Linda posted on October 13, 2009 10:14
URGENT WARNING TO ALL BUSINESS OWNERS
If You Can't Answer "Yes" to These Seven Questions, Your Current IT Guy Has Too Much Control.
Most business owners would agree that you need to have a certain level of trust in your IT guy or gal. After all, he or she does have access to all of your company’s data and systems. But what if you were no longer satisfied with their services and were looking into replacing them? Could you be sure that he or she wouldn’t do something to jeopardize your computer network and ultimately your business? Do you have all of the information you will need for a new company to step in and make necessary changes?
Ask yourself the following 7 questions:
Do you know all of the passwords? Every machine and Internet related device on your network has (or should have) a password. If your current provider is the only one who knows what they are, then you (or your new IT guy) will not be able to view, change or update the system settings. You should also know the passwords to your company's database and accounting packages so you can change them whenever there is a change in IT providers.
- Do you know where your backup files are stored and if they are being stored properly? If you are like most business owners, you are too busy dealing with the "crisis of the day" to think about system backups and probably leave this task to your internal expert. If your database gets fried and your IT guy is nowhere to be found, you might be in a lot of trouble, particularly if your IT guy is just a "one man band".
- Do you have all of the product keys to your software? Product keys are long, alphanumeric codes, usually printed on the back of the software's packaging. They are required to install the software. Once installed, you don't need them again...UNLESS your system becomes unstable and you need to reinstall the program. Always make sure you have these stored in a secure location.
- Do you know where all the software disks are stored? Taking a minute to organize and store your software disks in a secure place can save you a considerable chunk of money in the event that you need to restore a program on your computer. If you don't have the disk, you might be forced to buy the software again.
- Do you know what routine maintenance must be done to your network? I know that the very idea of learning about and keeping track of all of the servers, workstations and peripherals on your network probably gives you a major headache, but it is important information to maintain. If your expert leaves without providing you with this information, you may need to pay a new professional to figure out what the expert was doing.
- Do you own your domain name and have the passwords to change the contact information for it? If your IT guy registered your domain for you, make sure that the contact information includes your company name, address, phone number and contact name as the registrant. If all of the contacts list your IT guy and he disappears, you will not be able to gain control of your website. You should also know the website and passwords to change contact and configuration information for your domain. While you can regain access without this information, it is not a simple process and will take time to prove that you are the rightful owner of the domain.
- Do you know how to protect yourself from an ugly security breach if your computer expert leaves? What happens if you let go of your IT expert and he or she still has access to your company's network? As soon as humanly possible, you should disable his or her access, including remote access to your network.
If you answered "NO" to any of these questions, you need to get the answers soon. IT providers who are secure enough with the quality of their services will welcome the opportunity to provide you with the answers.