If there’s one thing that our extremely technical society has evolved into, it’s one where technology is always striving to improve itself. This is especially important for businesses that are looking to maximize the return on investment they get from their hardware and software. Do you know where your organization concentrates its resources for tech upgrades?

The first thing that you should know about workstation and other technology upgrades is that they’re absolutely imperative if you want to keep your systems as secure as possible. Many viruses and malware types try to take advantage of security flaws that are periodically discovered in the source code of operating systems. This helps them get into your systems, even when they shouldn’t. These flaws are often addressed in system updates issued by the software provider.

So, the reality of the situation is that you shouldn’t be missing software updates; yet, this happens more often that you might think. When technology management isn’t the sole responsibility of your staff, regular maintenance which should be routine are often neglected or forgotten entirely, leaving your systems exposed to the myriad of threats that are found in the online environment. To avoid this, consider the following when analyzing your network to make upgrades a priority.

Software Updates
Software updates aren’t limited to just your operating system; many of your mission-critical applications also need to be regularly updated if you want to ensure that they too don’t have any unnecessary security flaws. Furthermore, these updates often enhance the user experience to make your workday more productive. You really have no reason to not be using the most recent version for all of your software solutions. Often times, however, you might realize that you can get the same job done by switching to a more convenient piece of software. It’s always recommended that you consult with a professional technician before making drastic changes to your business’s software infrastructure.

Antivirus Updates
Although your antivirus solution is another type of software, it’s worth mentioning separately. If your antivirus and other security software solutions aren’t properly maintained, it’s like you’re basically “leaving your keys in the front door,” so to speak. Your antivirus solution needs to be managed on all workstations, or better yet, centrally controlled from the server to ensure that all users are protected and up-to-date.

Hardware Upgrades
Similar to software, your organization will need to replace or update your hardware solutions consistently to ensure your data is as safe as possible. Old hardware can be detrimental to the operational efficiency of your organization, and you can potentially lose all of your data in one sitting due to an unexpected hardware failure. This means that it’s more important than ever to make sure you’re monitoring your systems for hints of degradation or even a looming hardware failure.

Of course, if you simply don’t have time to review your business’s network and the status of your technology updates, Argentum IT is willing to provide you with the time and expertise needed to address these important issues. We can perform a comprehensive network audit that helps determine where potential update problems might be holding your business back. Furthermore, we can offer our remote monitoring and maintenance solution, which allows us to monitor your technology infrastructure for potential signs of hardware failure and the detection of lacking software updates. Give us a call at (502) 473-6407 to learn more.