June 09, 2025
If You Only Talk to Your IT Provider at Contract Renewal, You're Doing It Wrong
Let's get this straight: Technology is not a "set it and forget it" part of your business. It evolves constantly—so do the threats, the tools, and the expectations.
If the only time you hear from your IT provider is when it's time to renew your contract, you're missing critical conversations that could save your business from serious downtime, data loss, or worse.
That's why quarterly IT check-ins aren't optional anymore—they're essential.
But here's the problem: Most business owners don't know what to ask. So we built a cheat sheet for you.
Use this every quarter to hold your IT provider accountable—and to keep your business secure, productive, and future-proof.
🔒 1. Are There Any Security Vulnerabilities We Need to Address Right Now?
This isn't about checking boxes—it's about risk prevention. Ask:
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Is our antivirus and endpoint protection up to date?
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Are there any unpatched systems or outdated software?
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Have there been any red flags, alerts, or "near misses" in the last 90 days?
👉 Pro tip: You're not being paranoid. You're being prepared.
💾 2. What's the Status of Our Backups—and Have You Tested Them Recently?
Backups are only valuable if they work. Ask:
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When was the last time we did a full restore test?
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Are we backing up everything that matters—and storing it securely?
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What type of backup strategy are we using? (On-site, cloud, hybrid?)
Too many businesses think they're covered... until disaster strikes and they realize they're not.
👥 3. Are Employees Following Security Best Practices?
Human error is still the #1 cause of breaches. Ask:
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Have there been any suspicious logins or employee activity?
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Do we need a new round of phishing or cybersecurity awareness training?
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Is multifactor authentication (MFA) enforced across the board?
A strong IT partner will raise these flags before you ask. If they don't—that's a red flag in itself.
🚀 4. How's Our Network Performance? Anything Slowing Us Down?
Slow systems = slow teams = lost revenue. Ask:
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Are there recurring bottlenecks or outages?
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Are we outgrowing our current hardware or software?
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What can we fine-tune to boost speed and efficiency?
Small performance tweaks can create big productivity wins.
⚖️ 5. Are We Still Compliant with [HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR, etc.]?
Compliance isn't a "set it once" situation—regulations evolve constantly. Ask:
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Are we still aligned with the latest industry standards?
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Do we need to update our policies, tools, or employee training?
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Have any laws changed in the last quarter that affect us?
Non-compliance = fines, legal exposure, and lost trust.
💡 6. What Should We Be Budgeting for Next Quarter?
Smart budgeting starts with strategic planning. Ask:
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Are any licenses or subscriptions expiring soon?
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Is any of our equipment reaching end-of-life?
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Are there projects coming up (e.g., upgrades, migrations) that we should prep for?
Surprise IT expenses are avoidable—if you're proactive.
🔭 7. What Emerging Trends or Threats Are We Behind On?
Technology is racing forward—and so are cybercriminals. Ask:
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Are there new best practices we haven't adopted yet?
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Are we lagging behind other businesses our size?
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What new threats should we be paying attention to?
A good IT provider puts out fires. A great one prevents them from ever starting.
🚨 If You're Not Having These Conversations, That's a Red Flag
If your IT partner can't answer these questions—or worse, isn't bringing them up at all—it's time to re-evaluate that relationship.
You deserve an IT provider who checks in before there's a problem. Who plans ahead. Who has your back.
At AdviseTech, we offer free Security Assessments to help you get a clear picture of your current setup—what's working, what's not, and what needs fixing before it becomes an issue.
👉 Book Your Free Assessment Now
Stay protected. Stay productive. Stay ahead.