{"id":10819,"date":"2023-12-27T12:41:03","date_gmt":"2023-12-27T17:41:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fortis-cyber.com\/web\/?p=10819"},"modified":"2024-01-24T07:24:00","modified_gmt":"2024-01-24T12:24:00","slug":"steps-for-small-businesses-to-audit-their-tech-infrastructure-in-the-new-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fortis-cyber.com\/web\/2023\/12\/27\/steps-for-small-businesses-to-audit-their-tech-infrastructure-in-the-new-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Steps for Small Businesses to Audit Their Tech Infrastructure in the New Year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fortis-cyber.com\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/AdobeStock_608671745-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"Woman standing while holding a tablet in an office. \" class=\"wp-image-10820\" style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;object-fit:cover;width:459px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fortis-cyber.com\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/AdobeStock_608671745-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.fortis-cyber.com\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/AdobeStock_608671745-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.fortis-cyber.com\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/AdobeStock_608671745-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.fortis-cyber.com\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/AdobeStock_608671745-1536x1025.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.fortis-cyber.com\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/AdobeStock_608671745-2048x1366.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.fortis-cyber.com\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/AdobeStock_608671745-600x400.jpeg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As we enter a new year, it&#8217;s an opportune moment for small businesses to assess and fortify their tech infrastructure. Whether you&#8217;re a budding startup or a seasoned small enterprise, auditing your technology assets can bolster security, streamline operations, and fortify your business against potential risks. Here&#8217;s a comprehensive guide to auditing your tech infrastructure in the new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:18px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>1. <strong>Identify Hardware and Software Assets<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first step is to create a detailed inventory of all hardware and software assets. Compile a comprehensive list from computers and servers to software systems and networking devices. This catalog ensures a clear understanding of your tech landscape.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:18px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>2. <strong>Assess Network Security<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Security is paramount. Check for vulnerabilities across your network. Update software, ensure robust password protocols, and employ encryption where necessary. Regular security assessments safeguard against potential threats.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:18px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>3. <strong>Review Backup and Recovery Plans<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Disasters can strike unexpectedly. Review and update backup systems for critical data. A well-thought-out disaster recovery plan ensures business continuity even in challenging times.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:18px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>4. <strong>Evaluate Cloud Services<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your business relies on cloud services, verify their security measures. Ensure proper configuration and adherence to best practices to protect sensitive data stored in the cloud.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:18px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>5. <strong>Review IT Policies and Procedures<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Policies and procedures evolve with time. Review and update IT policies to reflect current business needs and technological advancements. Ensure alignment with industry standards and compliance requirements.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:18px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>6. <strong>Employee Training<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Educate your team on cybersecurity best practices. Awareness among employees about potential risks and security measures is pivotal in safeguarding your business data.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:18px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>7.<strong> Regular Audits and Maintenance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tech audits shouldn&#8217;t be a one-time affair. Regularly schedule audits to catch potential issues early. Maintenance routines keep systems running smoothly and mitigate risks proactively. A proactive approach to auditing your tech infrastructure enhances security and optimizes performance, ensuring your business operates at its best.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:18px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>For more detailed guidance on conducting a tech audit, check out&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/zapier.com\/blog\/it-audit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zapier<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sagacent.com\/blog\/it-audit-checklist\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read Us<\/a>, and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.isaca.org\/resources\/isaca-journal\/issues\/2020\/volume-2\/auditing-emerging-technologies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ISACA<\/a>&nbsp;resources.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The new year presents an ideal opportunity for small businesses to reinforce their tech foundations. By taking these steps, you can fortify your infrastructure, protect sensitive data, and set the stage for a successful year ahead.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As we enter a new year, it&#8217;s an opportune moment for small businesses to assess and fortify their tech infrastructure. Whether you&#8217;re a budding startup or a seasoned small enterprise, auditing your technology assets can bolster security, streamline operations, and fortify your business against potential&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,123,23],"tags":[155,119,162,127,157,161],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fortis-cyber.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10819"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fortis-cyber.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fortis-cyber.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fortis-cyber.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fortis-cyber.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10819"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.fortis-cyber.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10819\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10825,"href":"https:\/\/www.fortis-cyber.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10819\/revisions\/10825"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fortis-cyber.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10819"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fortis-cyber.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10819"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fortis-cyber.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10819"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}