How Do You Move Your Business to the Cloud?

Over the last two decades, the internet has spread to nearly every household and business in the country. As a result, everything about the way people find, access, and use information has changed – including how people run their businesses. Moving your business to the cloud does not have to be a daunting task. Here are the steps along with some tips and tricks.

#1 – Educate Yourself

Before you decide to jump right into the cloud, be sure that you take the time to understand what cloud computing really means. Familiarize yourself with all of the various terminology and the different services that are available to you. What’s more, get to know the apps you need. To do this, identify which applications are driving your business and which you might be able to exchange for other apps that provide the same services. Some applications do not work very well in a cloud situation because of the way they’re designed. Once you understand which apps work best in a cloud environment, you can determine whether cloud computing is the right choice for you.

#2 – Find the Right Provider

The next step in the process of moving your business to the cloud involves finding a provider that is the right fit for your business. Not all providers are created equal, and you’ll need one that offers you all of the backend support you’ll need. In some cases, companies charge extra fees for support services, so be sure to look into this before you begin. What’s more, if your company will be changing applications to suit the cloud computing strategy, chances are good that you’ll need some training on these applications. Many providers will offer this basic training to you and your employees at no additional cost.

#3 – Look for Cloud-in-a-Box Solutions

There are two different types of cloud-in-a-box solutions that might make sense for your company. For example, if you want to provide the specified hardware and infrastructure, you can save some money in the long run, but you will be responsible for the provision, updating, and maintenance of your equipment. You can also choose a complete cloud in a box, which includes all of the infrastructure – servers, networks, and data center included. This is a great option when you want someone else to manage maintenance and updates, and it provides everything that employees and developers would ever want.

#4 – Set the Right Expectations with Employees

Your employees – including your IT department – may be a little reluctant to embrace such a big change. However, by setting the right expectations with them up front, you can make the entire process simpler. If most of the apps you use are cloud-capable, very little will change other than the way your employees log in to use their applications. On the other hand, if you will be switching apps, you may need to provide training. Over time, your employees will come to appreciate the many benefits of cloud computing, including the ability to access business-related apps from home and on the go.

Moving your business to the cloud may or may not cause several changes to take place throughout your company. Nonetheless, learning to use new software or login processes are well worth the savings that you can enjoy by switching your applications or even your infrastructure to the cloud.

June 17, 2025
Meeting IT security compliance standards is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive data, particularly in industries such as healthcare, finance, defense, and e-commerce. Regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS, and GDPR exist to help ensure businesses protect customer information and maintain robust cybersecurity practices. Unfortunately, many organizations fall short of these requirements, often due to common, avoidable mistakes. These gaps can result in costly fines, data breaches, and reputational damage, which can significantly impact the business's bottom line and customer trust. 1. Failing to Conduct Regular Risk Assessments The Pitfall: Many businesses overlook the importance of conducting routine risk assessments. Without these, it’s challenging to identify vulnerabilities or evaluate whether your current cybersecurity controls meet compliance standards. How to Avoid It: Implement a regular risk assessment schedule. Work with a qualified IT provider to evaluate your systems, identify weaknesses, and document remediation plans. These assessments should be performed at least annually, or whenever significant changes to the system occur. 2. Inadequate Employee Training The Pitfall: Your employees are your first line of defense—and often your most significant vulnerability. A common compliance issue arises when businesses fail to train staff on cybersecurity best practices or on handling sensitive data appropriately. How to Avoid It: Invest in ongoing cybersecurity awareness training. Ensure employees understand how to recognize phishing emails, create strong passwords, and report any suspicious activity. Training should be updated regularly to reflect current threats and compliance requirements. 3. Improper Data Handling and Storage The Pitfall: Storing sensitive data in unsecured locations, failing to encrypt information, or retaining data longer than necessary are significant compliance risks. These practices are often flagged during audits. How to Avoid It: Adopt data classification policies that define how different types of data should be handled; encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit. Establish clear data retention policies and ensure that obsolete data is disposed of securely. 4. Lack of Incident Response Planning The Pitfall: When a security incident occurs, time is of the essence. Many businesses lack a documented incident response plan, or their existing plan hasn’t been thoroughly tested. This can lead to delayed responses, increased damage, and regulatory penalties. How to Avoid It: Develop a formal incident response plan that includes roles, responsibilities, communication protocols, and steps for containment and recovery. Run simulated breach scenarios with your IT team to ensure everyone knows how to respond effectively. 5. Using Outdated Software or Systems The Pitfall: Running outdated operating systems, software, or firmware is a common issue that can lead to compliance failures. Unsupported technologies are more vulnerable to exploitation. How to Avoid It: Keep all systems and applications up to date with the latest patches. Use automated tools to track software versions and receive alerts about end-of-life technologies. Schedule regular maintenance windows to apply updates and upgrades. 6. Insufficient Access Controls The Pitfall: Allowing too many employees access to sensitive data—or failing to revoke access when it’s no longer needed—can lead to data breaches and non-compliance. How to Avoid It: Implement role-based access controls and follow the principle of least privilege. This principle means that each user should have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to ensure access is current and appropriate. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an additional layer of protection. 7. Neglecting Third-Party Vendor Risks The Pitfall: Businesses often overlook the fact that their compliance responsibilities extend to third-party vendors. If a vendor mishandles your data, you could still be held accountable. How to Avoid It: Vet third-party vendors carefully. Ensure they meet the same compliance standards as your business and include security requirements in your contracts. Conduct periodic audits or request compliance certifications from your vendors. 8. Failing to Document Policies and Procedures The Pitfall: Even if your security practices are strong, failing to document your compliance policies can result in audit failures. Regulators want to see evidence that you have formal processes in place. How to Avoid It: Create and maintain clear documentation for all compliance-related policies, including data protection, access control, incident response, and employee training. Make these documents easily accessible for audits and regularly review them to ensure updates are current. Conclusion Compliance with IT security standards is not a one-time project—it requires ongoing attention, regular updates, and a proactive approach to maintain effectiveness. By understanding and addressing these common pitfalls, your business can stay ahead of regulatory requirements, strengthen its security posture, and reduce the risk of costly incidents. This ongoing attention is crucial to maintaining your business's security and audit readiness. If you’re unsure whether your business is meeting current IT compliance standards, professional support can help. Contact SDTEK today to schedule a compliance assessment and learn how our IT services can keep your business secure and audit-ready. With our support, you can navigate the complex landscape of IT security compliance with confidence.
April 9, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, cybersecurity isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you run a small startup or a growing enterprise in Fort Wayne , protecting your business’s data, systems, and clients is essential for long-term success. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, cyber threats are evolving every day, and the best way to stay ahead of them is by partnering with a reliable IT services provider that understands the unique needs of local businesses. Here’s why investing in professional business IT support is one of the smartest decisions Fort Wayne businesses can make—and how working with SDTEK helps protect your operations, your data, and your reputation.