Nearly every business uses computers these days. Using computers in your business can greatly increase your productivity. However, there are also many risks associated with using computers if they aren’t set up correctly and properly protected. Often the most effective way for a smaller business to protect their systems is to have a specialist setup and troubleshoot their issues. But how much support do you really need?
Workstation Support
The first thing you need is support for the computers themselves. You need to make sure that you have an up-to-date system and antivirus software installed to protect yourself from malware. Do you still have systems running Windows XP? Windows stopped proving security updates for XP earlier this year, which means every PC running XP is at risk of important data being hacked into and stolen. It’s time to upgrade those machines to Windows 7 or 8. Having a functioning computer with an operating system that is secure is crucial, especially if you store highly sensitive information.
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Networking Support
A computer network consists of the wires and devices that link all of your computers together (learn more on our blog). There are many right ways and many wrong ways to set it up. To avoid any inefficiency in your staff’s workflow or any security deficiencies, it’s best to have a professional technician map out the proper network setup for your buiness.
In addition to setting up and configuring your network, it is necessary to secure your network. Without the proper security in place, anyone will be able to access your sensitive data. A secure network will include a firewall solution and an antivirus solutionat the very least.
Server Support
Any company that uses a network is going to need at least one server as well. Servers can perform many functions for your company such as data storage, domain controller, and application hosting, and they can be scaled to fit your particular needs. In order to be efficient, servers must be properly maintained and properly secured.
Email Support
Basic email services can be simple to set up. Anyone can create an @hotmail.com or @gmail.com email account. However those accounts can come off as unprofessional to potential clients. It’s always worth it to invest in email addresses at your own domain (i.e. [email protected]).
As you’ve probably noticed in this article, security is of the utmost importance to us. Fraudulent emails are one of the most common ways for hackers to spread malware to your computer. A professional spam filter can cut down on unwanted advertisements and dangerous emails. Our Hosted Exchange and spam filtering services will help you get started with setting up your secure email system.
Conclusion
The amount of support your company needs depends on a variety of factors and your specific needs. A lot of people make the mistake of attempting to manage all of their company’s IT needs. We’ve outlined only 4 technology needs for small businesses; there is a lot more that needs to be taken care of. Additionally, technology is constantly changing and best practices are constantly changing. Just as you are an expert in your industry, we are experts in IT. Let us help you and your staff work together and strive through the best IT solutions available.
