We’ve all been tempted to take shortcuts when it comes to technology. Need to set something up quickly? Skip a few steps. Want to save money? Use the free option. But when it comes to IT, the “quick fix” almost always costs you more in the long run.
Here are five common IT shortcuts businesses take—and what you should do instead.
1. Reusing the Same Password Everywhere
It feels convenient, but it’s also one of the fastest ways to get hacked. If one account gets breached, all your accounts are exposed.
What to do instead: Use a password manager to create and store unique passwords. Pair it with multi-factor authentication for added security.
2. Skipping Regular Backups
Backing up data manually—or worse, not at all—saves a little time… until disaster strikes. Hardware failures, ransomware, or accidental deletions can wipe out everything.
What to do instead: Automate your backups. Store them both in the cloud and locally. And most importantly—test them regularly to make sure they actually work.
3. Using Outdated Hardware and Software
“We’ll replace it next year” often turns into three years. Old systems run slowly, crash more often, and are full of security holes.
What to do instead: Build IT upgrades into your budget. Replacing outdated tools proactively is cheaper than losing days of productivity or facing a breach.
4. Ignoring Software Updates
Those little pop-ups are easy to dismiss. But every skipped update leaves your systems open to known vulnerabilities.
What to do instead: Enable automatic updates whenever possible. For critical business systems, schedule updates outside of work hours to avoid disruption.
5. Relying on “Break-Fix” IT Support
Waiting until something breaks before calling for help feels cheaper—until downtime grinds your business to a halt.
What to do instead: Shift to proactive, managed IT support. Regular monitoring and maintenance prevent problems before they happen and save you money over time.
Final Thought:
Shortcuts may feel efficient in the moment, but in IT, they’re expensive mistakes waiting to happen. With the right processes and support, you can keep your systems safe, fast, and reliable—without the hidden costs.