The fallout isn’t just operational—it’s personal and reputational.
Downtime Losses
The cost of being offline varies, but any downtime resulting from a breach means lost productivity and possibly lost customers. Every minute your business is down, you’re missing opportunities and revenue.
Legal and Compliance Issues
If your organization falls under regulations like HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or CMMC 2.0, any gaps in your cybersecurity posture could lead to fines or legal action. Noncompliance is not something you want to discover after a breach.
How to Fix It:
Start by conducting a comprehensive cybersecurity assessment. Follow up with best practices like enforcing strong passwords, using multi-factor authentication (MFA), keeping systems updated, and training your staff on security awareness. You should also consider investing in cyber insurance to help cushion the financial impact of potential threats.
2. Limited or Inadequate IT Support
It’s possible to get by with a small IT team at first. But as your business grows—more customers, more employees—the cracks in that setup start to show.
Without sufficient IT support, issues like recurring internet outages, data access delays, or system crashes can severely disrupt daily operations. Your staff ends up trying to solve tech problems instead of focusing on their core tasks, which impacts productivity.
How to Fix It:
You have two main options: hire more internal IT professionals or partner with a managed IT service provider. Hiring in-house provides direct access but takes time and resources. On the other hand, outsourcing your IT can offer scalable support, but the quality depends heavily on who you work with.
READ: Onsite vs. Offsite Technicians: Which Is Right for Your Business?
3. Not Enough Budget for IT Maintenance and Upgrades
Technology doesn’t last forever. Eventually, you’ll need to replace outdated systems or fix broken equipment. But many businesses don’t prepare for these expenses until it’s too late.
It’s understandable—expenses like payroll, taxes, and supplies often take priority. But failing to invest in IT can lead to larger problems later, such as non-compliance with new laws or exposure to vulnerabilities. Or maybe your devices will simply slow to a crawl, making work inefficient.
How to Fix It:
Identify high-impact areas for investment that deliver the most value. Look into flexible payment options like equipment leasing or business loans to fund essential upgrades. Leveraging cloud platforms or working with a managed service provider can also reduce upfront spending and help you scale IT solutions with your business needs.
4. Disconnected or Outdated Systems
Using systems that don’t “talk” to each other leads to duplicated work, miscommunication, and overall inefficiency. When data is stuck in silos and teams have to manually transfer information, productivity suffers.
How to Fix It:
Audit your current software and platforms to identify integration issues. Transitioning to unified solutions like enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems can centralize operations and boost efficiency. Also, using APIs (application programming interfaces) can allow your current tools to better connect and exchange data.
5. Outdated or Unsuitable Technology for Your Team
Your employees need reliable tools to do their jobs effectively. Outdated or ill-fitting technology can hinder performance, lower morale, and cause frustration—especially when it prevents them from meeting goals.
How to Fix It:
Regularly assess your team’s tech needs and provide tools that align with their roles. This includes updating hardware and software, and ensuring reliable access to necessary platforms. Offer training opportunities to help staff make the most of the tools they use and keep up with changing technologies.