Year-End IT Checklist: Simple Steps to Keep Your Business Running Smoothly

Preparing for the end of one year and the start of another can be a hectic time in any business. You have a lot of items to mark off your year-end checklist, but some companies may underestimate the importance of one in particular — reviewing IT infrastructure.

Checking your IT setup, pinpointing issues, and identifying ways to improve it can help you prepare for the future. But what do you need to do to keep things running smoothly now and at the beginning of the new year? In this post, we’ll look at five steps to keep in mind.

Review Your Security Setup

A comprehensive security setup is essential for safeguarding your business against threats. As the year is ending and another hopefully prosperous one lies ahead, take the time to assess your security for improvement opportunities.

Any vulnerabilities, however minor, could create an opening for bad actors to slip through into your network. Common cyber threats include:

• Ransomware

• Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks

• Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks

• Phishing scams

• SQL injections

Some types of attacks are more common than others. For example, the number of Canadian businesses affected by ransomware increased from 11% to 13% between 2021 and 2023.

Perpetrators may steal sensitive data during ransomware attacks, creating a data breach that causes problems even after a ransom is paid or the situation is resolved in another way. And the average cost to organizations per data breach is $6.32 million, according to an IBM report.

The potential cost of dealing with ransomware or any other form of cyber attack is just one reason why it’s so important to check your security at the end of the year. Updating your systems will help you step into the new year, knowing that your business is better protected against bad actors.

Ensure All Critical Data is Backed Up

Creating backups prevents you from losing critical data due to:

• Human error

• Cyber attacks

• Property damage (e.g. fire, flood, natural disasters)

• Power outages

• Hardware failures

However, if your data is only backed up occasionally or, worse, rarely, that could create a risk of serious disruption. You could lose essential information relating to finances, clients, products or services provided, and anything else that you need to know. Backing up data also facilitates business continuity and recovery in the event of a crisis.

The simplest way to back data up is to automate the process. That leaves you free to focus on working without the repetitive task of moving files to a secure location day after day.

As the year nears its end, confirm that all of your data is backed up and that you set up an automatic system to streamline the process. All the data you need for the new year will be stored securely and ready for you to access after the holidays.

Confirm that Automated Processes are Ready to Go

On the subject of automation, there are other automated processes beyond backing up data. You can take advantage of software to automate everything from processing invoices to customer support (e.g. chatbots). These solutions can provide you with more time to concentrate on critical tasks that genuinely require human input.

Any automated processes that you currently have set up should be checked before the year-end, especially if your office will be closed for a week or two. Verify that they’re configured properly and running smoothly.

At the same time, consider whether you can seize any new automation opportunities for the coming year. You could discover exciting ways to boost your productivity and efficiency like never before.

Have a Clear Remote Working Policy in Place (Just in Case), as a part of the IT Checklist

Hopefully, you and your team will be able to enjoy a full break over the holidays without needing to do unexpected work. But what if employees realize they have an urgent task they need to take care of while they’re away from the office?

If so, they may be able to log into the relevant cloud-based application from home and get to work. However, make sure you have a strict policy in place for remote working.

A remote working policy may cover:

• Requiring employees to keep work-related software updated (to benefit from the latest security features and key functionality)

• Potentially asking them to use a virtual private network (VPN) to reinforce data security (if necessary, provide them with an account and instructions)

• Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) to tighten security

• Providing clear steps on what to do in an emergency while working remotely

By establishing a remote working policy or reviewing your existing one, you can reduce the risk of employees compromising the safety of your business, clients, and data outside the office.

Check in with Your MSP

Working with a managed services provider (MSP) is an increasingly common choice among businesses in different industries. An MSP with a specialist team can make setting up and maintaining a robust IT infrastructure easier than ever. You simply leave it in their hands and they’ll provide everything your team needs to work at its best.

If you’re currently partnered with an MSP, you may want to get in touch with them towards the end of the year. Let them know when your office will be closed, raise any concerns you may have, and discuss any adjustments you might want to make in the new year.

For example, maybe you’d like to expand your current package to include extra services or downsize it. Whatever the case, checking in with your MSP can reassure you that your business’s IT infrastructure is in the best hands.

And if you’re looking for an MSP, now may be the time to give it a try. NETWORTH offers managed IT services to businesses across the Greater Toronto and Southern Ontario area. These include:

• Network and server support

• Computer network installation

• Computer repair and maintenance

• Information and cybersecurity services

• Remote and on-site support

We also provide all managed services clients with a guaranteed 30-minute response time for your peace of mind. Ready to learn more about how we can help you with a bespoke package of managed services? Contact NETWORTH today!