June 09, 2025
If you only talk to your IT provider when it's time to renew your contract, you're missing the mark.
Technology isn't something you can just set up and forget. It's always changing, and so are the risks that come with it. That's why quarterly IT check-ins are essential if you want your business to stay secure, efficient, and competitive.
The problem is, most business owners don't know what questions to ask.
So here's a cheat sheet. These are the questions your IT provider should be ready to answer every quarter—no jargon, no vague answers, just clear information that helps keep your business running smoothly.
1. Are There Any Vulnerabilities We Need To Address Right Now?
This goes beyond ticking boxes. You need to know:
- Is our antivirus up to date?
- Are there any systems that haven't been patched?
- Have we had any recent near misses or warning signs?
You're not being paranoid—you're being prepared.
2. What's The Status Of Our Backups? And Have You Tested Them Lately?
Backups are like seat belts—you don't think about them until you need them badly. Ask:
- When was the last time you did a full restore test?
- Are we using the best backup strategy—off-site, cloud, or hybrid?
- Are we backing up the right data?
- Is everything backed up and stored securely?
You'd be surprised how many businesses think they're backed up until they find out they're not.
3. Are All Employees Following Security Best Practices?
It takes just one employee clicking the wrong link to compromise the entire network. Ask:
- Have there been any unusual logins or risky behaviors?
- Do we need another round of phishing training?
- Are employees using multifactor authentication?
Bonus points if your IT provider brings this up before you do—that means they're paying attention.
4. How Has Our Network Performance Been? Anything Slowing Us Down?
Slow systems lead to slow teams and lost productivity (and money). Ask:
- Are there recurring performance problems?
- Are we outgrowing our current hardware or software?
- Is there anything we can optimize to improve speed?
Even small adjustments can have a big impact.
5. Are We Still Compliant?
Regulations change, and so do the rules about protecting data. Ask:
- Are we meeting the current standards for our industry?
- Have any requirements changed recently?
- Do we need to update policies, software, or training?
Noncompliance fines can be costly. Staying ahead is crucial.
6. What Should We Be Budgeting For Next Quarter?
Good IT is proactive. Ask:
- Are any software licenses about to expire?
- Is any equipment nearing the end of its life?
- Are there upcoming projects we should plan for?
This helps avoid surprise expenses and keeps your budget on track.
7. What Trends In IT Or Cybersecurity Are We Behind On That Are Making Us Slower Or More Vulnerable?
Technology and cyber threats never stand still. Ask your IT provider:
- Are there new tools or best practices we haven't adopted yet?
- Are we falling behind in any security protocols or performance standards?
- What are similar businesses doing that we're not?
- Are there emerging threats we need to watch out for?
Falling behind on trends doesn't just slow you down—it leaves you exposed. A great IT partner keeps you ahead, not catching up.
You Aren't Having These Conversations? Red Flag
If your IT provider can't give clear answers to these questions—or worse, if they don't even offer to meet quarterly—you might not be getting the support your business needs.
Technology moves fast. Cyber threats move faster.
You need someone who doesn't just fix problems after they happen but actively works to prevent them in the first place.
We offer a FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call to help business
owners like you get a clear view of their tech setup - what's working, what's
not and how to fix it before it turns into a problem.
Click here or give us a call at 316-867-4566 to book your 15-Minute Discovery Call today!
