When Was Your IT Systems Last Health Check?

It is crucial to take a step back often and look at the business operations more closely. Recently, business operations have started to rely heavily upon an efficient way of navigating through limited resources and workforce. 77% of companies have experienced at least one cyber-related incident in the last two years. An IT system health check identifies processes and procedures that are working well for you and the ones that might need improvement. It ensures that the internal systems and processes are operating at their maximum potential and that time and resources are being utilized in the best possible manner. 

What is an IT System Health Check?

An IT system health check is conducted by a subject matter expert (SME) who analyzes the functioning of the organization’s existing systems and processes. The primary objective of the health check is to identify which stage of its life cycle is the IT system in. This makes it easier to determine the gaps that need bridging through upgrades or changes. 

After COVID-19, several organizations implemented new software and hardware as workspaces shifted online. This created an IT environment due for a check-up to ensure that the infrastructure is up-to-date to implement new technologies efficiently and safely. The health check also identifies if any hardware issues such as outdated cabling may lead to a potential safety hazard or create dormancy.

Further, a system health check grades the organization’s current system’s performance, data quality, and components for licensing. The check-up consists mainly of the following system zones:

1. Customizations in system
2. System environment
3. Database integrity and quality
4. Balance in the current environment

When Does Your IT System Need a Health Check?

Before you identify the IT environment for check-up, it is important to understand when an organization needs one. 

• When the business operations have moved further, but the IT systems remain as they were. If the system was configured to the business a while ago and has not been upgraded since then, it is most likely a good time to conduct a comprehensive health check since the business requirements must have changed.

• When an organization wants to revise its internal processes. A system health check and internal processes rely heavily upon each other to improve overall business operations. The way an organization works does not stay the same forever. It needs a health check to ensure that the system is being utilized to its utmost potential.

• When an organization wants to increase its overall efficiency. Creating an efficient work environment means reducing costs, increasing productivity, and improving customer experience. This can be achieved through regular system health checks.

What Should Your IT System Health Check Cover?

The end-to-end process of conducting an IT system health check is complex. It is crucial to understand what should be covered under it.

1. Understanding IT Systems

Businesses experience smoother operations when IT systems are well-maintained. It leads to improved customer experience and better productivity. Neglected IT systems, however, lead to frequent downtimes, financial losses, and data breaches. An IT system checklist must include the following:

• Updating protocols by establishing a step-by-step approach to check and apply updates for the entire software system and security patches.
• Optimizing systems by cleaning and sorting system files and removing unused files and applications to improve performance.

2. Hardware Inspection 

Maintaining the overall integrity and security of the organization’s IT infrastructure can be done by ensuring that hardware is in a top-notch condition. Hardware failures can result in data loss and costly downtime. It also causes minimized computing performance, unexpected breakdowns, and potentially costly replacements. Hardware inspection must include the following:

• A physical inspection such as looking for signs of damage, wear and tear of external devices (routers, servers, computers, etc.), and overheating.
• Run tests to evaluate the efficiency and performance of all hardware components.
• Identify if any of the existing hardware components have to be upgraded to meet the present or future business objectives.
• Assess maintenance logs to schedule regular servicing and resolve recurring issues, if any.
• Check that the hardware is operating in a suitable environment that is clean and safe with a regulated temperature.

3. Software Inspection 

Software health checks ensure functionality, efficiency, and security. Outdated software often results in compatibility issues, reduced productivity, and security vulnerabilities. Dismissing a proper software inspection can lead to cyber threats and hinder smooth business operations.

• Ensure that all software is up-to-date, including security patches, and licensed properly.
• Verify that all software, including applications and operating systems, are aligned with the latest security patches. This can also be done via an automated tool.
• Conduct regular tests and checks to ensure compatibility. It is crucial to eliminate integration differences between software systems and applications.
• Assess if all software applications are being utilized to their full potential and are aligned with the present business objectives.

4. Cybersecurity Assessment

The risks threatening the continuity of an organization’s business operations are never-ending. They keep on evolving and growing complicated. These risks usually include cyberattacks, natural disasters, and data breaches. Organizations can strengthen their security infrastructure by conducting a robust cybersecurity assessment that includes:

• Update all anti-malware, anti-virus, and firewall to their latest versions.
• Identify potential security gaps by running vulnerability scans frequently.
• Verify the security settings in the network, such as VPN usage, firewall rules, and wi-fi configurations.
• Encrypt sensitive data, both in transit and at rest.
• Conduct compliance audits to ensure that cybersecurity practices comply with relevant rules, regulations, and laws.

5. Employee Skills

The knowledge and performance of IT employees directly impact the effectiveness of an organization’s IT systems, including cybersecurity.

• Organize training sessions on IT skills, cybersecurity awareness, and best practices.
• Conduct drills on phishing to improve employees’ vigilance against potential cyber threats and attacks.
• Evaluate how effectively employees communicate internally and with external parties such as vendors and clients.
• Raise awareness about security policies, compliance checklists, and IT-related mandates amongst employees. 

Benefits of Regular IT System Health Checks

A robust and regular IT system health check enables you to maximize output by improving the efficiency of the overall system. The following are the benefits of health checks:

• Organizations get an unbiased, thorough, and independent review of their system’s status and overall performance. This eliminates security risks that can arise in the future, enhances system performance, and improves data quality.
• Receive actionable advice to reduce potential security threats and risks that affect day-to-day business operations. Equip users with insights and tips into the current infrastructure to support and drive business goals.
• Increase the effectiveness of technology with heavy investments through regular system health checks. Benchmark the IT environment for the latest licenses, standards, and compliance checks.
• System health checks, when scheduled at regular intervals help organizations identify and understand their data quality. They are crucial not only to make business operations more organized but also to introduce cost efficiency. 

Conclusion

An IT system health check ensures that the organization is able to safeguard itself against security threats, improve operational efficiency, and promote better data quality and integrity. A proactive approach toward conducting regular system health checks prevents potential threats and risks and improves the organization’s overall performance and productivity.

Keep Your IT System Safe & Secure with Imagine IT

Ensuring the safety and security of your IT systems is more crucial than ever. With cyber threats quickly evolving, it’s essential to regularly assess and strengthen your digital infrastructure. Imagine IT offers comprehensive IT solution services to keep your IT systems secure and efficient, providing peace of mind that your business is protected against potential breaches. 

Our expert team conducts thorough health checks, identifying vulnerabilities and implementing robust security measures tailored to your specific business requirements. Don’t wait for a security incident to act. Contact Imagine IT today to schedule your IT system’s health check.