As the digital landscape continues to evolve, businesses across Norfolk and East Anglia are faced with a range of confusing IT challenges that could impact productivity, security, and day-to-day running. From evolving cybersecurity threats to outdated hardware, navigating these obstacles can take a lot of time away from running the core business. In this blog, we’ll explore these IT challenges and offer actionable solutions, so you know where to start.
1. Cybersecurity Threats:
As cyberattacks continue to rise and criminals create new, more complicated ways to steal data, businesses in Norfolk are increasingly vulnerable to data breaches, ransomware attacks, and other cybersecurity threats. These attacks could damage your reputation, have a significant cost, and put your and your customer’s data at risk.
Solutions:
- Invest in robust cybersecurity measures, including hardware firewalls, antivirus software (such as Endpoint Detection and Response) and disk encryption. These will add layers of security to your system, helping to keep your data secure.
- Regularly update systems and make sure you aren’t using any software that is end of life. When software or hardware becomes end of life, that means that it will no longer get vital security updates to protect it from the latest threats.
- Conduct security audits to identify and address vulnerabilities. If you’re not sure where to start – ECS are here to help. Give us a call at 01553 69272 or visit our contact page to get in touch and see how we can help.
- Setup your IT systems to best practises. This includes making sure your network devices aren’t using generic passwords and your network can’t be accessed by outside sources.
2. IT Security Awareness and Training:
Employees can be the weakest link in cybersecurity defences, as they can easily fall victim to phishing attempts or other forms of social engineering.
Solution:
- Provide comprehensive IT security awareness training to all employees, educating them about common cybersecurity threats and best practices for mitigating risks.
- Conduct regular phishing simulations to test employees’ awareness and reinforce training.
- Introduce a robust password policy and encourage your employees to use multi-factor authentication wherever possible – especially on critical accounts.
- Enforce the principle of least privilege.
- What is the principle of least privilege? This is a practice where a user is given the lowest level of access that is needed to perform their job. This means that only those who need access to sensitive information and vital systems for their role, reduce the risk.
- The fewer people that have access to sensitive information, the fewer avenues a hacker has to access that information.
3. Legacy IT Infrastructure:
- Many businesses use outdated and end-of-life IT infrastructure, including legacy systems and software that put their security and productivity at risk.
Solution:
- As previously mentioned, when software or hardware becomes end of life, that means that it will no longer get vital security updates to protect it from the latest threats. Making sure that all hardware and software in use can still get updates is vital and replacing these devices should be a priority.
- Consider migrating to a cloud-based solution, such as Microsoft SharePoint, for improved scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency. These are also automatically updated by Microsoft, so you will always be up to date.
- Partner with IT experts such as ECS to ensure a smooth transition to new equipment and minimal downtime. ECS can also advise and help you prioritise and strategise the best way to replace legacy equipment.
4. Limited IT Resources and Expertise:
Smaller businesses often lack the internal IT resources and expertise to effectively manage complex technology environments and address IT challenges. Not only that but dealing with IT issues may take employees away from their daily job role, affecting productivity.
Solution:
- Consider outsourcing IT support to reputable managed service providers (MSPs), such as ECS, who can provide expertise and support tailored to your business needs.
- MSPs can offer proactive monitoring, troubleshooting, and strategic IT guidance, allowing you to focus on core business activities. They also are far more cost-effective than hiring an IT engineer in-house.
5. Connectivity and Network Issues:
Having a reliable internet connection and network is now essential for all businesses, of any size. Internet downtime or network issues can put work at a complete halt.
Solution:
- Work with reliable internet service providers (ISPs) to ensure fast and stable internet connectivity. If there are repeat internet issues, a backup 4G or 5G router may be something to keep on hand to keep things functioning until the broadband becomes stable.
- Keep network equipment up to date and patched to prevent downtime caused by hardware issues.
6. Scalability and Flexibility:
As businesses grow and evolve, their IT infrastructure needs to adapt to those demands.
Solution:
- Consider utilising cloud computing technologies. These are services that charge you for what you use, offering scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency. This also means you will avoid a large upfront cost on equipment you may not make full use of right away (such as a new server).
- Cloud-based solutions allow businesses to scale resources up or down as needed, enabling growth and innovation.
7. Budget Constraints:
Many Norfolk businesses face budget constraints when it comes to investing in IT infrastructure and resources.
Solution:
- Develop a strategic IT budget that prioritises the most important changes.
- Working with an MSP, such as ECS, will be able to best advise where is most vital to invest.
- Focus on cost-effective solutions that deliver maximum value and ROI.
Navigating the IT challenges faced by businesses in Norfolk and East Anglia requires a proactive and strategic approach. By investing in cybersecurity measures, modernising technology infrastructure, outsourcing IT support, and prioritising employee training, businesses can overcome these challenges and thrive in the digital age. With the right strategies and partnerships in place, your business will be able to make IT work for them.