7 Questions You Should Be Asking Your IT Provider Every Quarter (But Probably Aren’t)

If you only talk to your IT provider when it's time to renew your contract, you're missing the mark.

Technology isn't something you can just set up and forget. It's always changing, and so are the risks that come with it. That's why quarterly IT check-ins are essential if you want your business to stay safe, efficient, and competitive.

The problem is, most business owners don't know what questions to ask.

So here's a cheat sheet. These are the questions your IT provider should be able to answer every quarter—no jargon, no vague answers, just clear information that keeps your business running smoothly.

1. Are There Any Vulnerabilities We Need To Address Right Now?

This goes beyond ticking boxes. You need to know:

- Is our antivirus software current?

- Are there any unpatched systems?

- Have there been any close calls or warning signs recently?

You're not being paranoid—you're being prepared.

2. What's The Status Of Our Backups? And Have You Tested Them Lately?

Backups are like seat belts—you don't think about them until you really need them. Ask:

- When was the last full restore test?

- Are we using the best backup strategy? Off-site, cloud, or hybrid?

- Are we backing up everything we should?

- Is all backup data stored securely?

Many businesses think they're backed up—until they find out they're not.

3. Are All Employees Following Security Best Practices?

One wrong click can compromise your entire network. Ask:

- Have there been any unusual logins or risky behaviors?

- Do employees need more phishing training?

- Is multifactor authentication in use?

If your IT provider brings this up before you ask, that's a good sign they're on top of things.

4. How Has Our Network Performance Been? Anything Slowing Us Down?

Slow systems mean slow teams and lost productivity. Ask:

- Are there recurring performance problems?

- Are we outgrowing our current hardware or software?

- Can anything be optimized to improve speed?

Even small improvements can have a big impact.

5. Are We Still Compliant?

Regulations evolve, as do the rules for data protection. Ask:

- Are we meeting all industry standards?

- Have any compliance requirements changed?

- Do we need to update policies, software, or training?

Noncompliance fines can be costly—stay ahead of them.

6. What Should We Be Budgeting For Next Quarter?

Good IT planning is proactive. Ask:

- Are any software licenses about to expire?

- Is any equipment nearing end of life?

- Are there upcoming projects we should prepare for?

This helps avoid surprise costs and keeps your budget on track.

7. What Trends In IT Or Cybersecurity Are We Behind On That Are Making Us Slower Or More Vulnerable?

Technology and cyber threats keep evolving. Ask your provider:

- Are there new tools or best practices we haven't adopted yet?

- Are we falling behind in security protocols or performance standards?

- What are similar businesses doing that we're not?

- Are there emerging threats we should watch out for?

Falling behind on trends doesn't just slow you down—it puts you at risk. A great IT partner keeps you ahead, not catching up.

You Aren't Having These Conversations? Red Flag

If your IT provider can't give clear answers to these questions—or worse, doesn't offer to meet with you quarterly—you might not be getting the support your business needs.

Technology moves fast. Cyber threats move even faster.

You need someone who's not just fixing problems when they happen but actively working to stop them before they start.

We offer FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call to help business owners like you get a clear view of their tech setup - what's working, what's not and how to fix it before it turns into a problem.

Click here or give us a call at (949) 396-1100 to book your 15-Minute Discovery Call today!