Hey everyone, I'm looking for some guidance on managing IT for my small-medium business. I've been with this company for a long time and currently oversee the IT department. We have around 45 employees, with about 8 working remotely and 12 in the field. We're using Google Workspace and accessing a QNAP file server with individual accounts. My team connects to the office network via VPN when necessary. Previously, we tried setting up Active Directory with a Windows server about 14 years ago, but it didn't go well. Our daily operations involve emails, Word and Excel documents, and some specialized software. Most of our employees are tech-savvy. We order new laptops with Professional versions of Windows and standalone Office licenses that stay with the machine until it's retired after around 5-7 years. Most of our data is on the file server, which isn't sensitive, while we're heavily using Google Sheets and Google Drive for collaboration. As our company is growing, I'm contemplating whether we need to make changes to our IT setup or stick with what we have. I'm open to thoughts and recommendations!
5 Answers
On security, are you taking steps to prevent Business Email Compromise (BEC)? That’s a huge issue for many smaller businesses. Training your staff to recognize scams is crucial, but incorporating some tech solutions could bolster your defenses too. What does your current security protocol look like?
Another angle to consider is implementing a centralized identity management system. If everyone logs in through a centralized system, it simplifies things and improves security. Using tools like Google Credential Provider and considering device management solutions within Google Workspace can be game-changers.
I believe the key is in planning and processes. Have you considered what would happen if an employee left the company with access to sensitive data? Plus, how do you handle potential ransomware threats? Chat with your users to see what improvements they want and work with your legal team to understand compliance requirements. Prioritize these needs in your budget for a smoother operation.
I wouldn’t rush into changes unless absolutely necessary, but it might be wise to set up a domain now for easier management in the future. Even if you don't expect rapid growth, having a domain can streamline audits. Plus, it might be time to revisit that Active Directory setup that didn’t work last time – understanding what went wrong could help you avoid those pitfalls again.
That makes sense! It might be easier to tackle scalability now rather than scrambling later. A proactive approach can save you a lot of trouble down the line.
First off, I totally get your hesitation to change things that seem to be working fine. But let's not forget about backup and security! What if one day you log into Google Drive and everything is gone? It happened to others, like UniSuper in Australia, who lost their entire cloud data due to a Google mistake. I recommend looking into third-party backup options for Google Workspace, like Synology's solution, to ensure you're covered.
That's a valid concern! It's pretty scary to think that our data is vulnerable in the cloud without a backup. Just having a restoration method in place can save you a ton of headache.
Good point! Training is key, but it’s tricky. Sometimes even the most careful users can fall for clever phishing schemes.