June 08, 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 a "set it and forget it" part of your business. It's always changing, and so are the threats that come with it. That's why quarterly IT check-ins are essential to keep your business protected, productive, 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 able to answer clearly every quarter — no technical jargon, no vague promises, just straightforward answers that help keep your business running smoothly.
1. Are There Any Vulnerabilities We Need To Address Right Now?
This goes beyond ticking boxes. You need to find out:
- Is our antivirus software up to date?
- Are there any systems that haven't been patched?
- Have there been any near misses or warning signs lately?
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 test was done?
- Are we using the right backup strategy (off-site, cloud, hybrid)?
- Are we backing up the right data?
- Is everything being backed up securely and stored properly?
Many businesses assume they're backed up… until it's too late.
3. Are All Employees Following Security Best Practices?
It only takes one mistake by a team member to compromise the whole network. Ask:
- Have there been any unusual logins or suspicious behavior?
- Do we need another round of phishing awareness training?
- Are employees using multifactor authentication?
If your IT provider brings this up before you do, that's a good sign they're paying attention.
4. How Has Our Network Performance Been? Anything Slowing Us Down?
Slow systems mean slow teams and lost productivity (which equals lost money). Ask:
- Are there any recurring performance issues?
- Are we outgrowing our current hardware or software?
- Is there anything we can optimize to speed things up?
Small changes here can have a big impact.
5. Are We Still Compliant With [HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR, etc.]?
Regulations change frequently, as do the rules for how you store and protect data. Ask:
- Are we meeting the current standards for our industry?
- Have any compliance requirements changed?
- Do we need to update policies, software, or training?
Fines for noncompliance can be very costly, so it's best to stay ahead.
6. What Should We Be Budgeting For Next Quarter?
Good IT is proactive, not reactive. Ask:
- Are any software licenses about to expire?
- Is any equipment nearing the end of its useful life?
- Are there any upcoming projects that require planning?
This helps you avoid unexpected expenses and plan effectively.
7. What Trends In IT Or Cybersecurity Are We Behind On That Are Making Us Slower Or More Vulnerable?
Technology and cybercriminal tactics constantly evolve. Ask your IT provider:
- Are there new tools or best practices we're not using yet?
- Are we falling behind in any security protocols or performance standards?
- What are other businesses our size doing that we aren't?
- Are there any emerging threats we should be aware of?
Falling behind exposes you to risk and inefficiency. A great IT partner helps you stay ahead, not just catch 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 offer to meet quarterly — you might not be getting the support your business needs. Technology moves fast, and cyber threats move even faster. You need someone who doesn't just fix problems as they happen but works proactively to prevent them.
We offer FREE Security Assessments to help business owners like you get a clear picture of their technology setup — what's working, what's not, and how to fix issues before they become problems.
Click here or call us at 1300 765 014 to book your 15-Minute Discovery Call
