June 09, 2025
If you only talk to your IT provider when it's time to renew your contract, you're missing the point.
Technology isn't something you set up once and forget about. It's always changing, and so are the risks that come with it. That's why having quarterly IT check-ins is essential if you want to keep your business safe, efficient, and competitive.
The problem is, most business owners don't know what questions to ask.
So here's a cheat sheet. These are the questions your IT provider should be ready to answer every quarter—no jargon, no vague answers, just straightforward information that helps your business run smoothly.
1. Are There Any Vulnerabilities We Need To Address Right Now?
This goes beyond ticking boxes. You need to understand:
- Is our antivirus software current?
- Are any systems unpatched?
- 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 time a full restore was tested?
- Are we using the right backup strategy (off-site, cloud, hybrid)?
- Are we backing up the right data?
- Is everything backed up and 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 activity?
- Do we need another round of phishing training?
- Are employees using multifactor authentication?
Bonus points if your IT provider brings this up before you do—that means they're paying attention.
4. How Has Our Network Performance Been? Anything Slowing Us Down?
Slow systems mean slow teams and lost productivity. Ask:
- Are there recurring performance issues?
- Are we outgrowing our hardware or software?
- Can anything be optimized to speed things up?
Even small improvements can make a big difference.
5. Are We Still Compliant?
Regulations and data protection rules change constantly. Ask:
- Are we meeting industry standards?
- Have any requirements changed?
- Do we need to update policies, software, or training?
Noncompliance fines are costly. Staying ahead is critical.
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 need to plan for?
This helps you avoid surprise costs and budget effectively.
7. What Trends In IT Or Cybersecurity Are We Behind On That Are Making Us Slower Or More Vulnerable?
Technology and cyber threats never stand still. Ask:
- Are there new tools or best practices we haven't adopted yet?
- Are we falling behind in security protocols or performance benchmarks?
- What are other businesses our size doing that we're not?
- Are there emerging threats we should be cautious about?
Falling behind on trends doesn't just slow you down; it leaves you exposed. A great IT partner keeps you ahead, not catching 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 to meet with you quarterly—you might not be getting the support your business needs.
Technology evolves fast. Cyber threats evolve faster.
You need someone who's not just fixing problems after they happen but actively working to prevent them.
We offer a FREE 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 859-245-0582 to book your Discovery Call today!
