June 09, 2025
If you only talk to your IT provider when it's time to renew your contract, you're missing the point. Technology is not something you can just set up and forget. It's always changing, and the risks that come with it evolve too. That's why having quarterly IT check-ins is 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 promises, just clear answers that keep your business running smoothly.
1. Are There Any Vulnerabilities We Need To Address Right Now?
This isn't about ticking boxes. You need to know:
- Is our antivirus current?
- Are there any unpatched systems?
- Have there been any near misses or warning signs recently?
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 really need them. Ask:
- When was the last time a full restore was tested?
- Are we using the best backup strategy—off-site, cloud, or hybrid?
- Are we backing up the right data?
- Is everything stored securely?
Many businesses assume they're backed up until they find out they're not.
3. Are All Employees Following Security Best Practices?
One wrong click from an employee can take down your entire network. Ask:
- Have there been any unusual logins or risky activity?
- Do we need another round of phishing training?
- Is multifactor authentication being used?
Bonus points if your IT provider mentions this without you asking—that means they're paying attention.
4. How Has Our Network Performance Been? Anything Slowing Us Down?
Slow systems mean slow teams and lost productivity (and money). Ask:
- Are there recurring performance problems?
- Are we outgrowing our current hardware or software?
- Can anything be optimized to speed things up?
Small improvements can have a big impact.
5. Are We Still Compliant With [HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR, etc.]?
Regulations and data protection rules change regularly. Ask:
- Are we meeting industry standards?
- Have any requirements changed recently?
- Do we need to update policies, software, or training?
Noncompliance fines are costly, so stay ahead.
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 keep evolving. Ask:
- Are there new tools or best practices we're missing?
- Are we behind on any security protocols or performance standards?
- What are other businesses our size doing that we're not?
- Are there emerging threats we need to watch out for?
Falling behind 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 if they don't offer to meet with you quarterly—you might not be getting the support you need. Technology moves fast. Cyber threats move faster. You need someone who doesn't just fix problems when they happen but works to prevent them.
We offer free Security Assessments to help business owners like you get a clear picture of your tech setup—what's working, what's not, and how to fix issues before they become problems.
Click here or call us at 281-402-2620 to book your 15-Minute Discovery Call
