You don’t need a full audit to know whether your IT environment is healthy. In fact, you can spot some of the biggest risks in just five minutes.

At CloudCore IT Solutions, we encourage business owners to periodically run a quick “IT health check” — a simple set of questions that reveal whether your technology is secure, up-to-date, and ready for the year ahead.

Here’s a fast checklist you can walk through right now.

🛡️ 1️⃣ Is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Enabled Everywhere?

Take 30 seconds and ask yourself:

• Is MFA enabled for email?
• For Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace?
• For VPN or remote access?
• For admin accounts?

If the answer is “not sure” or “some accounts,” that’s a red flag.

Why it matters:
Stolen passwords are still the #1 way attackers get in. MFA dramatically reduces that risk.

💾 2️⃣ When Was the Last Time You Tested Your Backups?

Not just “Do we have backups?”
But actually:

• Have you restored a file recently?
• Have you tested a full system restore?
• Do you know how long recovery would take?

If you can’t answer confidently, it’s worth reviewing.

Why it matters:
Backups that haven’t been tested may fail when you need them most.

👥 3️⃣ Are Former Employees Still in Your Systems?

Take a moment to think:

• Have all departed employees been removed?
• Do any old admin accounts still exist?
• Are vendors still active who no longer need access?

It’s common for access to accumulate quietly over time.

Why it matters:
Unused accounts are easy targets for attackers and increase internal risk.

🔄 4️⃣ Are Your Devices Actually Updating?

Check a few workstations:

• Are Windows updates current?
• Are browsers up to date?
• Are firewalls and networking equipment patched?

If updates are delayed or manual, that’s a gap.

Why it matters:
Unpatched systems remain one of the easiest entry points for cyberattacks.

🔐 5️⃣ Do You Know Who Has Administrative Access?

Admin access should be rare and intentional.

Ask:

• How many admin accounts exist?
• Do all of them truly need full privileges?
• Is admin access logged and monitored?

If the answer is “we’re not sure,” it’s time to tighten controls.

Why it matters:
Over-permissioned accounts amplify damage if something goes wrong.

🧠 What This 5-Minute Check Really Tells You

This quick review doesn’t replace a full audit — but it reveals whether your IT environment is:

• Reactive or proactive
• Secure or assumption-based
• Structured or loosely managed

If even one of these areas raised questions, that’s not a failure — it’s an opportunity.

🎖️ Start the Year with Confidence

At CloudCore IT Solutions, we help businesses move from “I think we’re fine” to “We know we’re secure.”

As a veteran-owned company with four generations of military service, we believe in readiness, discipline, and routine checks — because small habits prevent big emergencies.

If you’d like a deeper health review beyond this five-minute check, we’re happy to help.