In our last blog, we discussed two of the five important technology issues that every business owner should consider (hardware/software and cybersecurity). In this post, we cover the other three, namely, IT training, Data Backup and Recovery, and BYOD (bring your own device) checklists.
IT Training Checklist
Everyone in your office needs some training on the technology that is in place. An IT training checklist serves as a good process document for any new staff or for any staff working on new hardware or software. Following the IT training checklist can help cut down the learning curve. And it ensures the hardware/software is leveraged in the best possible way, thus making your staff more efficient. Here’s what your IT training checklist can offer.
- What rules and regulations regarding software and hardware use do you need to establish? Does everyone have access to all software, data, etc.?
- Do you and your employees have links to user manuals/instruction videos for the software and hardware in use?
- Who is the contact person within your organization who handles initial troubleshooting? If their efforts are unsuccessful, what are the next steps?
- Do you offer training on your company’s hardware and software?
- Are you and your employees receiving training on cybersecurity, including spotting malware, phishing, etc.
- What steps will you take if there’s a perceived cybersecurity breach?
Data Backup and Recovery Checklist
There are a number of factors that can affect the accessibility and quality of your data. Data backup and recovery is key to ensuring your data is not lost and that your business can continue as quickly as possible. Read more about the urgency of business continuity in this blog. Your data backup and recovery checklist should cover:
- What are the different data sets that need to be backed up?
- How often do each of those data sets need to be backed up?
- Where (location/device) will the data backup occur?
- How will the data backup happen?
- Who will be responsible for the data backup?
- What is your process if you have a data breach?
- How long can your business afford to be down?
- How quickly can your business recover its data if it has been breached?
BYOD policy checklist
In the current business environment where companies allow their employees to use their own devices for work purposes, a BYOD checklist is a must. Alternately, if you allow employees to take their work devices home, you should create a similar checklist. This checklist should answer questions such as:
- Who is allowed to bring their devices to work (employees of some departments that deal with sensitive data like, the HR/accounts may not be allowed to do so)?
- What kind of devices are allowed/approved? For example, you can specify a version below which a certain operating system may not be allowed, as it may be outdated, exposing your entire network to any security threat that it may be vulnerable to.
- Who is responsible for ensuring the security patches and anti-malware protection is up-to-date?
Having these checklists/policy documents do not ensure your IT infrastructure is always safe and secure, or never suffers a downtime. These checklists merely help in cutting down instances of security breaches or downtime and go a long way in helping you respond positively to any technology crisis that may befall your business. What we have discussed here is just the proverbial “tip of the iceberg.” Your checklists have to be comprehensive, in-depth and cover every angle with a clearly defined action plan for any IT contingency. Contact Rent-A-Nerd, Inc. for our assistance so that you ensure you leave no loose ends. 504-301-1094
