Our team in the field works directly with businesses every day, and they’re the first to spot recurring gaps, outdated systems, and overlooked risks in IT environments. We spoke with three of hubTGI’s Area Managers, Daniel Jones, Brett Taylor, and Joseph Evans, to share the most common issues they encounter, the consequences of ignoring them, and how a little IT spring cleaning can go a long way in preventing future disruptions.
Hidden IT Vulnerabilities Companies Don’t Know They Have
Common weaknesses in IT infrastructure often go unnoticed until it’s too late.
Q: What surprising IT vulnerabilities have you found during client visits?
A: I have found a surprising number of clients who are unaware of how often their current IT providers are running recurring IT audits to detect possible vulnerabilities. It’s best practice to be proactive rather than reactive when reviewing the state of your environment as a whole. – Joseph Evans
Q: What’s the most common security gap you’ve encountered, and how does it impact business operations?
A: I believe the biggest security gap in many organizations is a lack of robust cybersecurity protection, particularly around firewalls and endpoint security. Without properly configured firewalls, networks are exposed to unauthorized access and potential data breaches. Similarly, inadequate endpoint protection leaves devices vulnerable to malware, phishing, and ransomware attacks. Strengthening these areas is critical to minimizing risk and ensuring business continuity. – Daniel Jones
Recurring IT Maintenance Mistakes That Put Businesses at Risk
Outdated systems, missed reviews, and overlooked audits are more common than you think.
Q: Are there recurring issues or areas you see that clients tend to overlook?
A: The biggest recurring issue I’ve encountered is that clients often fail to assess their IT infrastructure on a regular basis — ideally, an assessment should be done annually or at least every other year. Without periodic reviews, outdated systems, misconfigurations, and emerging vulnerabilities go unnoticed. This lack of proactive assessment can lead to security risks, performance issues, and missed opportunities for optimization. Regular evaluations are essential to maintaining a secure and efficient IT environment. – Daniel Jones
The Real-World Impact of Poor Endpoint Management
Weak endpoint protection can lead to full-system compromise, even with backups in place.
Q: How impactful can basic endpoint management be in preventing IT disruptions?
A: A small business was hit by ransomware that encrypted all their files; they thought having backups would keep them safe. Unfortunately, it was connected to the network which meant it was also encrypted. The cloud backup hadn’t been checked for months and wasn’t a reliable source. As a result, it was too late to rely on any of their in-place processes because they were not properly set up for an attack. – Joseph Evans
Endpoint Management: A Simple but Powerful Defense Strategy
Proper endpoint security protects against data loss, downtime, and unauthorized access.
Q: How impactful can basic endpoint management be in preventing IT disruptions?
A: Basic endpoint management can be highly impactful in preventing IT disruptions by ensuring that all devices connected to a network — such as laptops, desktops, and mobile devices — are properly secured, updated, and monitored. By managing endpoints consistently, organizations can reduce vulnerabilities caused by outdated software, unpatched systems, or unauthorized access. It also enables IT teams to detect and respond to threats more quickly, enforce security policies, and maintain visibility across all user devices. Even simple measures like regular patching, antivirus enforcement, and device encryption can significantly lower the risk of data breaches or operational downtime, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and stable IT environment. – Brett Taylor
Why IT Strategy and Risk Assessments Should Be Your Next Investment
Future-ready companies are prioritizing IT planning and infrastructure evaluations.
Q: Looking forward, what IT trends do you think companies should be investing in as part of their IT spring cleaning?
A: One of the most important IT trends companies should be investing in during their IT spring cleaning is an IT Strategy and Risk Assessment. This proactive initiative provides a clear, comprehensive view of your current IT environment — uncovering vulnerabilities, identifying infrastructure gaps, and pinpointing areas that need improvement.
But beyond addressing immediate concerns, an IT Strategy and Risk Assessment plays a crucial role in planning for the future. It helps organizations develop a strategic roadmap that ensures their technology can scale and evolve alongside business growth. By aligning IT systems with long-term goals, companies can proactively prepare for upcoming demands, whether it’s expansion, digital transformation, or new security challenges.
This kind of assessment enables better decision-making by offering a deeper understanding of what’s working, what needs to be strengthened, and where to invest next. It ensures your IT environment is not only secure and resilient today, but also ready to support innovation, agility, and growth in the future. Investing in a strategic review now is a forward-thinking move that sets the stage for sustained success. – Brett Taylor
Final Thoughts: Clean Up Your IT Before It Becomes a Crisis
Whether it’s missing audits, outdated infrastructure, or poor endpoint hygiene, the most common IT issues our area managers uncover are entirely preventable but only if caught early. A proactive IT spring cleaning approach can improve performance, reduce risk, and prepare your business for future growth.
Want help identifying your hidden IT gaps? Book your IT consultation with our team today.
About hubTGI
hubTGI is a Canadian-owned Managed Services provider that offers Print Services, Workflow Solutions, Managed IT, Cybersecurity Solutions, Cloud Services and VoIP to help their customers control costs, secure their data and make their people more productive.
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