losing dollars — a lot of them . Similar scenarios can be applied to all businesses . The processes businesses use to accomplish tasks and meet goals are what I call “ technology-enabled processes .”
Historically , we didn ’ t have to worry about them because they didn ’ t exist . In the mid-digital age , nearly every process , start to finish , involves some level of technology . The architect draws their plans for a wall on AutoCAD and sends it to the contractor . The general contractor receives it on an iPad , and they send it to the foreman in the field . The foreman has a wireless setup on-site , and they use the iPad to show the drywall contractor how to do the work . If the iPad stops working or can ’ t open the AutoCAD file , work halts until the tech is back up and running . This costs time , and we all know that time costs money .
Businesses must understand that for them to make a profit , protect employees , satisfy customers — and consequently grow — they need reliable IT . They need processes that work every time , updated software , backup plans , and regular assessments . Efficient IT processes must be a priority at the executive round table .
IT IS THE HOW , BUSINESSES ARE THE WHY
The tendency is to think that IT is recondite — CFOs don ’ t think through IT strategy because they “ have people for that .” We need to shift that mind-set . Here ’ s a distinction that helps business executives understand : IT teams are the how ; the whole picture of the business — from customer needs to employee safety — is the why . This gets problematic because tech teams assume that CFOs understand how much they rely on IT . CFOs assume IT people will come to them and say , “ If you don ’ t replace this tech next year , you ’ ll have a big problem .” However , IT teams aren ’ t always privy to the innards of business processes outside their department . Because of this misunderstanding about where IT should live , there ’ s a malinvestment of resources to cybersecurity , putting businesses at much greater risk .
What reliable , responsive IT means to each business is as unique as a thumbprint . The general contractor needs wireless mobile devices that work in the field every time . A theater needs scanners that never miss a ticket barcode and get guests through the door and seated for a show in minutes . A manufacturer needs scanners and label printers to send packages out on time .
Processes are unique , but what ’ s consistent is the fact that while technology can ’ t create strategy , it can help implement it , and that ’ s why tech decisions must move into the boardroom to be evaluated alongside other key business risks . Tech is the how , but business strategy is the why .
“ IF ONLY WE KNEW ”
Oftentimes at TriQuest Technologies , we get new customers who come to us after an attack and say , “ If I had understood how important cybersecurity was , of course I would have spent more money to protect the business .” So , what we try to do is underline the connection between IT solutions and what is likely to happen in a business — i . e ., business risk — because that ’ s effective cybersecurity . When executive teams discuss key business risks , they think about what ’ s most likely to happen , what the cost or damage will be if it does , and how to go about reducing the likelihood of that occurring . Cybersecurity issues are very likely to happen ; that ’ s the reality .
It ’ s most likely that through an email system , someone is going to compromise employee credentials and use them to implant viruses or impersonate employees and reroute customer payments to themselves , for example . The ultimate expression of what a business values is where they spend their money . If they thought of cybersecurity like protecting against a fire hazard — where purchasing software that blocks malicious emails is like buying an automatic fire-suppression system — they ’ d be putting value in the right place : protecting against the right risks with reliable solutions . As businesses strategize around how to reduce risk , funding effective cybersecurity practices must be a priority .
HOW TO ALIGN BUSINESS EXPECTATIONS AND REALITY
At TriQuest , we help business leaders understand the status of their technology processes by interviewing every department head . We ask what ’ s going well , what can be improved , and how technology impacts their short-term and long-term goals . We ask leadership the following question : If technology stopped , what ’ s the most damaging thing that would happen to your department ? Expectations and reality must match .
Then we create a glide path — a three-year budget that includes a business ’ s most critical data or processes and a pulse of IT performance . At the end of every year , we reevaluate and create an adjusted three-year plan , and so on . This way , we ’ re accounting for new growth , updated processes , and renewed goals . With a reliable IT plan in place , businesses benefit from interdepartmental cooperation , consistent decision making , and standardized processes .
It ’ s a digital revolution . Data abounds , everything is connected , and files live in the cloud . Businesses that consider effective cybersecurity practices along with other key business risks can
lessen the impact on profit , downtime , and efficiency as well as negative effects on employees and customers . Businesses that have unreliable IT are held back when they try to push the
gas pedal . Next quarter , have a conversation with your clients . Help them reduce the risk to their business and customers by demanding reliable IT and keeping up in the digital age .
For more information on TriQuest Technologies , please visit TriQuestTech . com .
1 . See www . sec . gov / news / statement / cybersecurity-challenges-for-small-midsize-businesses . html .
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