If your only conversation with your IT provider happens during contract renewal, you’re doing it wrong.
Technology is not a “set it and forget it” part of your business. It’s constantly evolving, and so are the threats that come with it. That’s why quarterly IT reviews are essential if you want your business to stay protected, productive, and competitive.
But let’s be honest: Most business owners don’t know what to ask.
That’s why we put together your go-to checklist. These are the 7 essential IT provider questions you need answered every quarter—no tech-speak, no vague promises, just straight answers that keep your business running smoothly.
1. Are There Any Immediate Security Risks We Should Be Aware Of?
This isn’t just about checking boxes. You need to know:
- Is our antivirus and firewall protection up to date?
- Are there unpatched systems?
- Have there been any alerts, suspicious activity, or near-misses?
This isn’t being overly cautious—you’re being prepared.
2. What’s The Status Of Our Backups? Have They Been Tested Recently?
Backups are like seat belts: you don’t think about them until you really, really need them. Ask:
- When was the last time you tested a full restore?
- Are we using the right backup strategy—off-site, cloud, or hybrid?
- Are we backing up the right data?
- Is everything being backed up and stored securely?
You’d be shocked how many businesses think they’re backed up… until they’re not.
3. Are All Employees Following Security Best Practices?
It only takes one team member clicking the wrong link to compromise your entire network. Ask:
- Have there been any unusual logins or risky behavior?
- Do we need to retrain staff on phishing and cyber awareness?
- Are employees using multifactor authentication (MFA)?
Bonus points if your IT provider brings this up before you ask. That’s how you know they’re watching.
4. How Has Our Network Performance Been? Anything Slowing Us Down?
Slow systems = slow teams = lost productivity (and money). Ask:
- Are there any recurring performance issues?
- Are we outgrowing our hardware or software?
- Is there anything we can optimize to speed things up?
Even small tweaks can make a big difference.
5. Are We Still Compliant With Industry Regulations?
Regulations change. So do the rules about how you store and protect data. Ask:
- Are we still compliant with HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR, or other standards?
- Have any requirements changed that affect us?
- Do we need to update our policies, software, or training?
Fines for noncompliance aren’t cheap. Stay ahead of them.
6. What Should We Budget For In The Next Quarter?
A proactive IT provider will help you plan ahead. Ask:
- Are there any software licenses expiring?
- Any equipment nearing the end of its life?
- Any upcoming projects we should be planning for?
Avoid surprises. Planning ahead saves money—and headaches.
7. Are We Falling Behind On Any Important IT Or Cybersecurity Trends?
Technology is always moving forward—and so are cybercriminals. Ask your IT provider:
- Are there new tools, platforms, or best practices we haven’t adopted yet?
- Are we behind on any important security standards or performance metrics?
- What are other businesses our size doing that we’re not?
- Are there any rising threats we need to be more cautious of?
Falling behind on emerging trends doesn’t just slow you down—it leaves you exposed. A great IT partner will keep you ahead of the curve, not playing catch-up.
Not Having These Conversations? That’s a Red Flag
If your IT provider can’t give you clear, confident answers to these questions—or worse, if they aren’t offering to meet with you quarterly in the first place—you might not be getting the proactive support your business needs.
Technology evolves quickly. Cyberthreats move even faster.
You need someone who isn’t just putting out fires when things go wrong but actively working behind the scenes to prevent them in the first place.
We offer FREE Security Assessments to help business owners like you get a clear view of their tech setup, what’s not, and how to fix it before it turns into a problem.
