Your Go-To Guide for Winter-Ready IT

Winter is just around the corner, and as businesses wrap up the year, tie up loose ends, and prepare for the holidays, it’s easy to overlook one crucial thing: IT prep. Winter weather can throw some serious challenges at your IT infrastructure – think power outages, icy conditions, and freezing temperatures. Just like you’d prep your home for the cold, your office’s IT setup needs a little extra care to keep things running smoothly.

To help you stay ahead of the season, here’s your guide to winter IT prep with practical tips to keep your systems secure, operational, and ready to handle whatever winter throws your way.

Plan for outages with backup power solutions

Winter storms and extreme cold often lead to power outages. A sudden power cut can disrupt operations and lead to data loss. Preparing a backup power solution can save your business from these headaches.

• Invest in Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS): UPS devices can provide a critical window of power to safely shut down equipment or switch over to backup generators. For smaller offices, a UPS for each essential piece of equipment can prevent data corruption during sudden outages.
• Consider a Generator for Longer Outages: If your business relies heavily on on-premise systems, a generator can power core systems during extended blackouts. It’s an investment, but for many businesses, the peace of mind is worth it.

protect your hardware with it prep

Cold weather can be tough on hardware, especially if you’re in an area prone to temperature swings or extreme conditions. From servers to desktop computers, your equipment needs a little extra care to handle the cold.

• Monitor Room Temperature: Ensure your server rooms or equipment spaces are adequately insulated. Extreme cold can cause hardware to contract, and condensation can form when temperatures fluctuate, leading to potential water damage.
• Use Climate Control Systems: For sensitive equipment, a stable environment is critical. If your office isn’t always heated, especially during off-hours or weekends, consider installing climate control systems that maintain consistent temperatures.

establish monitoring for weather-related issues

Winter brings an extra set of risks, from frozen pipes to unpredictable power supplies. Having a monitoring system in place can alert you to problems before they escalate into full-blown emergencies.

• Set Up Alerts and Monitoring Systems: Tools that monitor power, temperature, and even moisture levels in your office’s server rooms or equipment spaces can help prevent damage. Many monitoring solutions can send alerts directly to your phone or email, so you’re notified the moment something’s off.
• Remote Management Options: If you can access your systems remotely, it’s easier to monitor and troubleshoot issues during a storm or other adverse conditions. This can be especially helpful for businesses where staff work remotely or if someone needs to check on systems after-hours.

Rely on Cloud Solutions for WInter resilience

One of the best ways to protect your business from winter-related IT risks is to minimize reliance on physical, on-premise equipment. Shifting essential functions to the cloud can provide seamless continuity even if your office experiences a power outage.

• Ensure Critical Data is Backed Up in the Cloud: If you rely on on-premise data storage, consider adding cloud backups. Cloud storage solutions can keep your data accessible and secure, no matter what’s happening on-site.
• Cloud-Based Software for Remote Access: Cloud-based applications, such as Microsoft 365, allow employees to work seamlessly from home when winter storms make commuting impossible. Your team can continue business as usual, with all files and systems available remotely.

prepare for the unexpected with data backup strategies

A strong backup strategy is essential year-round, but it’s even more critical in winter when conditions are unpredictable. Data loss from power surges, hardware damage, or outages can seriously disrupt operations, so make sure you have a plan in place.

• Implement a 3-2-1 Backup Strategy: This means keeping three copies of your data on two different types of storage, with one copy stored off-site. An off-site backup, whether in the cloud or a secure data center, protects you if your on-premise equipment fails.
• Schedule Regular Backups and Tests: It’s not enough to back up your data—you also need to ensure the backups are complete and accessible. Regularly test your backup systems so you know you can recover critical data quickly if needed.

Stay Confident This Winter with the Right IT Prep

Winter can be unpredictable, but with the right IT prep, your business will stay operational and resilient. Investing in these precautions will protect your infrastructure and give you peace of mind when the snow starts to fall. A great IT team will help you prepare your IT for winter.

As we say, “Winter is coming.” But this year, with the right IT prep, your business will be ready to face it head-on.