It’s Time to Spring Clean Your Business IT!

It’s Time to Spring Clean Your Business IT!

Spring is here, and we’re all feeling fresh and re-energised. It’s a great chance to declutter your business IT, invest in upgrades and get your business ready for the challenges and exciting new opportunities that lie ahead. Here’s how from our business IT team in Melbourne.

#1 – Get Rid of Outdated, Unused Tech

Old IT tech has a way of sticking around, from unused apps on your computer, to old printers and PCs in your storage rooms. Start by cataloguing and evaluating every piece of IT in your office and deciding what stays and what goes. We recommend upgrading from old legacy systems that no longer have support (especially as they are a huge security risk), recycling old tech where possible, and donating unused tech after properly wiping it of all your data.

#2 – Clean What You Keep

Over the last 18 months or so, we’ve all become a lot more aware of hygiene practices, germs and preventing illness, we still need to extend that awareness to our hardware. Research has found that the average computer keyboard has 400 more times more bacteria than the average toilet seat. It’s not surprising when you think about it because toilet seats are cleaned regularly, while keyboards aren’t. Many people eat and drink at their computers, laugh at silly YouTube videos, and even occasionally have a sneeze. We’re only human after all. While laptops, PCs, shared office hardware, and smartphones should be cleaned carefully and professionally every week or so, spring is the perfect time to start.

#3 – Perform a Security Audit

Your business isn’t the same as it was a year ago. You probably have new team members, new applications you’re using, new tech, and even remote working systems. It’s a good time to do a full IT security audit to make sure that any vulnerabilities in your tech ecosystem are discovered and strengthened for your peace of mind. While it’s good to have an IT security team perform this audit and give recommendations, you can do basic IT security spring cleaning yourself, like changing out all passwords, running through your IT security policy with your employees, and implementing additional security measures like BYOD (bring your own device) policies, multifactor authentication, and installing a VPN and password management system.

#4 – Check Your Data Backup

Your data backup and recovery system should be evaluated to make sure that the right data is being backed up, that it’s being backed up frequently enough, and that it’s suited for your current and future business plans. Remember, the problem with worst-case scenarios is that they do happen. An electrical fire, a malfunctioning sprinkler system, a theft, or a cyberattack are all realistic scenarios for any business. Your backup and recovery system is your safety net, allowing you to get back up and running with minimal data loss and downtime.

At Otto, we are committed to always doing better, discovering the best tech, and developing innovative solutions that deliver a competitive edge. Chat to our managed IT solutions team today to find out more about how we can help your business succeed and grow through IT.