We have all heard the question: "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, did it really happen?" That thought raises philosophical issues regarding our powers of observation and perception. When each of us are in our “me” centered world, we sometimes think that if we did not see or hear something, then it was not important, or worse that it did not happen. But if we take a broader view and consider things rationally, we realize that is far from the case.
When it comes to Information Technology maintenance, what happens out of sight or behind the scenes that clients do not see is vital. It is likely far more important to the client than what they do see when a technician assists them with a particular issue or problem. These vital activities are done to ensure the safety of the network and the client’s data as well as to minimize any potential downtime from any kind of network/software/hardware failure. In short, they fix or address key items before they need fixing.
Proactive maintenance that you do not see can help your IT team to discover in advance what might lead to hardware failures, identify for users when they are misusing software and hardware, notify clients well beforehand on hardware/software end-of-life issues, etc. We cannot overemphasize how important this is to reduce work interruptions, disruptions, or outages. The cost of this downtime is enormous, yet it too is often “unseen.” And like the tree in the forest that falls with no one around, it is real. Revenue lost and expenses continuing to flow at the same time are huge costs.
Proactive Maintenance of IT is Key to Success
The IT Radix approach to proactive maintenance that ensures its clients are working productively and securely includes a great deal of activities vital to the health of the network that happen out of sight:
Remote monitoring. Like a First Alert System, this service is your eyes and ears on your entire network for internet access, power, up/down, etc.
Server Reboots. This is done after hours to apply patches and regular updates that require rebooting.
System Patching and Updating. PC hardware and software vendors deliver new versions of drivers, bug fixes and other improvements via updates. Scheduling these outside of business hours helps to ensure your productivity.
Firmware and Software Updates. Firmware and software updates bring some alterations to programs which are necessary to enable the corresponding devices to operate proficiently as well as to fix the bugs for better security. Yet another behind-the-scenes task.
Backups. Multiple backups stored on different media, both onsite and offsite, allows an organization to ensure their data is always recoverable.
Firewall Maintenance. The system that supports the firewall must be properly maintained and is vital to minimize cybersecurity risks.
Vulnerability Scans and Penetration Tests. Scans identify any network systems that are subject to known vulnerabilities and penetration tests identify weaknesses in specific system configurations and organizational processes and practices that can be exploited to compromise security.
Anti-Virus Upgrades. Updates are released daily and contain the latest files needed to combat new viruses and protect your computer.
“Eyes On” Review of Logs. Finally, there is nothing like a real person working behind the scenes looking deep inside your network to find things only a human eye can see that are detrimental to the productivity of the network.
Contact us today and see how IT Radix is working diligently behind the scenes to make IT work for you!
First published in our November 2020 IT Radix Resource newsletter
