6 Common IT Problems You Shouldn’t Have to Deal With
Posted on Friday, December 1, 2023 and filed under Articles
It’s not unusual to face technology issues in business. Most businesses face minor tech glitches that are easy to solve from time-to-time. However, you shouldn’t sit back and accept it if your company faces frequent IT problems.
| “Rushing into digital transformation often reveals unexpected kinks in the system. That doesn’t mean your transformation was a bad idea. It just means that you need to take a moment to make a few adjustments.” – Jim Stackhouse, Founder & Chief Technologist, NeoLore Networks |
Staying on top of technical issues and planning for the future affects more than your own frustration levels. A simple power outage can cause hours of downtime that can put your deliverables far behind schedule. Taking proactive steps to avoid such a situation can do wonders for your business, now and in the future.
Plus, 70% of companies report seeing a direct connection between better customer service and better system performance.
To save yourself a lot of headaches and improve your customers’ experience, stop putting up with these 6 common IT problems in business. Let’s take a look at what they are and what you can do to prevent or resolve them.
1. Unscheduled Network Downtime
Unexpected system failures can halt business operations, cause revenue loss, and reduce customer trust. To prevent this situation, implement proactive monitoring that alerts you to potential issues before they become critical.
You should also schedule regular network maintenance and updates during off-peak hours to minimize disruptions. An up-to-date system is less prone to failures, and performing these tasks off-hours ensures that maintenance work doesn’t disrupt daily operations.
2. Slow System Performance
Overburdened or outdated systems can slow down operations. Regularly review your IT infrastructure and consider upgrades to keep pace with technological advances when necessary.
Of course, slow performance isn’t always an indicator that you need an entirely new system. It may simply mean that you need to clean up files, update your software, or get more storage. Slow performance could also be a sign of misuse. For that reason, teaching your team how to use the system better could help.
3. Limited Access to Data
Ensuring your team can access data without compromising security can be challenging if you allow for remote work. Try implementing secure cloud-based solutions that provide controlled data access to employees, regardless of their location.
Also, consider virtual private networks (VPNs), multi-factor authentication, and encrypted connections to protect data in transit. This ensures that employees can work flexibly and productively while you still maintain control over data confidentiality.
| Learn More About How You Can Enhance Your Business IT |
4. Outdated Security Measures
Cyber threats evolve constantly, and outdated security measures leave businesses vulnerable. That’s why you need to regularly upgrade your security protocols and educate employees on best practices. It’s also important to conduct regular security audits and keep all systems updated with the latest security patches.
Here are some of the most common security vulnerabilities that could leave you open to cyber attacks.
| Vulnerability | Potential Consequences | Proactive Actions |
| Phishing Attacks | Unauthorized access to sensitive data. | Implement advanced email filtering technology and conduct regular employee training on identifying such scams. |
| Malware | Systems disruption and data theft. | Deploy up-to-date anti-malware solutions and establish a protocol for regular security audits. |
| Software Vulnerabilities | Exploitation by attackers leading to data breaches. | Enforce a strict policy for regular updates and patches to all software applications. |
| Unsecured Access Points | Unchecked entry into the network. | Install modern network security tools to monitor and control access points. |
| Insider Threats | Internal misuse of data leading to data loss or sabotage. | Employ user behaviour analytics to detect and prevent unauthorized or risky internal activities. |
5. Obsolete Hardware
Aging hardware is more prone to failures and is often less compatible with new software. Furthermore, legacy hardware is simply more expensive to maintain. For instance, the US government’s 10 oldest systems cost $337 million a year to operate and maintain.
Create a hardware lifecycle plan and budget for regular updates and replacements as needed to avoid this issue.
6. Inadequate Data Storage
Running out of storage space can cause system crashes and data loss. If your system runs out of storage space, it may stop working properly and you could lose important information. This situation also makes it difficult to access files and run applications efficiently.
Regularly evaluate your storage needs and invest in scalable solutions like cloud storage services, which can grow with your business.This proactive approach can help you avoid the costs and downtime associated with emergency data migrations and system upgrades.
Still Need Help Solving Your Toughest Problems With IT?
While these 6 issues are easy enough to solve, we understand that it’s not always feasible for busy small businesses. You might have a lot on your plate just running your company, leaving little to no time to actually solve your most pressing IT issues.
If that sounds familiar, you can count on NeoLore Networks to solve IT for you. Our expert Ottawa-based team is more than happy to take a look at your system and solve your toughest challenges. Additionally, we can also take a look to see how you can enhance your system in ways you may not have even expected.
Reach out to NeoLore today to discover more about how we can help you.