Information Technology is required to operate any business these days. Companies need to run an accounting system, internet website, use VOIP for telecommunications, or run MS-Office for common office productive. What are the essential Information Technology policies and procedures every company should have in place?
Essential Information Technology Policies Procedures
Policies and procedures are company standards created to run the business consistently, provide consistent service to customers, and deliver consistent products that buyers can rely on when they order from the business. Consistency translates into presenting a stable, safe, and reliable business that customers can trust, which means that the IT systems of hardware and software will work when they are called upon to process an order.
IT Systems of Hardware and Software
Technology has changed business life and paved the way for new tools, applications, and devices, which has made information more valuable and readily available. Information Technology in a company is comprised of business systems of hardware like computers, network infrastructure like communication systems, and software like MS-Office and its associated Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Computer technology does not always work the way it is supposed to or expected at times. IT systems are complex requiring specialized technical support, regular maintenance, and troublesome upgrades. As a business grows, the complexity only increases.
IT Policies and Procedures
IT policies and procedures help to reduce complexity, keep IT systems stable, and assist the company in providing consistent levels of products and services to their customers. Therefore, there are several essential IT policies and procedures that every company needs including IT Security, IT Disaster Recovery, IT Asset Management, IT Software, IT Administration, and IT Training and Support.
IT Security Policies
Information security is crucial to any business and it all starts with a policy on IT Security Planning. For example, does your IT Security Plan include IT Policies for risk assessment, threats, and malware, conducting IT security audits, access control, and IT incident handling. Office workers have cells phones, laptops, or other personal devices requiring an IT policy on bringing your own device (BYOD) to work. The IT Security Policy covers many areas.
IT Disaster Recovery Policies
IT disasters can occur at any moment so IT recovery is vital to getting the business up and running again. The IT Disaster Recovery Policy drives the backup plan, personnel coverage, resources, insurance, and more. Stability means keeping the business running, even through surprises like a disaster.
IT Asset Management Policies
Managing IT assets requires IT policies on setting IT asset standards, vender management procedures, asset installation and later disposal. IT asset management works in conjunction with finance and accounting policies.
IT Software Policies
Software policies range from IT project management, IT consulting services, software training, and software design & development procedures. Whether the business outsources IT or creates their own IT software, IT policies are important to ensuring stability for the future of the business.
IT Administration Policies
IT policies for administration can range from general IT management to naming conventions or IT personnel policies. Some of the more critical IT policies include computer and internet usage policy, determine what is acceptable use of IT resources, or having an e-mail policy to against bulk email. It is even possible to manage all the IT policies and procedure online with a document management application like Onpolicy.
IT Training and Support Policies
IT systems of Hardware and Software inevitably require IT policies for training and support for all the complexity introduced into the business. There are IT policies for system administration, processing technical support requests, IT troubleshooting procedures, and the IT user-staff training plan.
IT Policies are Essential for Business
Modern businesses leverage technology as a key competitive advantage to keep up with and stay ahead of the competition. IT policies represent vital company standards needed to run any business with a stable level of products and services customers can trust. Do you have IT policies in place to ensure the IT systems of hardware and software will work when they are required to process the next order? Download a Free Sample IT Policy in MS-Word now.