The middle of the year is the ideal time to take a serious look at your business’s IT infrastructure. Many organizations set their IT budgets and goals at the start of the year but fail to revisit them until something goes wrong. A mid-year tech check helps you stay proactive instead of reactive. It can reduce downtime, improve productivity, and uncover hidden risks that could cost you far more if ignored. Whether your business has an in-house IT department or you rely on a managed service provider, this evaluation should not be skipped.
Start by reviewing the performance and reliability of your hardware. Check your workstations, laptops, servers, printers, and network devices. Are any of them showing signs of wear, lag, or failure? Is everything still under warranty or covered by a support plan? Devices that are more than three to five years old may no longer be worth repairing and can pose security risks if they are no longer receiving firmware updates. Look at whether your employees are using devices that still meet the demands of their roles. Slow or outdated machines often lead to reduced output and growing frustration.
Your next focus should be on network health. Mid-year is a good time to run tests on bandwidth usage, connection stability, and internal speeds. If your team is complaining about slow internet, dropped calls, or lagging applications, dig into the root cause. It may be time to upgrade your router, install a managed switch, or rework your cabling layout. Check for unauthorized devices connected to the network and remove any that are not essential. Confirm that your guest network is separate from your primary network to avoid security gaps.
Assess your backup and disaster recovery systems. A surprising number of businesses either do not have backups or have not tested them. Backups that have not been tested cannot be trusted. Review your backup schedule and confirm that it matches the data loss tolerance and recovery goals your business requires. Check that backups are running automatically, stored off-site or in the cloud, and encrypted. Perform a test restore on a file or system image to make sure you can recover your data in the event of failure or attack. Update documentation related to your recovery plan so it reflects current systems and contact information.
Examine your cybersecurity posture. Threats are evolving constantly and what protected your business six months ago may no longer be effective. Make sure your antivirus and endpoint protection tools are up to date. Review the status of firewalls and access control systems. Look for any open ports or outdated software that might be exposing you to risk. Check user access levels to confirm that employees only have the permissions they need to perform their jobs. Too many businesses allow administrator access by default which greatly increases the impact of a successful breach. Review phishing training and internal policies for handling sensitive data. If you have not done so this year, consider running a simulated phishing test to see how your team responds and where improvements are needed.
Evaluate your software licenses and subscriptions. Unused software eats up your budget and can also create security concerns if left unpatched. On the other hand, you may find that you are lacking tools that would help your staff work more efficiently. Review how your business is using productivity platforms, CRM systems, accounting software, and communication tools. Eliminate what you do not need and invest in tools that align with how your team works. Check that all your software is up to date and receiving security patches from the vendor.
Take a fresh look at remote work tools and policies. If any part of your team works from home or on the road, you need secure and reliable systems in place. Check VPN performance, remote desktop stability, and mobile device access rules. Make sure remote employees are using company-approved devices and following the same security protocols as on-site workers. If remote users are connecting from personal devices, consider whether mobile device management or conditional access policies are necessary to protect your network.
Look at your physical infrastructure as well. Is your server closet properly ventilated? Are network cables labeled and organized or tangled and unlabeled? Are power supplies connected to surge protection and battery backups? Neglected physical setups can be a weak point in your system and lead to avoidable outages or hardware damage. Consider a walk-through audit to spot issues that may have been overlooked.
Check your IT documentation. Every system should have up-to-date records on configuration, users, licenses, warranties, and service agreements. Make sure contact info for vendors, providers, and support services is current and easily accessible. Your documentation should also include processes for onboarding and offboarding employees. When a staff member leaves, failing to revoke access to systems quickly can leave doors open to unintentional or malicious activity.
If you work with a managed IT service provider, schedule a mid-year review with them. Ask about performance metrics, incident response times, and pending updates. Make sure they understand your business goals and that your technology plan aligns with them. If you are not currently working with a provider but are overwhelmed by the number of issues uncovered during your check, it may be time to consider outsourcing IT support. A good provider will help you identify risks, improve efficiency, and ensure compliance with industry regulations.
A mid-year tech check is not just about fixing what is broken. It is about building resilience, planning ahead, and ensuring that your IT infrastructure supports your goals. Technology should be an asset, not a liability. The middle of the year is your opportunity to pause, assess, and correct course before minor issues become major setbacks.
