As July wraps up, it’s a great time to reflect on the latest IT trends, lessons, and action items for businesses in Illinois. Here’s a comprehensive roundup of what you should be thinking about as we head into the second half of the year.
1. Reaffirm Your Security Posture
With ransomware still on the rise and phishing attacks growing more sophisticated, now is the time to audit your cybersecurity defenses. Ensure your systems have MFA, encryption, secure backups, and staff who are trained to recognize threats.
2. Embrace 24/7 Monitoring
This summer reminded many businesses of the value of constant monitoring. As staff take vacations or hybrid work remains in play, continuous network oversight helps prevent outages, security incidents, and performance dips.
3. Consider a Cloud Cost Audit
If your business is on a virtual platform, check your usage. Are you overpaying for underused resources? July is an ideal month to do a mid-year audit and right-size your infrastructure.
4. Evaluate Business Continuity Plans
If a disaster happened tomorrow, how would your team respond? Review and test your business continuity and disaster recovery plans. Ensure they’re up to date, accessible, and actionable.
5. Review Your IT Budget
Start forecasting for Q4. Are you on track with your IT spending? Do you have budget for needed upgrades, security tools, or cloud expansion? Proactive planning now prevents end-of-year panic.
6. Train Your Team
July is a perfect time for mid-year employee training. Cover new tools, cybersecurity awareness, remote access policies, and data handling practices. A well-informed team is your strongest defense.
7. Revisit Vendor Relationships
Are your current IT vendors meeting expectations? Are contracts up for renewal? Review SLAs, costs, and performance to ensure you’re getting value.
As we move into August and beyond, staying informed and proactive will be the key to keeping your business secure, efficient, and ahead of the curve.
If you are interested in learning more, schedule a call today.