The end of the year can be hectic for any business. Teams are closing projects, preparing budgets, taking time off, and planning for the year ahead. IT issues can quickly add to the pressure if they are left until the last minute.
A little planning can help your business close out the year without an unnecessary IT fire drill.
1. Review Open IT Issues
Start by looking at unresolved IT tickets, recurring technical problems, and maintenance tasks. Decide what needs to be completed before year-end and what can safely move into the new year.
Don’t let small issues become urgent problems during a holiday period.
2. Check Employee Access
Review accounts for employees who have left, changed roles, or no longer need access to certain systems. Remove unnecessary permissions and make sure new employees have the appropriate access they need.
3. Verify Your Backups
Before employees take time off, confirm that critical systems and data are being backed up properly. More importantly, verify that backups can actually be restored.
A backup that has never been tested is not a complete recovery plan.
4. Apply Important Updates
Review outstanding security patches and software updates. Address critical updates before the year ends rather than carrying unnecessary vulnerabilities into the new year.
5. Review Licenses and Subscriptions
Check your software and cloud subscriptions. Remove services that are no longer being used and make sure important licenses will not unexpectedly expire during a holiday period.
This can also help identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary IT spending.
6. Prepare for Employee Time Off
Make sure employees know who to contact if they experience an IT or security issue while the business is operating with reduced staffing.
Your IT team or provider should also know which systems are considered critical and who should be contacted if an emergency occurs.
7. Document What Matters
Update important IT documentation, including vendor contacts, system information, backup procedures, security processes, and emergency contacts.
Good documentation makes it easier to resolve problems quickly when the usual point of contact is unavailable.
Plan Now, Relax Later
A smooth year-end IT closeout does not require a major project. It requires reviewing the basics, addressing known problems, and planning for predictable changes.
I.T. For Less is a managed IT service provider that helps businesses proactively manage their technology, security, and IT operations. From ongoing maintenance and monitoring to cybersecurity and IT planning, I.T. For Less helps businesses reduce unexpected IT problems and start the new year with a reliable technology environment.