Talk to Sales (510) 552-6896

The 9 Most Common IT Problems Faced By Businesses

Jul 20, 2023 | Cybersecurity

Information Technology (IT) is crucial to business operations in the modern world. Many businesses of all sizes rely on IT infrastructure to deliver services to their clientele and grow their bottom line. However, many of them are not equipped to handle the challenges posed by dependence on IT solutions.

9 Common IT Problems

In this post, Newark’s leading managed IT services provider, Renascence IT Consulting, looks at the common IT problems businesses face and the solutions to them.

Constant threat of cyberattacks

Cybercriminals across the world today are now more sophisticated than ever. The ubiquitous nature of connected devices in business environments also makes their job easier. They target businesses of all sizes, but smaller establishments are most at risk due to a lack of robust IT security protocols and systems.

Ransomware, malware, and Denial-of-Service (DOS) attacks are some of the most popular types of attacks. 

A stronger security culture where everyone knows common cyber security tips can help reduce the risk of successful attacks. Every business also needs a robust anti-cyber attack plan based on sound security principles to stay ahead of cybercriminals.

Persistent risk of data breaches

The goal of most cyberattacks is to gain access to critical business information. Therefore, businesses are constantly under pressure to keep all sensitive data intact.

The combination of online and offline data storage can make many organizations less susceptible to breaches. Cloud-based data backup can reduce security risks, but overdependence on it can be costly in the event of a breach.

As a business owner, you also need to conduct regular stress tests to ensure your IT department is equipped to withstand attacks targeting your data. You also need to develop a robust disaster recovery plan to ensure speedy recovery in the event of a data breach.

Risk of data loss

The risk of data loss also exists even without a cyber attack. Companies experience significant sums of data loss due to computer problems, human mistakes, web hosting problems, and more.

To reduce this risk, it’s important to build in redundancies wherever possible. Something as simple as having a backup power supply can reduce the risk of losing files on a disk to power outages.

Similarly, you can reduce the risk of human error by giving employees access only to what they need for specific job duties. Many innovative solutions make such compartmentalization straightforward. It’s the best way to make sure one person’s mistakes won’t cripple operations or have staff trawling through the recycle bin.

Slow performance in network and technology devices

A slow internet connection, slow service download speeds, and hardware-related downtime are some of the biggest technology issues many establishments face. They can affect employee productivity and hurt your organization’s bottom line.

A broken screen, an unresponsive ethernet cable, or a broken USB cable or power cable can slow down important processes. The best way to deal with this problem is to set up or reshuffle the helpdesk. Alternatively, you can consider working with a managed service provider that will provide help when necessary and take steps to proactively prevent downtime.

Problem integrating new technology

With IT improving at neck-breaking speeds, keeping up with all the emerging technologies can feel impossible. Companies are constantly faced with the challenge of safely introducing new technology without dealing with integration issues.

Systems fail when new changes don’t blend in seamlessly with the existing infrastructure. For example, moving employee data backup to a new cloud service provider can disrupt the entire backup process. Switching hosting providers can affect internal and external email communications.

This is one of the most common IT problems brands have to navigate. However, you can solve this problem easily by putting together an experienced IT team or working with a managed service provider. They can help you create an IT strategy that incorporates the integration of new software applications or hardware components.

Difficulties meeting compliance requirements

Businesses have to meet data security compliance requirements to avoid penalties and fines that may cripple operations.

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) are some examples.

Unfortunately, many small businesses have difficulties understanding their obligations. Expert guidance easily solves this problem.

Rising expenses

Technology is expensive, and your expenditure will only rise with more business growth. One of the most common IT problems owners have to navigate is working out how to avoid unnecessary expenditures like high data rates. 

The best way to deal with this problem is through proactive planning and budgeting. Maintaining a constantly updated inventory of software and hardware needs can help prevent unnecessary spending over time.

Difficulty finding qualified in-house staff 

Inexperienced IT staff can put your business at risk of underperformance. They may also make your business more vulnerable to threats and breaches.

However, the rise of remote work and other changes to how we work means that recruiting is no longer business as usual. Small brands have to compete with more established names for talent.

You can take advantage of third-party staffing solutions to find in-house IT professionals. Alternatively, you should explore the option of hiring qualified remote teams for your IT needs.

Cloud confusion

Most businesses jump on the cloud bandwagon without fully understanding what it means for them. Therefore, they end up experiencing software issues and other forms of technical issues that may affect daily operations.

The best solution is to limit cloud usage to where it’s most important (like email communications and document management), only adding more services when there’s a justifiable use case.

We’re Here To Provide The Solutions To All Your IT Problems

At Renascence IT Consulting, we have made a name for providing easy solutions for all technology problems plaguing modern businesses.

We offer the full range of managed services and can serve as consultants to help your business reach its full potential using modern IT solutions. We know how to identify cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and we can also help your business create an IT roadmap.

Contact us at (510) 552-6896 to book an appointment.

Our History

WE LIVE AND BREATHE TECHNOLOGY

With over 20 years of industry experience under his belt, the company's CEO possesses a degree in Computer Science and a number of certifications, including MCSE, MCSA, A+ and Network+. From an early age, computers were always a part of his life; dating back to the days of the Apple II. Since that time, he served as everything from system administrator to IT business director within well-established companies, before deciding that consulting was his passion. Leveraging years of technical recruiting, he personally handpicked a select group of specialists proficient in Linux, customized web applications and databases, telephony and cross-platform devices, to ultimately bring your organization to the next level.