Let’s be honest—if the only time you hear from your IT provider is when something breaks (or when it’s time to renew your contract), that’s a red flag.
Technology is not a “set it and forget it” part of your business. Especially if you’re running a professional service firm in Santa Barbara where every minute matters and every client file is confidential. Whether you’re in law, healthcare, finance, or consulting—you can't afford to be in the dark when it comes to your IT.
That’s why we're sharing the 7 questions you should be asking your IT provider every single quarter—even if you’re not super tech-savvy. No jargon. No fluff. Just straight-up clarity to keep your business protected, productive, and ahead of the curve.
1. Are There Any Security Holes We Need to Patch—Today?
This isn’t about being paranoid. It’s about being prepared.
Ask your IT partner:
- Is our antivirus fully up to date?
- Are there any unpatched systems or outdated software?
- Have we had any close calls or near-misses we didn’t know about?
Even one unpatched system could be the open door a hacker’s looking for.
2. Are Our Backups Working—and Have You Actually Tested Them?
A backup that hasn’t been tested is just a false sense of security. Ask:
- When was the last full restore test?
- Are we backing up everything that matters (including cloud apps)?
- Is the data stored offsite and encrypted?
- Could we get back up and running in under an hour if disaster struck?
You’d be shocked how many business owners think they’re backed up… until they’re not.
3. Are My Employees Following Security Best Practices?
It only takes one accidental click to bring everything down. Ask:
- Have there been any strange logins or risky behavior?
- When was the last time we ran a phishing simulation?
- Are all users set up with multi-factor authentication?
Bonus points if your IT provider brings this up before you do.
4. Is Anything Slowing Down Our Network or Systems?
If your team’s complaining about slow software, lagging Wi-Fi, or constant reboots—it’s not just annoying, it’s costing you money. Ask:
- Are there any recurring performance issues?
- Are we outgrowing our current setup?
- Is there anything you can do to speed things up?
Small tweaks often make a big impact on daily productivity.
5. Are We Still Compliant With Industry Regulations?
HIPAA. PCI. Legal data standards. Whatever compliance rules apply to you, staying current is non-negotiable. Ask:
- Have there been any recent regulation changes?
- Are our systems and staff training still up to par?
- Do we need to update any policies or tools?
Falling behind can mean fines, lawsuits, or worse—reputation damage.
6. What Should We Be Budgeting For Next Quarter?
IT surprises = bad surprises. Stay ahead with questions like:
- Are any of our systems or licenses expiring soon?
- Is there equipment nearing the end of its life?
- Are there upgrades we should be planning for now?
This keeps you from getting blindsided by a $10,000 emergency expense.
7. What’s Coming Next in Tech—and Are We Falling Behind?
You don’t need to chase every shiny new tool—but you do need to know when something affects your security or competitive edge. Ask:
- Are there new tools or updates we should be aware of?
- Are we behind on anything critical—like encryption, remote access, or automation?
- What are similar firms in our industry doing that we aren’t?
Staying informed doesn’t mean doing more—it means making smarter decisions with the right info.
Not Having These Conversations? That’s a Problem.
If your current IT provider isn’t offering quarterly reviews or can’t clearly answer these questions—it's time to rethink who you’re trusting with your tech.
At Synergy Computing, we’re not just here to fix things when they break. We’re here to prevent problems, protect your business, and partner with you like we’re part of your team.
🛡️ We offer free security assessments to help professional firms like yours get a clear picture of what’s working, what’s risky, and what you can fix—before it turns into a business emergency.
📅 Let’s talk. Schedule your free assessment today—and get the peace of mind you’ve been missing.
Because IT should work like electricity: always on, always reliable, and never something you have to think about.
