June 09, 2025
If you're only communicating with your IT provider when it's time to renew your contract, you're missing the mark.
Technology is not a "set it and forget it" aspect of your business. It constantly changes, and so do the threats associated with it. That's why quarterly IT check-ins are essential if you want your business to remain protected, productive, and competitive.
However, most business owners don't know what questions to ask.
So today, here's a cheat sheet. These are the questions your IT provider should be prepared to answer every quarter—no technical jargon, no vague promises, just clear answers that help keep your business running smoothly.
1. Are There Any Vulnerabilities We Need To Address Right Now?
This goes beyond ticking boxes. You need to find out:
- Is our antivirus software current?
- Are there any systems that haven't been patched?
- Have there been any recent near misses or warning signs?
You're not being paranoid; you're being proactive.
2. What's The Status Of Our Backups? And Have You Tested Them Lately?
Backups are like seat belts—you don't think about them until you need them badly. Ask:
- When was the last time a full restore was tested?
- Are we using the right backup strategy—off-site, cloud, or hybrid?
- Are we backing up all the necessary data?
- Is everything being stored securely?
Many businesses believe they're backed up until they discover they are not.
3. Are All Employees Following Security Best Practices?
It only takes one person clicking the wrong link to compromise the entire network. Ask:
- Have there been any unusual logins or risky activities?
- Do we need another round of phishing awareness training?
- Are employees using multifactor authentication?
If your IT provider brings this up before you do, it's a good sign they're paying attention.
4. How Has Our Network Performance Been? Anything Slowing Us Down?
Slow systems mean slow teams, which leads to lost productivity and money. Ask:
- Are there recurring performance problems?
- Are we outgrowing our current hardware or software?
- Can anything be optimized to improve speed?
Even minor adjustments can have a significant impact.
5. Are We Still Compliant?
Regulations and rules about data storage and protection change frequently. Ask:
- Are we meeting industry standards?
- Have any compliance requirements changed recently?
- Do we need to update policies, software, or training?
Noncompliance fines can be costly. Staying ahead is crucial.
6. What Should We Be Budgeting For Next Quarter?
Effective IT is proactive. Ask:
- Are any software licenses about to expire?
- Is any equipment nearing the end of its useful life?
- Are there upcoming projects we should plan for?
This helps you avoid surprise expenses and budget wisely.
7. What Trends In IT Or Cybersecurity Are We Behind On That Are Making Us Slower Or More Vulnerable?
Technology and cyber threats evolve constantly. Ask your IT provider:
- Are there new tools or best practices we haven't adopted yet?
- Are we falling behind in any security protocols or performance standards?
- What are other businesses our size doing that we're not?
- Are there emerging threats we should be more cautious about?
Falling behind on trends doesn't just slow you down; it exposes you. A good IT partner keeps you ahead, not playing catch-up.
You AREN'T Having These Conversations? Red Flag
If your IT provider can't give clear answers to these questions—or worse, doesn't offer quarterly meetings—you might not be getting the support you need.
Technology moves fast. Cyber threats move faster.
You need someone who doesn't just react when something breaks but actively works to prevent problems before they happen.
We offer a FREE Consult to help business
owners like you get a clear view of their tech setup - what's working, what's
not and how to fix it before it turns into a problem.
Click here or give us a call at 833-863-2120 to book your Consult today!
