At Xenex Systems, our favourite way to get to know a client is by conducting an IT Systems Audit. Why do we love it so much? Well, there are a few reasons. Yes, we geek out on discovering all the ins-and-outs of your setup and seeing how it’s been curated (or in some cases cobbled) together for you, but the biggest reason we love the process is seeing how much it means to our customers when we get to deploy our recommendations.
We follow IT industry audit frameworks to ensure we’re giving you the best possible outcome. Every business, office, industry and team needs a unique solution tailored to their needs and requirements. The more we know about what you’re starting with, the better we can accurately remedy or optimise it, and ultimately save you costs and double handling down the line. It might be hard to figure out where to start, or what an IT systems audit even entails, so let’s break down each crucial step and why it’s important.
#1 Identifying the Current State of Your IT Systems
We start by popping the hood and having a scout around. We document each server, drive, laptop, mobile device, and software solutions / systems being used. These items are called data assets, because they either touch or store your valuable data. Everything we find is carefully noted and investigated, including the processes associated with your data assets and the way your team engages with the assets available to them. This includes things like your backup schedule or contingency plans for outages. Plus how your team engages with everything available to them. Once we know the lay of the land we can make better recommendations for improvement.
#2 Conducting an Infrastructure Audit
Cybersecurity is our bread and butter, and it’s our favourite part of the work we do. That’s why we focus an entire section of our IT systems audit on this area in particular. We align our audits with the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s Essential Eight approach, and we’ve always got our finger on the pulse when it comes to world-class security.
#3 Auditing Cybersecurity Measures
Cyber security is our bread and butter, and it’s our favourite part of the work we do. Because of this, we focus an entire section of our audits on it. We align our audits with the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s Essential Eight Approach, so we know we’ve got our eye on what’s world class in security.
#4 Providing Increased Reliability Recommendations
Now for the fun part – recommendations and solutions. We’ll usually start with areas that we feel can be improved when it comes to reliability. Sometimes, these are small improvements that we consider to be quick wins (like changing your data plan or relocating equipment within your work area). Other times, more substantial changes might be needed to get you where you need to be.
#5 Detailing Improvements to Build Reliable Security
This is one that you’ll want to pay close attention to. Aside from keeping your customers’ and your team’s data secure and free from cyberattacks, insurers are also placing greater importance and parameters around cybersecurity. Insurers conduct risk assessments to determine your eligibility, cover and premiums – taking into account factors like the quality and reputation of your data assets, your network security, staff practices and programs. It literally pays to get this right!
#6 Finding Opportunities to Enhance the Efficiency of Your IT Systems
You’ll notice we’ve talked a lot about reliability so far, and it feeds into this step too, but so does the way in which you use your IT systems. Technology is constantly evolving and as such, automated processes and integrations between systems are also improving. For the sake of your team’s productivity, as well as maintenance and other ongoing costs, making sure your systems are cost and process-efficient is critical.
#7 Leading the Conversation
So, the work is all but done, and now it’s time to run through everything. Our team takes pride in being approachable IT consultants that will lay it all out in a way that’s easy to digest. We’ll talk you through what we feel is the best approach to achieve the outcomes you’re seeking. By taking stock of what you and your team would see as a win and understanding what success looks like, we can deploy a solution that meets your needs. We’ll also be geeking out as much as possible on the solution we work on, so you know you’re getting a passionate Perth-based team that wants the best result for your business.
In an ideal world, your IT systems are absolute best practice in all aspects, from the perfect alignment of your data cables (check out our Instagram feed to see what we mean) to the induction of new staff to the business when we’re not even on site. However, we also know that these things sometimes just need a bit of practical common sense. Many businesses need a tiered approach to suit their budget, their schedule or their appetite for change. So, we’ll always work to prioritise the most pressing concerns first, and pace the rollout to work for you.
Interested to see how this translates in the real world? Learn a little more about our processes and the work we do by checking out our work with Mead Medical.
We’re ready and waiting to get started on an audit for your business. Plus – they’re free! So why not give us a bell today?