Is The Business Technology-Strategic or Technology-Dependent?

Peace of mind in the IT arena isn’t a new subject, but corporate understanding of its presence (or lack thereof) reaches an exciting-time high. Not really a day passes without visiting a headline somewhere associated with stolen data, hacked company computers or leaked personal data. When Sony’s Playstation® Network got hacked, there have been estimates reported around $24 billion in losses. There were security breaches at Citigroup or Lockheed Martin. These were both juggernauts of industry with hardened defenses but were victims of stolen sensitive information. It seems nobody is safe, but does obscurity or anonymity still become qualified as protection for the small organization?

A couple of days ago I had been relaxing in a boardroom discussion with a few partners in a smaller sized private CPA firm and also the subject of the network security emerged. Actually, both of these gentlemen were built with a fundamental knowledge of technology since many business proprietors do, but tend to not wrap their heads around why it had been essential to buy and use a firewall. A firewall! Probably the most fundamental of network security devices and here’ was attempting to justify this type of fundamental, yet mandatory, investment to the business, significantly less an economic firm.

It had been a confirmation of the truth that’s common regardless of size the organization. That the fact is simple – most business proprietors have a hard time appreciating or valuing technology unless of course they’ve experienced some form of discomfort associated with technology. That discomfort might be lost data, bad support, frustrating software… etc. Whenever I talk with prospects, among the questions I ask at first is “Are you currently ‘technology dependent’ or ‘technology strategic’?” This sets a dark tone for which direction we advise.

Technology Dependent – This really is most typical among small, private firms. Your company may depend in your computers and systems, yet your decisions regarding technology are usually reactive and price is generally the greatest factor on whether you proceed. The natural trouble with technology-dependent firms may be the unseen insufficient efficiency and super high-risk factors. Some time and productivity are generally overlooked as assets to the organization. Here are a few factors common in technology dependent firms:

a. Computers are older (4 years of age) and often are beige or off-white-colored (an indication of age).

b. Couple of important positive jobs are being performed, for example testing backups, patches and risk assessments.

c. There’s no guidance regarding how to leverage technology to lead to profits or elevated productivity.

d. The organization continues to be having to pay anyone to fix things once they break per hour.

e. There’s virtually no network security.

Technology Proper – A company which has seen the real reason for technology and it has enabled itself to complete more is proper. “Much more of what?” you might ask. It may be more productivity, more efficiency, more revenue and/or even more contented staff. Businesses that Sometimes with this are “technology proper” appreciate what technology can perform on their behalf and aren’t resistant against change. Here are a few factors that comprise a technology proper firm:

a. Computers are maintained (enhanced, neat and typically under three years old).

b. Network operations and security has been positively monitored.

c. Security policies have established yourself in hardware and software.

d. An IT budget exists and it is fixed.

e. The IT option would be a normal subject inside your business planning conferences.

If you wish to have development in your firm, confidence inside your IT security, and also the best roi, you have to find methods to start relocating to the proper side from the spectrum. It won’t happen overnight however the process must occur or risk falling behind your competitors.