June 09, 2025
If you're only contacting 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's always changing, and so are the risks involved. That's why quarterly IT check-ins are essential to keep your business secure, efficient, and competitive.
The problem is, most business owners don't know what questions to ask.
So here's a simple guide. These are the questions your IT provider should be ready to answer every quarter—no jargon, no vague promises, just clear answers that help your business run smoothly.
1. Are There Any Vulnerabilities We Need To Address Right Now?
This goes beyond ticking boxes. You need to know:
- Is our antivirus current?
- Are there any unpatched systems?
- Have there been any recent near misses or warning signs?
You're not being paranoid; you're being prepared.
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 really need them. Ask:
- When was the last full restore test?
- Are we using the right backup approach? Off-site, cloud, or hybrid?
- Are we backing up everything important?
- Is the backup data stored securely?
Many businesses believe they're backed up until they find out they're not.
3. Are All Employees Following Security Best Practices?
One wrong click can compromise your entire network. Ask:
- Have there been any unusual logins or risky behavior?
- Do we need another round of phishing training?
- Are employees using multifactor authentication?
Bonus points if your IT provider raises these issues before you ask—that shows they're vigilant.
4. How Has Our Network Performance Been? Anything Slowing Us Down?
Slow systems mean slow teams and lost productivity (and money). Ask:
- Are there recurring performance problems?
- Are we outgrowing our current hardware or software?
- Is there anything we can optimize to improve speed?
Even small adjustments can have a big impact.
5. Are We Still Compliant?
Regulations evolve, and so do data protection requirements. Ask:
- Are we meeting industry standards?
- Have any compliance rules changed?
- 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?
Good IT planning is proactive. Ask:
- Are any software licenses about to expire?
- Is any equipment nearing the end of its life?
- Are there upcoming projects we should prepare for?
This helps you avoid surprise costs and plan effectively.
7. What Trends In IT Or Cybersecurity Are We Behind On That Are Making Us Slower Or More Vulnerable?
Technology and cyber threats don't stand still. Ask:
- Are there new tools or best practices we're missing?
- Are we lagging in security protocols or performance standards?
- What are similar businesses doing that we're not?
- Are there emerging threats we need to watch out for?
Falling behind on trends doesn't just slow you down; it exposes you to risk. A good IT partner keeps you ahead, not catching up.
You Aren't Having These Conversations? Red Flag
If your IT provider can't clearly answer 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 fix problems after they happen but works proactively to prevent them.
We offer FREE 10-Minute Discovery Call 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 323-410-7785 to book your 10-Minute Discovery Call today!
