If your only conversation with your IT provider happens once a year—usually around contract renewal—you’re flying blind.
Technology isn’t “set it and forget it,” especially in engineering.
Salt Lake City firms running CAD-heavy workflows, Revit collaboration, and large-scale municipal projects can’t afford downtime or surprises. Cybersecurity threats evolve weekly. Compliance standards shift. And network performance issues? They quietly eat away at your billable hours.
That’s why every engineering firm in Utah should be having quarterly IT check-ins with their Managed Services Provider (MSP). Not to chit-chat—just to ask the right questions.
Here are 7 no-fluff, high-impact questions every engineering ops leader should ask their IT partner—especially if you're using platforms like AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Bluebeam, or SolidWorks.
- Are There Any Security Vulnerabilities in Our Engineering Network Right Now?
You don’t want to find out about a ransomware breach because your VPN was misconfigured.
Ask:
- Is our firewall up to date?
- Are Revit collaboration files and internal servers being monitored?
- Have there been any suspicious login attempts or phishing red flags?
In Salt Lake’s growing engineering sector—especially for firms working on public infrastructure or government contracts—security isn’t optional. It’s foundational.
- What’s the Status of Our Backups—and Have They Been Tested?
Your project files are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. CAD drawings, design models, stamped plans—they’re your intellectual capital.
Ask your IT support:
- Are we backing up ALL project directories, including subcontractor uploads?
- Have we tested a full restoration in the last 90 days?
- Are backups encrypted and stored in a compliant cloud?
If your backup strategy hasn’t been tested, it’s a liability—especially during wildfire season or peak construction months.
- Are Our Employees Following Cybersecurity Best Practices?
You can have world-class software—but if your field engineer clicks on a spoofed SharePoint link, it’s game over.
Ask:
- Are staff using strong, unique passwords with MFA?
- Do we need a refresher on phishing and remote access security?
- Are contractors and temps following the same policies?
Cybersecurity for engineering firms isn’t just technical—it’s cultural. And culture starts with visibility.
- What’s Slowing Down Our Systems or VPN Access?
You’ve got designers waiting for Civil 3D models to sync. You’ve got a PM trying to upload a PDF to Bluebeam and the network chokes.
Ask your IT provider:
- Where are the bottlenecks—VPN, bandwidth, server I/O?
- Is our infrastructure scaled correctly for our current workload?
- Can we speed up collaboration tools without blowing the budget?
Even a 5-second delay on every file load adds up—especially when deadlines are stacked.
- Are We Still Compliant With Industry and Government Requirements?
Engineering firms in Salt Lake working on DOT or federal projects may need to meet CMMC, NIST 800-171, or municipal compliance standards.
Ask:
- Are our systems and policies aligned with the latest frameworks?
- Has anything changed since our last audit or review?
- Are we logging and tracking the right activity?
Compliance isn’t about red tape. It’s about keeping your contracts—and your reputation.
- What Should We Budget for Next Quarter?
Surprise expenses kill project budgets. Predictability is power.
Ask:
- Are any software licenses (Autodesk, Deltek, Procore) up for renewal?
- Any end-of-life hardware we need to plan for?
- What improvements should we prioritize—before they become emergencies?
You don’t want to be pricing out servers the same week the new transit center drawings are due.
- Are We Falling Behind on Tech or Security Trends?
Technology doesn’t stand still—and neither do cybercriminals.
Ask your MSP:
- What are other engineering firms in Salt Lake City doing that we aren’t?
- Are there smarter ways to store and share large CAD files?
- Should we consider AI-assisted design tools, upgraded firewall systems, or hybrid cloud architecture?
A good IT partner will flag risks. A great one helps you stay ahead of them.
If You’re Not Having These Conversations, You’re Already Behind
Let’s be real: if your current IT company isn’t having quarterly conversations like these, it’s a red flag. You deserve a partner who understands the stakes of engineering in Salt Lake City—and who treats your uptime like it’s non-negotiable.
🔍 Book Your FREE Engineering IT Assessment Today
Our Salt Lake-based team specializes in supporting civil, structural, and mechanical engineering firms. We know your tools. We know your pressures. And we’ll give you a clear roadmap for how to secure, scale, and streamline your IT—before anything breaks.
👉 Click here to schedule your free assessment
Because when your systems work, your engineers work. And that’s what builds the future.
