IT professionals are people who manage and maintain computer systems, keeping them operational and safe from threats. IT is also about managing the data stored on these systems.
The fact that information is not a physical product introduces challenges when it comes to protecting it. You won’t know anything is wrong until something is done to or with the data you’ve been put in charge of. IT businesses also have an obligation to follow several security and other compliance regulations when dealing with sensitive data.
An IT business needs to ensure:
Consistent cybersecurity
Cybersecurity in the event of attempted hacking is one of the things IT professionals spend a majority of their time ensuring. It’s why your IT department sends those emails about ignoring suspicious links and never leaving your laptop unattended.
Ensuring your systems can handle any pending threats requires you to test it yourself; and the best way to do that is with regular cybersecurity audits. These audits allow you to assess the measures you have in place and the general safety practices in your organization.
Efficient data management
IT systems store and transfer large amounts of data. Your job is to strike the balance between maintaining easy access to that data and ensuring the data is protected. Effective data managers communicate with stakeholders to understand how they want their data handled and are able to assess any risks present.
Define and apply a detailed data management policy that covers security, storage, company goals, responsible individuals, and more. It’s a good idea to base this policy on well-regarded standards like ISO or GDPR.
Regulatory compliance
IT systems need to store data in compliance with various data management and security standards, or they might face penalties from regulatory bodies. Some examples include PSCI-DSS and GDPR (ISO, while a comprehensive framework for you to use as a basis for your IT system, is not mandatory).
As technology continues to evolve, the laws surrounding it follow suit, meaning that in addition to compliance with existing regulations, your job is to track changes and adjust your practices accordingly. Cybersecurity standards evolve year after year, particularly with the rise of AI.
Service integration
In the IT industry, you need to make sure any systems you rely on can fit within overall business structures. There are many cloud-based services that streamline data handling, which you’re in charge of integrating into the organization.
Cloud-based platforms save businesses tons of time and resources, as once they’re set up, your data will sync automatically. Since these are third-party services, you need to audit them just like you do your own internal data management system. Only integrate services you’re confident are secure.
Running an IT business with Lumiform
Monitoring and updating your approach to IT management is easier with workflow automation software like Lumiform. A combination of mobile app and desktop platform help you design and carry out inspections to validate and improve data management.
Simply download an existing IT checklist to get started with faster, standardized cybersecurity audits. Following a checklist requires no training at all, since the software guides you through every step.
Lumiform covers a range of crucial IT functions, including:
- Routine computer maintenance to help you avoid and stay ahead of problems
- Cybersecurity audits that help you refine policies
- Detailed compliance guidelines that help you adhere to standards like GDPR
- Risk assessments that help you understand potential flaws in your IT infrastructure
Any checklist you use with Lumiform can be edited whenever needed, meaning it’s easy to reflect regulatory changes in your audit schedule. Simply add or change a few fields and your new checklist is ready for use.
Lumiform stores all your inspection data in the cloud, encrypted according to the most current data security standards. That way, you’re able to access and refer back to it anytime. The platform also generates automatic weekly and monthly reports that give you a deeper look into your organization by visualizing key metrics. These analyses reflect business development over time, so not only can you quickly assess present cybersecurity risks, you can evaluate how well your organization is handling them.