How to Support a Business Strategy with Technology

Scott Starost • January 3, 2017

There’s no denying it. We are living in the digital age, and just about every aspect of our daily lives depends on our ability to appropriately incorporate and use technology. Technology also plays many important roles in your business, from increasing customer experience to creating new business models. Here’s what you need to know about using technology to its fullest to truly drive your business strategy forward.

Don’t Just Look at the Long-Term Business Model

Once upon a time, creating a technology strategy took quite a bit of time and focused mostly on the long-term technology needs of the business. A company would consider what they would need over the next three to five years. Then, figure out what they had to do to get there. Things have changed in today’s digital world. Technology changes so quickly that it’s become almost impossible to determine what you’ll need in three to five years, because technology may be completely different by then. It is now more important and effective to consider which technology your company can benefit from right now.

Planning for Shorter-Term Goals

The length of time that your business strategy should cover depends a lot on the technology you have available to you right now. Look at your current vision and strategy, and figure out what you want and where you hope to go. Then, create a new vision that describes what you will need to support that strategy, and goes from there. You may only be able to plan for a year in advance, so in this case, think small. If you expect to gain 2,000 more clients in the next year, plan for the technologies you’ll need to handle those additional clients. Then, you can reassess in a year.

The Development of Multiple Models

Because technology changes so quickly, it’s hard for companies to even consider what they’ll need in a year or two. For this reason, it is vital that IT personnel work directly with other staff to stay in the loop. Along the way, your IT staff should be developing multiple architectural models that fit the strategy and technology vision. As they do this, other members of staff can review them, discuss them, and ensure that they can scale with business needs and priorities as they change in the future.

Don’t Discount Current Technology

All too often, companies try to move forward from their current technology before it’s truly necessary. For example, you might think that your business will need a new software platform next year due to increased load that your current software just can’t handle, but it’s possible that the current software will transform and change before then. It’s important to take these things into consideration and cover a variety of possible scenarios to make the best possible choices going forward.

Supporting your business strategy with technology can be daunting, especially when things change so much – and so fast. However, as long as your IT department works alongside your staff, they’re planning for a variety of scenarios, and they aren’t looking too far into the future, it’s possible to make the right choices at just the right times.

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Protecting sensitive data is more critical than ever before. As cyber threats continue to rise, governments and regulatory bodies have introduced compliance frameworks to ensure businesses take appropriate measures to safeguard data. However, understanding these requirements can be overwhelming, especially since they vary by industry and location. We'll discuss some of the most common IT security compliance frameworks—such as HIPAA, CMMC, and CCPA—and explain their relevance to different industries. Whether you work in healthcare, manufacturing, or serving California residents, this guide will help you navigate the complex world of IT security compliance.

How IT Support Services Can Enhance Your Business's Cybersecurity Strategy

October 23, 2024

In today’s interconnected digital landscape, cybersecurity is more than just a necessity—it's essential to business survival. Cyberattacks are becoming more frequent and evolving in sophistication, leaving companies vulnerable to data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage. A robust cybersecurity strategy is critical to safeguarding your business from these growing threats. One of the most effective ways to enhance your cybersecurity defenses is by leveraging the expertise of professional IT support services. The Importance of a Strong Cybersecurity Strategy Every business, regardless of size or industry, is a potential target for cybercriminals. The consequences of a successful cyberattack can be devastating, ranging from financial losses and operational downtime to legal liabilities and damage to your brand's reputation. This is why developing and maintaining a robust cybersecurity strategy is more important than ever. A strong cybersecurity strategy helps your business: Protect sensitive data: Safeguarding customer information, intellectual property, and financial records. Ensure compliance: Meet regulatory requirements, such as CMMC, HIPAA, and SOC2, to avoid fines and legal repercussions. Maintain business continuity: Minimizing disruptions caused by cyberattacks and ensuring quick recovery when incidents occur. Build customer trust: Demonstrating to customers and partners that their data is secure, which can lead to stronger relationships and business growth. While some businesses attempt to handle cybersecurity internally, IT support services offer a more comprehensive, proactive, and scalable approach to protecting your business. Cybersecurity Services Provided by IT Support Teams IT support services can significantly enhance your cybersecurity strategy by offering a wide range of specialized services. Here’s how they contribute to protecting your business: 1. Risk Assessments and Vulnerability Audits One of the first steps in strengthening your cybersecurity strategy is understanding where your business is most vulnerable. IT support teams conduct risk assessments and vulnerability audits to identify potential weaknesses in your network, applications, and infrastructure. These assessments provide a clear picture of your business's risks, enabling you to take targeted action to mitigate those risks. 2. Implementation of Security Protocols Once vulnerabilities are identified, IT support services implement security protocols tailored to your business’s needs. This may include: Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Establishing barriers that prevent unauthorized access to your network. Data Encryption: Ensuring that sensitive data is encrypted in transit and at rest, protecting it from cybercriminals. 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IT support services provide security awareness training to educate your staff about the latest cyber threats and best practices for staying safe online. Training employees on recognizing phishing attempts, using strong passwords, and securely handling sensitive data can dramatically reduce the likelihood of human error leading to a security breach. 6. Compliance Support For businesses in regulated industries, staying compliant with data protection regulations is not optional—it’s mandatory. IT support teams can help ensure your business meets all necessary compliance requirements, such as CMMC, HIPAA, or SOC2. This includes maintaining audit trails, ensuring data encryption, and implementing security controls to protect sensitive information. By working with IT support services, businesses can avoid costly penalties and demonstrate their commitment to protecting customer data. Conclusion A strong cybersecurity strategy is vital to any business's success in today’s digital world. By partnering with an IT support service, businesses can enhance their cybersecurity defenses through risk assessments, security protocol implementation, continuous monitoring, and employee training. These services protect data and help ensure business continuity and compliance with industry regulations. If your business wants to strengthen its cybersecurity posture, now is the time to consider working with an IT support provider. Doing so lets you stay ahead of evolving cyber threats and focus on growing your business with peace of mind. Ready To Strengthen Your Cybersecurity With SDTEK? Don't leave your business vulnerable to cyber threats. At SDTEK, we offer comprehensive IT support and managed cybersecurity services designed to protect your business and ensure seamless operations. Whether you need risk assessments, ongoing monitoring, or incident response, our team of experts is here to help. Contact SDTEK today for a free consultation and discover how we can enhance your cybersecurity strategy and safeguard your business. Protect your data, reputation, and future—partner with SDTEK now!