The January IT Reset: 10 Simple Checks Every Business Should Do at the Start of the Year
January has a funny energy in business. The inbox is usually a bit quieter. The kettle is on more often. People are easing back into routine after the festive break, catching up on emails, resetting priorities and trying to start the year on the right foot. It’s also one of the best times to pause and ask a simple question:
Is our IT actually in good shape or are we just assuming it is?
This isn’t about pulling cables out of walls, changing settings, or “having a go” at things yourself. In fact, it’s the opposite. A good January IT reset is about awareness, clarity, and knowing who’s responsible for what.
Think of it as an MOT for your IT, a good chance to spot potential issues early, reduce frustration for staff, and avoid problems later in the year when everyone’s far too busy to deal with them.
Here are 10 simple checks every business can do at the start of the year, without touching a single setting.
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Do you know who looks after your IT day to day?
This sounds obvious, but it’s often surprisingly unclear.
Is IT handled internally? Outsourced? Shared between a few people “when something breaks”? Has responsibility quietly shifted over the last year?
January is a good time to confirm:
- Who staff should contact when something isn’t working
- What’s covered and what isn’t
- Whether that arrangement still makes sense for the size of your business
Uncertainty here leads to delays, frustration, and problems being ignored longer than they should be.
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Are all your devices still supported?
Laptops, desktops, tablets and phones don’t last forever… at least not safely.
Some devices quietly reach a point where they no longer receive security updates. They still switch on. They still work. But behind the scenes, they’re more vulnerable.
You don’t need to check this yourself. The important question is simply:
Do you know if all your business devices are still supported?
If the answer is “not sure”, that’s a useful thing to know in itself.
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Have leavers’ accounts been properly closed?
Over the course of a year, people move on. It happens.
What doesn’t always happen, especially in busy organisations, is a tidy clean-up of access. Old email accounts, shared folders, systems and logins can be left active long after someone has left.
January is a good moment to ask:
- Do we have a clear process for removing access?
- Has anyone left in the last year whose accounts might still exist?
This isn’t about blame. It’s about reducing unnecessary risk.
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Do you know where your business data actually lives?
Many businesses now use a mix of systems: email platforms, file storage, cloud tools, shared drives, specialist software.
That’s normal. What’s less normal is having a clear picture of where important data lives, who can access it, and what happens if something goes wrong.
You don’t need a technical map. Just clarity:
- Is data mainly cloud-based, on-site, or a mix?
- Is there one “source of truth”, or lots of copies?
Knowing this makes conversations with IT support much easier.
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Are backups happening, and checked?
Most businesses know they have backups.
Fewer know:
- What’s included
- How often they run
- Whether they’ve been checked recently
A January check here is simply about confidence. If you were asked, “Are we backed up properly?”, would you be comfortable answering?
If not, that’s a sensible conversation to have — before you ever need them.
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Are staff clear on basic cyber safety?
Cyber security doesn’t need to be scary or technical.
Simple habits make a huge difference: being cautious with unexpected emails, strong passwords, and knowing when to ask for help rather than clicking quickly.
January is a good time to gently reinforce:
- How to spot something suspicious
- Who to report it to
- That it’s always better to ask than guess
A short reminder can prevent a long, stressful incident later.
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Are updates being handled properly?
Updates keep systems secure and running smoothly, but they can also be disruptive if handled badly.
The key January question isn’t “are things updated?” — it’s:
Is there a clear process for updates, and is it managed properly?
Staff shouldn’t feel pressured to postpone updates forever, nor should they be left dealing with unexpected changes mid-workday. A managed approach keeps everyone happier.
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Is your Wi-Fi still fit for purpose?
Offices change. Teams grow. Layouts shift. More devices get added.
Wi-Fi that was fine two years ago might now be patchy, slow, or unreliable especially in larger or older buildings, which are common across the Highlands.
If staff regularly complain about:
- Drop-outs
- Slow connections
- Dead zones
That’s worth noting. Wi-Fi issues are one of the biggest sources of day-to-day frustration, and they’re often quietly tolerated far too long.
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Do you know what would happen if something went wrong?
No one likes to think about worst-case scenarios, but clarity here is reassuring.
Ask yourself:
- If systems went down tomorrow, who would you contact?
- How would staff be informed?
- What’s the rough plan — even at a high level?
You don’t need a thick manual. Just knowing there is a plan makes a difference.
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Is your IT support still right for your business?
Businesses change. IT needs change with them.
What worked when you were smaller might feel stretched now. Or perhaps things are running smoothly, but you’ve never stopped to check whether improvements could make life easier.
January is the ideal time to reflect:
- Are recurring issues being resolved properly?
- Do staff feel supported?
- Is IT helping the business move forward, or just reacting?
Good IT support should reduce noise, not add to it.
Why the January IT Reset matters
None of these checks require technical knowledge. They’re simplu about awareness, communication, and good housekeeping.
Left unchecked, small uncertainties can grow into:
- Security risks
- Lost data
- Downtime
- Staff frustration
Handled early, they become simple conversations instead of urgent problems.
Starting the year with clarity puts your business in a far stronger position and lets everyone focus on their actual work, rather than wrestling with technology.
A final thought
If any of these checks leave you thinking “we’re not quite sure” , then that’s the moment to reach out.
You don’t need all the answers, and you don’t need to fix anything yourself. Sometimes a quick conversation is enough to bring clarity and peace of mind.
We support businesses across a wide range of IT services, from reliable backups and cloud storage support to Cyber Essentials, day-to-day IT support and wider cyber security guidance. Whether it’s a small question or a bigger review, having the right support in place helps keep things running smoothly in the background, exactly as IT should.
