Five Important Things To Add In Your 2020 Technology Budget

This season is a budget for many companies. As technology continues to evolve, there are almost too many options to choose what should be included in your budget, especially if you integrate considerations such as virtual meetings and remote work into the mix. Here are some key things you need.

1. Update old servers and desktops

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 will expire in January 2020. It's time to replace these old devices finally!

The end of the service (sometimes called "end of life" or "end of support") means that Microsoft is no longer compatible with the product or does not release security fixes. If you continue to use products after the end of your service, you are vulnerable to massive vulnerabilities.

If you need to upgrade your servers, consider a cloud-based option such as Microsoft Azure. As a result, costs have gone from a high initial capital expense to a manageable monthly operating expense.

With Microsoft 365 Business, you can use Azure for hosted desktops (which means you can access a full Windows desktop from a tablet such as an iPad). This is a great option for managers, vendors or seasonal / contract workers.

2. Multi-factor authentication and other cybersecurity requirements

Ten years ago, I would not be using the Internet without antivirus software. The majority of cybersecurity threats were viruses that are believed to cause chaos. Today's cybersecurity threats are more about accessing and using your account for the money.

This is the best way to protect your business to implement multifactor authentication (MFA) for your users. Think of it as antivirus protection today. Help protect your account if someone receives your password.

If you don't have it yet, add multifactor authentication to your 2020 budget and plan to activate it as soon as possible. If you still have a budget this year, get it now, it is very important. According to Microsoft, MFA activation blocks 99.9% of automatic attacks.

It is also recommended that you add other cybersecurity requirements, such as advanced Office 365 threat protection (ATP checks links and attachments for malicious content in your email and cloud storage) and conditional access (a device You can only connect to one account) if certain conditions are met).

3. Training and safety tests.

Their employees are often the first line of defence in their cybersecurity strategy and the weakest link. Most people simply don't know what to look for, especially when threats change so quickly.

For your organization to be less vulnerable, you must include office internet security training and testing in your 2020 budget. This should be an annual problem. Be smart about the type of training you do: a one-hour training session will not be enough. Learn about continuing education options to keep your employees safe without interrupting their daily routines.

Cybersecurity tests, such as sending fake phishing emails to your employees, help you determine which employees need more additional training and where you may need to take more stringent security measures. As with the training, the tests should be continuous, just because someone has not clicked on a potentially dangerous email this time will not be updated in a few months.

4. Remote work tools.

As the cloud grows, the tools that allow your employees to collaborate from anywhere and on any device become more affordable and accessible.

If your company continues to save work on a physical server and communicates only by email, you may be able to increase productivity and efficiency. For example, if you replace physical and VPN servers with cloud file storage and cloud-based office programs (such as Word, PowerPoint and Excel as part of Office 365), employees can work and collaborate on files from any place. With chat programs for companies such as Microsoft Teams and Slack, employees can quickly communicate one-on-one or in groups (both are free).

Now see what options might be appropriate for your business so you can include migration and licensing costs in your 2020 budget. If you don't know about where to start, contact a cloud specialist (for example, a Microsoft partner).

If you are already using cloud-based tools, look for other ways to use the tools you already need to increase productivity. Like, if your company has Office 365, you probably already have a number of tools that you don't use. All you have to do is plan the time to prepare it.

5. Meeting rooms (physical and virtual)

Because most of our work is done remotely, it is important that your meeting rooms are not left behind. Your remote and on-site staff should be able to collaborate and communicate as if they were sitting next to each other at the desk.

This Forbes article lists five reasons why your company should prefer video conferencing. Consider updating your cameras in your meeting rooms (Logitech and Lenovo are excellent systems).

Meanwhile, check the telephone equipment in your meeting rooms. Have you ever answered a conference call with little sound? It's really hard to stay engaged! Yealink and Logitech offer several economical (but reliable) options to ensure the success of your conference call.

Also Read: What Is The Need Of Firewall And It’s Protection?