Is a technology audit right for your business? Dive into its importance, from identifying outdated systems, optimizing processes, to protecting against security threats.
Are you experiencing issues in your processes that you know could be avoided with the right infrastructure in place? Then you urgently need a technology audit.
Organizations of all types and sizes depend on technology to perform their daily functions and help them meet their short- and long-term goals and objectives. But technology changes quickly, and sometimes it can be difficult to keep up with the latest innovations while you juggle many other concerns essential to running a successful business.
That's where a technology audit comes in. Doing it can help you determine where there are gaps and what you need to do to fix them.
What is a technology audit?
A technology audit is a critical part of your IT strategy. It involves a thorough assessment and examination of your systems, software, hardware, and additional tools and technologies. During this review, you should carefully observe:
- The current state of your technological infrastructure
- Available updates or new versions of your technologies
- Potential uses of technology that can benefit your business
- Technology-related issues your employees regularly face
- The reliability of your tools, networks and systems
- Cybersecurity and vulnerabilities in your technology
- Legal risks and concerns
- Inefficiencies
- Scalability of your infrastructure
Do you need to perform an audit?
How can you know whether or not you need a technology audit? Here are some of the signs that indicate it's time to do so.
You haven't evaluated your technology in a long time
When was the last time you took a close look at the technology implemented in your organization? Have you ever performed a rigorous audit? Unless you are a brand new company, it is absolutely critical to carry out audits regularly.
Your IT team is bogged down by issues that need to be fixed
If your IT team is constantly dealing with problems, it's pretty clear that you need to do something about it. After all, if they are working day and night to solve these problems, not only will it be expensive for you, but it also means that they will not be able to work on implementing innovations and improving your technological infrastructure.
Employees are complaining
Do employees often deal with the same problems over and over again – whether it's a network that's always down or a program that constantly has errors? It's natural for them to be frustrated and expect you to resolve these issues sooner or later.
Your business is growing quickly and your technology isn't keeping up
As your business grows, your technology needs will inevitably change with expansion. For example, you may need new cloud storage or systems that accommodate additional users. Make sure all your technologies support your goals and transformation.
You are afraid of using new technologies
It's natural to have some apprehension about using tools you've never encountered. You may be worried that you don't know how to maximize their potential or that they will disrupt your business. But technology is critical to your organization's success, and if you fail to adopt the latest innovations, you could risk being left behind by competitors who use them.
You have encountered security threats or breaches
This is one of the most important reasons why you need to perform a technology audit. If you've ever encountered cybersecurity issues, you've likely suffered harm from them – and that harm can leave a lasting impact. But even if you haven't had these problems, you should take steps to protect your technology and your entire business. And that starts with a comprehensive audit to identify gaps and vulnerabilities.
How to Conduct a Successful Audit
Determine scope and objectives
Before you begin conducting the audit, decide what your objectives are. Are there specific systems you want to prioritize? Are there vulnerabilities that need to be addressed immediately? Are you wondering about the updates you should make? Whatever your goals are, make sure you have them clearly defined from the start.
You should also clarify the scope of the audit. This is important so you know what you are getting into and also how long you should expect the process to take.
Make an assessment
After defining the scope and objectives, you must perform a complete assessment of your infrastructure. During this phase, you should collect data including employee information, IT department concerns and advice, statistics on usage and downtime, and more.
Hire a third party
You and your employees may be too close to the systems you regularly use to form objective opinions about them. This is why many companies choose to outsource technology audit services to professionals outside the organization. Not only will they be able to form an unbiased opinion, but they will also be specifically trained and equipped with the skills needed to conduct these assessments.
Ask employees about their needs
Your employees are the ones using this technology, so it's critical to get their voice. What concerns do they have? What would they like to see? Create a survey or similar means of collecting this data to get an idea of what they want and need in a solid technology infrastructure.
Do this regularly
While how often you perform a technology audit depends on several factors, including the size of your organization, the age of your systems, and more, one thing is certain: you can't just do it once and call it a day. . Perform routine audits to ensure your technology is reliable and up-to-date. What's working? What is not? What could you be doing even better? A technology audit will give you the answers to these and other pressing business questions and concerns.
