Most businesses only hear from their IT provider when something breaks or when it’s time to renew a contract. If that sounds familiar, here’s the uncomfortable truth:
That is not real IT support.
That’s damage control.
Technology evolves constantly. Cyber threats evolve even faster. And your business changes every single day — new staff, new processes, new tools, new vulnerabilities.
What was secure and efficient six months ago may already be outdated.
That’s why regular conversations with your IT partner aren’t optional — they’re essential.
But here’s the problem:
Most business owners don’t know what they should be asking. And many IT providers prefer it that way, because the less you ask, the less they need to answer. At Tristar Tech Solutions, routine strategic reviews are the backbone of how we prevent problems rather than patch them. Below are the seven questions every business should be discussing consistently — questions that reveal whether your IT partner is protecting you or simply keeping the lights on.
1. What vulnerabilities exist in our systems right now — and how urgently should they be fixed?
Security isn’t static — and neither are risks.
Every few months, something in your environment will shift:
- A new cyber threat emerges
- A software patch becomes available
- A device goes unprotected
- A firewall rule becomes outdated
- An old system reaches end-of-life
A responsible IT partner should be monitoring your environment and bringing issues to you — not waiting for you to ask.
important: in cybersecurity, what you see is not always what you get.
2. What is the current health of our backups — and have they been tested recently?
Backups are like seatbelts: You forget about them until the moment you desperately need them.
But backup failures are one of the leading causes of catastrophic data loss.
During regular reviews, your IT provider should be able to tell you:
- When a full restore was last tested
- Whether all critical systems are backed up
- How frequently backups run
- Whether your current strategy (cloud, hybrid, off-site) is still appropriate
- Whether ransomware-resistant backups are in place
A backup that hasn’t been tested isn’t a backup — it’s a hope.
3. Are employees following security best practices — or have there been warning signs?
The majority of breaches start with human error — not technology.
Your IT partner should be monitoring:
- Unusual login attempts
- Password habits
- MFA usage
- High-risk behaviour
- Phishing simulation results
- Devices connecting without proper protection
And importantly: They should raise concerns before you ask.
If your provider has never spoken to you about user behaviour, identity protection or staff training, that’s a signal they aren’t watching closely enough.y.
4. How is our network performing? Are slow systems affecting productivity?
Slow systems cost businesses more money than outages.
Regular IT reviews should highlight:
- Recurring performance issues
- Aging hardware that’s slowing teams down
- Bandwidth bottlenecks
- Wi-Fi coverage issues
- Cloud applications struggling during peak hours
- Software that’s past its prime
Even small optimisations can make a dramatic difference.
5. Are we still compliant with our data protection and industry requirements?
Compliance evolves. Your IT provider should help you adapt with it.
In each review, expect clarity on:
- GDPR responsibilities
- Industry-specific compliance (PCI, Cyber Essentials, ISO, etc.)
- Whether your policies need updating
- Whether access permissions are still appropriate
- Whether any systems or tools are now out of compliance
Staying compliant is always cheaper than fixing noncompliance.
6. What should we be budgeting for over the next few months?
Technology should never blindside you.
Routine discussions with your IT provider should include:
- Licences reaching renewal
- Hardware nearing replacement
- Upcoming software changes
- Long-term modernisation projects
- Cybersecurity improvements on the horizon
Good IT is proactive, not reactive — and that includes budgeting.o understand.
7. What new threats, technologies or trends should we be preparing for?
You don’t need to chase every trend — but you do need awareness of the ones that matter.
Your IT provider should regularly brief you on:
- Emerging cyber threats
- New best practices
- Changes in Microsoft 365 or cloud platforms
- Technology you’ve outgrown
- Tools that could boost productivity
- Security standards businesses your size are adopting
If your provider never brings new ideas to the table, they’re not guiding you — they’re just maintaining your status quo.
Not Having These Conversations? That’s the Real Red Flag.
If your IT provider can’t answer these questions, doesn’t offer regular reviews and only contacts you when something breaks…you’re not receiving proactive IT support.
Real IT support is not fixing things only after they fail, sending invoices without strategy or waiting for you to ask the right questions
Real IT support is:
- Consistent
- Strategic
- Preventative
- Measurable
- Transparent
- Engaged
Your business doesn’t stay still — and your IT shouldn’t either.
Ready for an IT Partner Who Has These Conversations With You?
At Tristar Tech Solutions, we believe IT should evolve with your business — not react to it.
We provide regular strategic reviews for organisations across Hertfordshire, Watford, North London, Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas, helping them stay secure, productive and competitive.
If you want clarity, direction and confidence in your technology strategy, book a Complimentary IT Strategy & Security Review.
We’ll walk through your systems, risks, opportunities and roadmap — and show you what proactive support truly looks like.
sales@tristartechsolutions.co.uk
“The best time to review your IT strategy was last quarter.
The second-best time is today.”
