Two men discussing IT questions with icons of security, money, server, and alerts around them in a business setting

7 Questions You Should Be Asking Your IT Provider Every Quarter (But Probably Aren’t)

June 09, 2025

Technology isn't a one-and-done project. It changes fast—and so do the threats that come with it. That's why quarterly IT check-ins aren't optional if you want your business to stay secure, efficient, and competitive.

But let's be honest—most business owners don't know what to ask.

So here's your cheat sheet: 7 questions you should be asking your IT provider every quarter. No tech jargon. No fluff. Just clear answers that protect your business.

1. Are There Any Security Risks We Need to Fix Right Now?
Ask about:

  • Unpatched systems

  • Outdated antivirus

  • Any red flags or near misses
    If you don't ask, you won't know until it's too late.

2. Are Our Backups Working—and Have You Tested Them?
Ask:

  • When was our last test restore?

  • Are backups off-site, in the cloud, or hybrid?

  • Are we backing up the right stuff, securely?

Backups that seem fine don't count. You need proof.

3. Is Everyone on Our Team Following Security Best Practices?
Ask:

  • Any signs of risky logins or behaviors?

  • Do we need a refresher on phishing awareness?

  • Is multifactor authentication enforced?

Human error is still the biggest threat—stay ahead of it.

4. Is Our Network Slowing Us Down?
Ask:

  • Are performance issues piling up?

  • Are we overdue for hardware or software upgrades?

  • Any optimizations we're missing?

Even minor slowdowns kill productivity. Fix them fast.

5. Are We Still Compliant with Industry Regulations?
Ask about HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or whatever standards apply to your business:

  • Are we still in compliance?

  • Have any requirements changed recently?

  • Do policies or tools need updating?

Noncompliance = fines + legal headaches. Avoid both.

6. What Should We Budget for Next Quarter?
Ask:

  • What's expiring?

  • What's aging out?

  • What should we upgrade or prepare for?

Planning ahead beats surprise expenses every time.

7. Are We Falling Behind on Any IT or Cybersecurity Trends?
Ask:

  • Are we missing out on better tools or protections?

  • Are there new threats we should know about?

  • What are other smart businesses doing that we're not?

If you're not adapting, you're falling behind.

If You're Not Having These Conversations, That's a Red Flag.

An IT provider that doesn't proactively answer these questions isn't protecting your business—they're just reacting after something breaks.

We believe in fixing problems before they start. That's why we offer FREE Security Assessments for businesses in Irvine, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and surrounding cities in Orange County.

Let's find out where your risks are—and how to fix them.