Data is your most valuable asset in today's digital workplace, and you need to know how to get the most out of your IT. However, what you need to know may differ. You don't need to know everything about your IT if you can trust your CIO, whether you're prioritizing the security of your day-to-day IT operations or you're preparing for quick expansion.
However, in this age of data-driven decision-making, there are some critical aspects of your IT that you should be aware of. Here are the seven most important questions to ask your CIO right now.
1. How responsive are we to downtime?
Maintaining a proactive cybersecurity posture is critical with new threats emerging every day. However, cyber threats are only one source of downtime. Downtime can be caused by server outages, hardware issues, or human error.
Inquire with your CIO about how you defend your company against IT outages, and assess your strategy on a frequent basis. Users of Microsoft Azure, for example, can make use of geo-replication and failover groups.
2. Is our data secure? If so, how?
Your CIO should be aware of the extensive security measures in place to safeguard your sensitive data. Secure data is critical in an age of increased threat and reliance on technology.
Data hazards are increasingly known to investors, potential clients, and customers. You must be able to answer cybersecurity questions without consulting the guidebook.
3. Are we GDPR compliant?
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) took effect on May 25, 2018. Businesses that fail to comply might face fines of up to 4% of their global revenue.
It is your responsibility as a business leader to guarantee that your company is GDPR compliant. Inquire with your CIO about your present compliance status, and do everything you can to expedite the process given the consequences of non-compliance.
4. Are we encrypting our cloud data?
A hybrid-cloud strategy was predicted to be used by 67 percent of businesses last year. On-premise servers do not have straightforward ways to encrypt data, whereas cloud companies do.
If you're a hybrid-cloud company, solutions like Microsoft Azure's Key Vault will almost certainly encrypt your cloud data. Your most dangerous asset is your on-premise data.
5. Should we be deploying virtual desktops?
With flexible working becoming more common in the workplace, it's critical to ensure that your technology is accessible outside of the office. Inquire with your CIO about deploying virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI).
VDI allows your staff to access their "virtual workplace" from any PC while maintaining security. You can manage data compliance and keep sensitive information off user devices and safely stored in your cloud portal by managing subscriptions from the source.
6. How can we get the most out of our data?
Transparent data analysis is one of the most significant advantages of cloud implementation. Microsoft Azure, for example, has created simple analytical tools such as Power BI.
Make sure your company is getting the most out of the data it collects and that you know how to put information into action.
7. How quickly can our IT scale?
Scaling up or down swiftly in times of economic volatility is important to corporate success. Inquire with your CIO about whether or not your IT is prepared to react to rapid business changes, and vice versa.
Cloud companies frequently utilize a pay-per-use subscription model, which allows you to swiftly add and remove users without having to pay for more than you need.
Always stay one step ahead
IT in the business world is always changing. Given the importance of IT to today's corporate performance, you should be implementing it in the most effective and adaptable manner feasible.
Turn to the cloud and deploy virtual desktops for extreme agility without compromising security when dealing with compliance, data security issues, and economic turmoil.
If you want to learn more about how RCS Professional Services can help you stay one step ahead, contact us at info@rcsprofessional.com or visit our website www.rcsprofessional.com.
