Technology plays a major role in the daily operations of just about every modern business, but the rapid evolution of technology means it can quickly become outdated, or worse, vulnerable to cyberthreats and system failure. An IT audit offers an in-depth review of your technology, uncovering issues and improvement opportunities that can save time, money, and stress down the road.
A year is a good interval to review your technology in, and the end of the year is a natural time to do it while you wrap up and prepare for the new year. Here’s why a year-end IT audit is an essential practice to ensure your business stays competitive.
Stronger cybersecurity and reduced risk
One of the most important parts of your annual IT audit is a comprehensive inspection of your cybersecurity posture. It reviews the tools you’re using and your employee practices, identifying what’s out of date and what vulnerabilities may put your business at risk.
With an audit, you’ll gain insights into whether your security software is up to date, if your employees are trained on the latest cyberthreats, and if there are possible avenues of attack in your systems that cybercriminals could exploit. An audit is also a good opportunity to check your compliance policies and review whether your current practices are meeting industry standards.
Improved efficiency and reduced downtime
An efficient IT system is a productive IT system. Over time, software and hardware can become outdated, resulting in slow systems, frequent errors, and disruptions to your workflows. An IT audit identifies areas where upgrades, repairs, or process changes could streamline your technology and increase productivity across your team.
Efficiency isn’t a destination so much as it is a journey, so you’ll need a map. A yearly IT audit is your way of finding out what course corrections your organization needs to improve efficiency and prevent outdated technology or processes from holding you back.
Reducing IT costs
Without regular assessments, you could easily overlook unnecessary expenses, such as underutilized software licenses, cloud storage that exceeds your needs, or costly repairs that could have been avoided with preventive measures. By consistently retooling your IT budget and finding areas to trim the fat, you can achieve cost savings that can be reinvested in other critical areas of your business.
When performing an annual IT audit, be sure to:
- Check in with users to poll which software products they are making use of and which ones aren’t vital to your workflows and can be removed or replaced.
- Review any large IT expenditures, such as repair services, and evaluate if preventative measures could have been more cost-effective.
- Research or make contact with IT vendors to determine if you are using the most cost-effective versions of your hardware and software. The latest solutions may provide better value.
Better scalability for more stable growth
As your business grows or evolves, your IT needs will naturally change. An annual IT audit gives you a clear picture of your current system’s capabilities and highlights areas that may need expansion to capitalize on future growth.
Whether it’s handling an increasing amount of data, implementing new software, or supporting more users, an IT audit provides the insights you need to avoid IT bottlenecks that stifle your business’s growth. The audit can also identify technology that’s nearing its end of life. Planning for upgrades before they’re urgently needed ensures a smooth transition and minimizes disruptions for your team.
A thorough IT audit that provides valuable, actionable information requires IT professionals who know what to look for and where to find it. It’s likely not cost-effective for you to keep someone with this expertise on salary, but you don’t have to.
Partner with XBASE, and our seasoned IT consultants will meticulously audit your IT infrastructure and systems to ensure you have the information you need to make the best decisions for your business in the new year.