One of the Biggest Mistakes a Company Can Make Is Failure to Include Technology as Part of its Overall Business Strategy

If there’s one thing that’s certain, it’s the fact that technology continues to improve every day and provides more than just an edge up over your competition. If you think about it, people who lived a century ago would look around and find this world unrecognizable. If you aren’t including technology in your business strategy, the world will soon be unrecognizable to you, too.

You’ll Work Harder

Technology can do a lot for your business. It can keep things organized. It can keep track of the number of hours your employees worked, and it can even finish payroll on its own. It can help you and your team better manage products, keep track of client information, and process online orders. If you think about it, failing to include technology in your business plan means you’ll end up working that much harder in the long run. The better the technology you choose to include, the more time you can spend where it counts – managing your company and your team.

You’ll Make More Mistakes

You are only human, and that means you’ll make mistakes. However, in some cases, a mistake can cost you a small fortune. For example, if your employee’s paycheck isn’t deposited on time because you entered the wrong numbers, you’re going to have an angry employee on your hands. What’s more, if you accidentally add an extra zero to a vendor invoice, that vendor won’t be happy with you. Not only will you have to repair your relationships with these people, but you’ll also have to spend some extra time resolving the mistakes. This is another reason why it’s a huge mistake to forego technology as part of your business strategy.

Your Clients and Customers Will Go Elsewhere

It’s not so much that people want technology; these days, they’ve come to expect it. If your company can’t keep up with the digital age, but your competitor can, your clients and customers will inevitably turn their backs and move forward. For example, if you have yet to launch a mobile app that allows your customers to buy products (or any action that suits your business) but all your competitors have, your customer base won’t wait long until they move on to the company that provides them with more convenience.

Your Strategy Might Fail

Typically, business owners and advisers create strategies that look three to five years into the future. This was always a standard way to assess the future needs of a company – until now. These days, both businesses and their clients or customers rely on technology for a variety of things, from completing transactions to completing orders and even contacting customer service. If you’re not considering the technologies used to do these things and you’re still planning a strategy for three to five years in advance, you’re not doing your company any favors. Meet with your IT team, talk about the technologies that are available, and find out where you want to be in a year given that information.

Failing to include technology in your business strategy can ultimately be the demise of your company. People want and expect technology, and it’s necessary for making your company run as smoothly as possible. Each time you think about your goals, make sure you’re thinking about the impacts of technology, too.

Common IT Security Compliance Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

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.

Why Cybersecurity and Business IT Support Are Crucial for Fort Wayne Businesses

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.