A Simple IT Health Checklist for Small Businesses

Posted 23rd February 2026

If you run a small business, IT can easily slip down the priority list. When everything is working, it feels fine. When something breaks, it suddenly becomes urgent and stressful.

The truth is that most IT disasters are preventable. A simple, regular check of your systems can reduce risk, improve performance and save you money in the long run.

Think of this as a practical IT health checklist to keep your business secure, compliant and running smoothly.

At LP Networks, we work with small businesses across the UK who often assume their IT is fine because nothing has gone wrong yet. This checklist is designed to help you move from reactive to proactive.

Are Your Backups Actually Working?

Many businesses believe they are backed up. Fewer have checked recently.

Ask yourself:

• Are backups running daily?
• Are they stored securely off site or in the cloud?
• Have you tested a restore in the last six months?

A backup that has never been tested is a risk. If you cannot restore your data quickly after a cyber incident or hardware failure, downtime can become costly very quickly.

Are All Devices Updated?

Outdated software is one of the most common entry points for cyberattacks.

Check that:

• Operating systems are up to date
• Security patches are applied regularly
• Third party applications are not running old versions
• Firmware on routers and firewalls is current

This applies to laptops, desktops, servers and even mobile devices used for work. If your team uses services such as Microsoft 365, make sure security settings and updates are properly configured rather than left on default.

Do You Have Proper Endpoint Protection?

Antivirus alone is no longer enough.

Modern endpoint protection should include:

• Real time threat detection
• Ransomware protection
• Centralised monitoring
• Alerts for suspicious behaviour

If you are not sure what is protecting your devices, that in itself is a warning sign.

Are Staff Using Strong Passwords and Multi Factor Authentication?

Weak passwords remain one of the easiest ways into a business network.

Review:

• Whether staff use unique passwords
• If password managers are encouraged
• Whether multi factor authentication is enabled on email, cloud platforms and remote access

Guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre consistently highlights multi factor authentication as one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve security.

Who Has Access to What?

Access control often grows organically. Someone joins the business and is given broad permissions. Someone leaves and their account remains active.

Regularly check:

• That leavers’ accounts are disabled immediately
• That staff only have access to the systems they genuinely need
• That admin privileges are limited

Reducing unnecessary access limits potential damage if an account is compromised.

Is Your WiFi and Network Secure?

Your network is the backbone of your IT.

Make sure:

• Default router passwords have been changed
• Guest WiFi is separated from your main business network
• Firewalls are correctly configured
• Remote access is secured

If you have not reviewed your network setup in years, it is worth doing so now.

Are You Monitoring for Issues?

Good IT support is not just about fixing problems. It is about spotting them early.

Monitoring tools can:

• Detect failing hardware
• Alert you to unusual login attempts
• Identify performance bottlenecks
• Highlight storage issues before they cause disruption

Without monitoring, you are relying on someone noticing when something feels wrong.

Do You Have an IT Plan?

Finally, step back and look at the bigger picture.

Ask:

• Does your IT support your business goals?
• Is your hardware ageing and due for replacement?
• Are you budgeting for upgrades rather than reacting to failures?
• Do you know what you would do in the event of a cyber incident?

A simple documented IT roadmap makes decision making easier and avoids rushed spending when something breaks.

A Small Investment That Prevents Big Problems

You do not need a complex technical audit to improve your IT health. Starting with a straightforward checklist like this can reveal gaps quickly.

Small businesses are often targeted precisely because attackers assume security will be weaker. Taking a proactive approach not only reduces risk, it also gives you confidence that your systems are working for you rather than against you.

If you are unsure where you stand, a structured IT health check can provide clarity. The earlier you identify weaknesses, the easier and more affordable they are to fix.

Good IT should feel reliable, secure and quietly efficient. If yours does not, it may be time to take a closer look.