The Importance Of An IT Network Assessment

March 14, 2022 | By: Scott Lard

You’ve likely heard the term “IT network assessment” and wondered if your business needs one. You’re not alone. Many business owners don’t know the ins and outs of IT network assessments, the benefits they provide, and whether to get one and when. However, businesses are increasingly reliant on IT networks to run so it’s important to make sure yours is in tip top shape. Having an IT network assessment done by a reputable IT firm can help.

Let’s break down IT network assessments so you can make the most informed choice for your business.

Network Cables/Plugs

An IT Network Assessment is a very detailed analysis of your business’s IT functionality. This report includes an outline of your IT infrastructure, how your business manages your IT, network security, internal processes, and overall performance. When you get an IT network assessment done, a professional will get a comprehensive view of the current state of your network and provide a report on any issues they find or changes that could be made to optimize performance.

Benefits of IT Network Assessments

The passage of time or any shift in how your business’s IT is handled, such as growth or relocation, can affect your company’s productivity and success. That’s why it’s important to occasionally have an IT network assessment done. Identifying growth points and having a bird’s eye view of your network can help you make important decisions. Some of the key benefits of getting an IT network assessment done include:

Identify Network Vulnerabilities

Cybersecurity risks are serious threats to any business. An IT network assessment can help your business identify areas of concern regarding network security.

Identify Performance Issues

How your network performs can affect both the short- and long-term success of your business. An IT network assessment helps identify places where your business can improve efficiency.

Optimize Resources

If you’re planning to make changes to your network, an IT network assessment can help you streamline your resources for the best possible transition and performance.

Network Assessment Tablet

Does My Business Need an IT Network Assessment?

Generally, all businesses will need to get an IT network assessment at some point. In fact, it can be beneficial to have one done periodically to ensure peak performance. However, outside of regular assessments for maintaining your IT network, there are a few points in time where it can be essential to have an assessment done. For example, if your business is migrating to the cloud, a network assessment would be a helpful way to ensure cybersecurity. If your business has grown or downsized significantly, an assessment can help optimize your resources or inform you where to upgrade. Other times your business might consider getting an IT network assessment done include a cybersecurity breach, network slowdown, major hardware upgrades, and budget evaluations.

IT network assessments are especially helpful if your business doesn’t have an IT support team or managed services provider, because they provide an in-depth look at your IT systems that would normally be managed by support providers. Even if your business has an in-house IT team, having a third-party perform an IT network assessment can help uncover concerns that might have been overlooked.

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