If you're only talking to your IT provider once a year—usually during contract renewal—you’re putting your business at risk.
Your technology systems aren’t “set it and forget it.” Cyber threats, compliance regulations, and tech performance are constantly evolving. That’s why regular, quarterly IT check-ins are essential for staying secure, efficient, and competitive.
Not sure what to ask? We’ve got you covered.
Here are 7 vital questions every business should ask their Managed IT Services provider—no jargon, no fluff, just answers that keep your business running smoothly.
- Are There Any Security Vulnerabilities in Our System Right Now?
This question gets straight to the point:
Are you protected today?
Ask your IT support team:
- Is our antivirus and anti-malware up to date?
- Are all systems and software patched?
- Have there been any recent cyber threats, red flags, or attempted breaches?
Knowing where your weaknesses are now means you can fix them before they become costly problems.
- What’s the Status of Our Backups—and Have You Tested Them?
Backups are your last line of defense against ransomware, data loss, or hardware failure. But many businesses think they’re protected—until they’re not.
Ask your IT services provider:
- When was the last full recovery test?
- Are we backing up the right data?
- Are backups stored off-site or in the cloud?
- Are they secure and encrypted?
Cloud-based backup solutions with regular testing are a must for modern business continuity.
- Are Our Employees Following Cybersecurity Best Practices?
Human error is still the #1 cause of data breaches.
Ask:
- Are there signs of risky user behavior?
- Do we need more phishing training or password hygiene refreshers?
- Are all users enrolled in multi-factor authentication?
An effective cybersecurity strategy includes both tech and training.
- Is Anything Slowing Down Our Network or IT Systems?
If your team is complaining about slow apps or unreliable connections, it's time to assess your network performance.
Ask your network services provider:
- Are we seeing recurring lags or hardware bottlenecks?
- Is our infrastructure still right for our size and needs?
- Can we optimize anything for speed and uptime?
Small IT performance issues can snowball into lost productivity and revenue.
- Are We Still Compliant With Data Regulations?
Whether you’re in healthcare, finance, or retail, compliance isn’t optional.
Ask:
- Are we still aligned with HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR, or other industry standards?
- Have any new regulations been introduced?
- Do we need policy or software updates?
Compliance audits are costly—Managed IT Services help you stay ahead of fines and failures.
- What Should We Budget for Next Quarter?
Avoid IT surprises by planning ahead. Ask your IT company:
- Are any licenses expiring?
- Is any hardware nearing end-of-life?
- What upgrades or proactive projects should we prioritize?
Proactive IT planning means fewer emergencies—and more predictable expenses.
- Are We Falling Behind on Emerging Technology or Cybersecurity Trends?
Technology changes fast—and cybersecurity threats evolve even faster.
Ask your IT provider:
- Are we missing any essential tools, software, or protocols?
- What are similar businesses in our industry doing that we aren’t?
- Are there new threats or vulnerabilities we need to prepare for?
A great IT support provider doesn’t just respond—they guide you forward.
If You’re Not Having These Conversations, That’s a Red Flag
If your current IT support provider isn’t already offering quarterly reviews—or can’t answer these questions confidently—you may not be getting the level of service you need.
Technology should be proactive, not reactive.
We offer a FREE Security & Network Assessment to help businesses like yours get a clear picture of what’s working, what’s vulnerable, and how to optimize your IT infrastructure before it breaks.
Click here to book your FREE assessment and take control of your IT before the next crisis hits.
