IT equipment Do you have access to all the passwords and detailed information on the composition of your computer network ?* Réponse 1 de la question 18 Excellent, this is good thing, but, make sure that this information is stored securely (in a directory on the server to which only you have access). Also, make sure that this information is kept up to date.
Réponse 2 de la question 18 As the owner or manager of a SME, you should always have access to the critical passwords (server, router, firewall, and more) of your infrastructures as well as information on the composition of your network. Although you do not personaly need it, this information belongs to you and it is essential that you have access to it, in order to faciliate a possible transition of IT provider (either an internal employee or a consulting firm).
Réponse 3 de la question 18 As the owner or manager of an SME this is critical information and you should confirm with the person who is currently maintaining your IT infrastructure that you have access to this information. Although you do not personaly need it, this information belongs to you and it is essential that you have access to it, in order to faciliate a possible transition of IT provider (either an internal employee or a consulting firm).
Do you have a password policy in place within your business, to ensure the complexity of passwords and ensure that they are changed regularly?* Réponse 1 de la question 19 Excellent, this is a good thing, it prevents malicious people accessing data to which they are not allowed. Make sure that this good practice is maintained.
Réponse 2 de la question 19 A password policy is necessary to protect your data and the confidentiality of all your systems by ensuring that unauthorized persons cannot access your computer systems. Failure to have such a policy companies are exposed to several risks such as the loss or theft of data, financial loss or loss of reputation towards customers, suppliers or shareholders.
Réponse 3 de la question 19 As the owner or manager of a small business you should confirm this information with the person who is currently maintaning your computer network. A password policy is necessary to protect your data and the confidentiality of all your systems by ensuring that unauthorized persons cannot access your computer systems. Failing to have such a policy companies are exposed to several risks such as the loss or theft of data, financial loss or loss of reputation toward customers, suppliers or shareholders.
In general, are your computer equipment recent ?* Réponse 1 de la question 20 Excellent, that's a good thing. Having recent equipment at the cutting edge of technology reduces the risk of breakdowns and also increases employee productivity.
Réponse 2 de la question 20 Note that the more the equipment are old, the more the risk of breakdowns increase and the more they are slow, two situations that directly affect employees productivity. It is therefore recommended to purchase equipment at the cutting edge of technology. What may be considered initialy as an expense may instead prove to be an excellent investment.
Réponse 3 de la question 20 Note that the more the equipment are old, the more the risk of breakdowns increase and the more they are slow, two situations that directly affect employees productivity. It is therefore recommended to purchase equipment at the cutting edge of technology. What may be considered initialy as an expense may instead prove to be an excellent investment.
Réponse 4 de la question 20 As the owner or manager of a small business you should confirm this information with the person who is currently maintaining your computer network. Note that the more the equipment are old, the more the risk of breakdowns increase and the more they are slow, two situations that directly affect employees productivity. It is therefore recommended to purchase equipment at the cutting edge of technology. What may be considered initialy as an expense may instead prove to be an excellent investment.
Is your critical equipment covered by a manufacturer's warranty?* Réponse 1 de la question 21 Excellent, that's a good thing, having its critical equipment covered by the manufacturer's warrantly means you are able to quickly get parts to repair faulty equipment, and it gives you access to specialized support if necessary.
Réponse 2 de la question 21 Excellent, that's a good thing, having its critical equipment covered by the manufacturer's warrantly means you are able to quickly get parts to repair faulty equipment, and it gives you access to specialized support if necessary. However, it is recommended to extend the warrantly of the equipment that are no longer covered. Otherwise, make sure that the equipment that are no longer covered are not critical to your operations, ensure that spare parts are available and espacially make sure that a good business continuity plan is in place.
Réponse 3 de la question 21 It is recommended to extend the warranty of the equipment that are no longer covered. If this is not possible, you should start to consider investing in your infrastructure. Otherwise, ensure that spare parts are available and especially make sure that a good business continuity plan is in place. Working with critical equipment that are no longer covered by a manufacturer's warranty can cause delays in getting spare parts which complicates the return to normal of your critical applications and data.
Réponse 4 de la question 21 As the owner or manager of an SME it is a critical element and you should confirm this with the person who is currently maintaning your computer network. Working with critical equipment that are no longer covered by a manufacturer's warranty can cause delays in getting spare parts which complicates the return to normal of your critical applications and data.
Is the status of your critical equipment monitored closely ?* Example: hardware resources, event logs
Réponse 1 de la question 22 Excellent, this is a good thing, monitoring critical equipment may prevent major failures, and also allow you to know the state of your critical systems almost in real time.
Réponse 2 de la question 22 It is highly recommended to use professional tools to monitor your critical equipment. Monitoring allows the person maintaning your computer network to be informed almost instantly of all failures or any problems with the equipment in place allowing in many cases to prevent breakdowns or at least to take action quickly in order to ensuring maximum employee productivity.
Réponse 3 de la question 22 As the owner or manager of a small business you should confirm this information with the person who is currently maintaning your computer network. If this is not done, it is highly recommended to use professional tools to monitor your critical equipment. Monitoring allows the person maintaning your computer network to be informed almost instantly of all failures or any problems with the equipment in place allowing in many cases to prevent breakdowns or at least to take action quickly in order to ensuring maximum employee productivity.
