How to Winter-Proof Your IT Systems

Written by:

Joe Rechichi

Introduction

As temperatures begin to drop, it is not uncommon to find your IT systems heating up with issues you weren‘t prepared for. Winter storms, seasonal changes and inclement weather can mean threats to small business infrastructure. Power outages, water damage, network failure and security risks could mean the end of an otherwise successful small business and for many companies, one storm means lost productivity, corrupted data and costly downtime.

This guide will provide you with actionable and practical methods for getting your IT systems winter–ready and prepared to operate successfully, whatever the season throws your way.

Backup Power Solutions

Why It Is Important: Usually, when winter storms occur, there are chances of power outages. Even a brief power outage may cause sensitive electronics to fail, corrupt data and leave your business offline for hours.

What You Can Do:

Purchase UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply): This can provide a buffer to your systems during a power outage and allow for safe shutdown processes or a backup power switch.
Consider Generator or Battery Backup Equipment: Rescue your most essential systems for a longer period of power outage. You could also consider a battery backup system.
Surge Protectors: Make sure you are purchasing surge protection, as even short power outages can cause voltage spikes that can damage your hardware when power returns.

Cloud Versus Local Storage

The Winter Question: If your on-premise server is down or you experience an office power outage, how are you able to ensure your team can access that must-have data?

Best Practices:

Cloud Storage = Remote and Accessible: Using cloud options like OneDrive, Google Workspace or Dropbox ensures your team can still access files from anywhere, even if the office loses power, local files may become inaccessible.
Hybrid Approach: A combination of both local and cloud backups. Local storage is ideal for quick restores, while cloud storage provides redundancy and disaster recovery options.
Automating Sync: Ensure that files are backed up consistently, preventing reliance on manual uploads at critical moments.

Things To Remember: Just because something is in the cloud does not mean it is safe… Ensure secure access through multi-factor authentication (MFA) and then add endpoint security software.

Network Stability Suggestions

When the Internet is down, work is down. With working from home and relying on SaaS solutions, an outage is more than an inconvenience-it can lock down your business. Solutions:

Redundant Internet Connections: Dual-WAN (2-WAN) connections with 2 ISPs (Internet Service Providers). If one ISP fails, all traffic will automatically route through the other ISP.
4G/5G Mobile Hotspot Failover: Have a 4G/5G backup router (or hotspot) that can be used as a secondary connection.
Network Management Software: Network management tools will help to prioritize your bandwidth for critical apps.

Pro Tip: Test out your failover before the storms come…. You don’t want your first time using it to be an emergency.

Security Precautions during a Storm Period

Storms Bring Out Disregarded Vulnerabilities.
Sometimes, bad weather can bring unexpected IT vulnerabilities to light. From remote access threats to outdated firmware, storms often reveal IT vulnerabilities you have neglected.

Actions to take:

Audit and update firewall rules: Ensure that no unnecessary ports are left open, reducing potential vulnerabilities.
Patch, patch, patch! Apply software and firmware updates to routers, firewalls, servers, and endpoints to maintain security and stability.
Remote monitoring: Even if you can’t take direct action, monitoring tools can alert you to unusual activity and potential issues.
Physical security: Ensure server rooms are dry, above floor level, and climate-controlled. Flood threats and condensation can pose serious risks.

How I Can Help (Winter Special)!

Winter-izing your IT systems may seem complicated, but it is easier than you think. I deliver tailored solutions for small businesses. These services include:

- - Power and UPS configurations: Ensure systems have reliable power backup solutions to prevent downtime during outages.
  - Cloud migration and backup planning: Develop a strategy for moving data to the cloud while maintaining secure and efficient backups.
  - Network redundancy settings: Configure failover mechanisms to keep connectivity stable in case of network disruptions.
  - Security audits and patch management: Regularly assess security measures and apply critical updates to protect against vulnerabilities.

Winter Promo:

📉 10% OFF all setup services — charged on an hourly basis. Book a session before July 31st and let’s weather-proof your systems!

Conclusion:

Don’t wait until your lights go out in a power cut, and you’re fumbling in the dark, or you have had a crash and you have lost all your hard work. By planning now, you will avoid hours of panic and thousands in losses down the road.

If you’re ready to implement measures to protect your systems and make your business winter-ready, contact me today. I am Joe from Joe’s IT Solutions, and will do my utmost to guarantee that your access to technology will be unaffected, so you can ensure that your business thrives no matter what the weather brings.

📞 Get in touch with me today to discuss starting with a winter-readiness assessment exercise.