If you only hear from your IT company when it’s time to renew the contract, you’re putting your business at risk.

Whether you’re running a shipyard in Pascagoula, an accounting firm in Gulfport, or a retail store in Mobile, your technology and cybersecurity setup should never be “set it and forget it.” Threats evolve fast—especially here on the Gulf Coast, where storms and cyberattacks can strike without much warning.

Regular IT check-ins aren’t just smart—they’re essential for any Gulf Coast business that wants to stay secure, compliant, and competitive.

The problem? Most business owners don’t know what to ask.

That’s why we’ve created a list of 7 key questions you should ask your IT support provider every quarter—especially if you’re relying on managed IT services to protect your operations.

1. Are There Any Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities We Need To Fix Right Now?

Just like hurricane prep, cybersecurity is all about staying ahead of trouble. Ask your IT provider:

• Is our antivirus software current and effective?
• Are there any unpatched or outdated systems?
• Have there been any close calls or suspicious activity recently?

Proactive cybersecurity is the best way to avoid downtime and disaster.

2. Are Our Backups Working—and Have They Been Tested Recently?

Here on the Gulf Coast, we know the value of backup plans. Your data backups should be no different.

• When was the last full restore test?
• Are we using secure cloud or hybrid backup solutions?
• Are we backing up everything that matters?

Far too many businesses think they’re backed up—until they lose everything.

3. Are Employees Following Cybersecurity Best Practices?

All it takes is one wrong click to compromise your entire network.

Ask:

• Have there been any unusual logins or suspicious behavior?
• Do we need a refresher on phishing scam awareness?
• Are we using multi-factor authentication (MFA) across the board?

A good managed IT services provider will monitor this for you—and let you know before it becomes a problem.

4. Is Our Network Performance Slowing Us Down?

Laggy systems don’t just frustrate your team—they cost you time and money.

• Are we seeing recurring performance issues?
• Are we outgrowing any hardware or software tools?
• Is there anything we can optimize for faster performance?

IT support should help your business run smoother, not slower.

5. Are We Still Compliant With Industry Regulations?

If your Gulf Coast business handles financial, health, or customer data, compliance matters.

• Are we still compliant with HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR, or other standards?
• Have any regulatory requirements changed?
• Do we need to update policies, cybersecurity tools, or employee training?

Compliance violations can mean massive fines—and reputational damage you don’t need.

6. What IT Costs Should We Plan for Next Quarter?

Your IT provider should help you budget smarter—not surprise you with last-minute expenses.

Ask:

• Any upcoming software license renewals?
• Is any of our equipment nearing end-of-life?
• Are there planned projects or upgrades we should know about?

Proper planning = no financial surprises.

7. Are We Behind On Cybersecurity or Technology Trends?

Falling behind in IT security isn’t just inefficient—it’s dangerous.

Ask your provider:

• Are there cybersecurity best practices we haven’t implemented?
• Are we meeting industry benchmarks for performance and protection?
• What are other local businesses doing that we aren’t?
• Are there any emerging threats we should be watching?

A proactive IT support team will keep you ahead of the curve—not playing catch-up.

If You’re Not Having These Conversations, It’s Time for a New IT Partner

If your current provider isn’t offering quarterly check-ins—or can’t clearly answer these questions—it might be time to consider new IT support or cybersecurity services for your Gulf Coast business.

We offer free cybersecurity assessments for businesses across the Gulf Coast. Whether you’re based in Biloxi, Baton Rouge, or Bayou La Batre, we’ll help you understand what’s working, what’s vulnerable, and how to secure your systems before the next big threat.

For more information:

📲 CALL 504-334-TECH | 📨 EMAIL contact@technologyedge.com

📆 SCHEDULE an appointment https://calendly.com/techedgezenzer