When was the last time you took a good look at your IT Infrastructure? How old is some of your hardware and/or solutions? What is it costing you? Many people have an, “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it” attitude when it comes to their IT related systems and services. This is a great…until something does break. Just like your car, your IT systems need regular maintenance performed to keep them running at their peak performance. For desktops, it can be as simple as keeping your AV and Windows security patches up-to-date. But what about your servers, software, network equipment, and even your battery backup systems?
Many people don’t know how out-of-date their network equipment is. Most Router, Switch and Firewall manufactures release at minimum of 3+ updates to their operating systems a year. On top of that, many don’t know how to update those devices, and are not aware of what performance issues they may be experiencing without those updates. For example, you may be paying for a large internet connection from your local provider, but because you have a performance draining, out-of-date switch or routing equipment, you’re not getting the performance you’re paying for.
And, what about security? We know that Microsoft releases security updates for your workstation every month, and it’s usually not just one or two. Your network equipment is no different. Vendors are constantly releasing patches and updates to their operating systems and software to secure their equipment from newly found threats. This includes your wireless infrastructure. Let’s face it, wireless has been the “go to” for years now. With more laptop users, more iPads, mobile phones and even wireless TV displays, most businesses have Wi-Fi implemented and fully utilized. And, after the initial setup, most companies never touch these systems again. This “set it and forget it” mentality results in no security patching or updates to fix speed draining or software bugs. Your systems are both slow and unsecure from potential hackers looking to steal your data, or worse your customer’s data.
Even companies with an internal IT staff have systems that have not been reviewed in some time. This is usually because they spend most of their time on daily emergencies, or working on the next big project rollout. We know from talking with many of our clients how easy it is to get pulled away to other priorities. At CHR Solutions, managing systems is our only priority. We have certified and experienced IT staff with decades of support, design and security experience. If you’re looking to understand where your IT systems are today, we can do a full review and provide a comprehensive solution on how to ensure your systems are up-to-date and secure.
