Pro tips Complete New Year checklist for IT managers and CIOs in 2024 Publication date February 09, 2024 IT departments are often busy, which can mean that IT leaders don’t always have the chance to zoom out and consider the big picture. The new year is a perfect time to step back from the rush of day-to-day work and assess how your IT department is doing. This annual checklist covers the essentials that an IT manager or CIO needs to consider to set yourself up for success in the new year. Security Keep your systems safe against new threats. Conduct a thorough security audit to identify vulnerabilities. Update and patch all software, firmware, and security systems. Review and strengthen cybersecurity policies. Review (or create) a password standard for your organization. Test and re-assess data backup procedures. Update disaster recovery plans and conduct a simulated test. Review and update the incident response plan. Infrastructure Make sure you’re working with the right technology. Audit hardware and software infrastructure. Ensure microcode levels and patches are current. Determine if any technology is out of date and needs to be modernized. Ensure compliance with relevant industry regulations and standards. Validate and update your technology’s documentation. Efficiency Save time over the whole year by improving efficiency now. Consider what systems you can simplify, integrate, or standardize. Assess and test your cloud and data storage strategy. Assess your collaboration tools. Gather feedback from users and plan necessary improvements. Check in on new trends and consider which ones you should evaluate. Talk with your managed services provider for suggested improvements, or consider finding a managed service provider to save your team time. Staff Protect and nurture your most valuable resource. Encourage collaboration and open communication. Identify training needs for IT staff. Determine if and when you need to hire new staff. Budget Keep an eye on your bottom line. Review the previous year’s IT budget and analyze expenditures. Plan and allocate budgets for upcoming IT projects and initiatives. Meet with your IT solution provider to consider and price upcoming projects. Strategy Plan for success in IT and the entire business. Assess the efficiency, reliability, and compliance of your IT provider/partners. Plan project goals and deadlines for the year. Check that IT strategies align with overall business goals. Ensure IT policies align with organizational goals and compliance requirements. Define and monitor key performance indicators for IT operations. Confirm that you own your own data and plan changes if you do not. Sustainability Do your part to protect the planet. Explore green IT initiatives that could work for your organization. Consider energy-efficient technologies and practices. By incorporating these tasks once a year, IT team leaders and CIOs can prepare their organizations for the challenges and opportunities in the rapidly evolving IT landscape. GET THE LATEST FROM R2I! Subscribe to newsletter Share on your social media