September marks the return to the usual rhythm for many companies. With more teams connected and greater use of applications and systems, it is a good time to perform a technological maintenance y detect potential incidents before they affect daily work.
The review should not be limited to checking whether the computers work. The company's technological infrastructure includes connectivity, networks, communications, cloud systems, backups, and measurements of cybersecurity that must work in a coordinated manner.
Why review the technological infrastructure after the summer?
During the summer months, it is common for changes to occur that go unnoticed: equipment that remains turned off for weeks, pending updates, users working from other locations, temporary access, device changes, or incidents postponed until September.
At the same time, the return to activity increases the demand on the infrastructure once again. More people connected, more calls, more file transfers, and greater use of corporate applications can highlight problems that were barely noticeable during August.
One preventive maintenance allows to verify if the infrastructure is prepared to assume that load again and to detect points that could affect service continuity.
Post-summer tech checklist: the points you should review
Not all companies have the same infrastructure, but there are several areas that should be part of any post-summer technology checkup.
1. Check network connectivity and performance
The Internet connection it is a fundamental piece for practically any company. Cloud applications, video calls, IP telephony, collaborative tools, or management systems depend directly on a stable connection.
It is advisable to review aspects such as:
- the connection stability;
- network speed and latency;
- the operation of the links between locations;
- the performance of WiFi networks;
- the configuration of the routers, switches and access points;
- the existence of backup systems in the event of a failure of the main line.
In companies with multiple locations or a heavy reliance on digital services, it is also advisable to check the VPN status and of the dedicated connections used to communicate different locations.
2. Review users, permissions, and accesses
Vacations can generate numerous temporary changes to corporate access. Substitutions, teleworking, personal devices, or permissions granted for a few weeks may remain active when they are no longer necessary.
September is a good time to review which users have access to each system and remove permissions that are no longer necessary.
Among other issues, the following should be checked:
- inactive users;
- temporary accounts;
- accesses of former employees or collaborators;
- excessive permissions;
- authorized devices;
- remote accesses;
- use of multi-factor authentication.
Applying the principle of least privilege, whereby each user has only the permissions they need to do their job, significantly reduces the organization's attack surface.
3. Update systems and devices
The pending updates they are another one of the points that can be accumulated during the months of lower activity.
Operating systems, applications, firewalls, security solutions, and other network devices periodically receive updates that fix bugs and vulnerabilities.
Therefore, it is advisable to check that the main systems are up to date and to particularly review those devices that have remained disconnected for several weeks.
Keeping software updated not only improves its performance. It is also part of a proper strategy of Corporate cybersecurity, since many threats exploit known vulnerabilities to access systems.
4. Verify the backups
Having configured backups It does not, by itself, guarantee that the data can be recovered when necessary.
As part of the post-summer checklist, you should check the following:
- that the copies are running correctly;
- that the important data is included;
- that more than one copy exists when the information is critical;
- that the backups are protected against unauthorized access;
- that the restoration process works.
Performing a recovery test allows you to detect problems before an actual incident occurs.
5. Review cybersecurity measures
Returning from vacation can also increase certain risks. Employees resume checking large volumes of email, downloading files, and accessing various tools, which can facilitate attempts to phishing or theft of credentials.
The review should include the status of:
- the firewalls;
- antivirus and endpoint protection;
- EDR, XDR, or MDR systems;
- email filters;
- the password policies;
- multi-factor authentication;
- security alerts;
- the external accesses.
It is also a good time to worry about cybersecurity, Remind the team how to identify suspicious emails and what steps to take in the event of a potential incident.
6. Check the telephone and corporate communications systems
Communications usually resume intense activity after the summer. Therefore, it is advisable to check that the virtual switchboard, the IP telephony and the phone support systems be prepared to resume their usual workload.
It is recommended that you verify the proper functioning of extensions, call forwarding, call queues, business hours, recorded messages, and corporate phone numbers.
Temporary settings used during vacations—such as special call forwarding rules or messages related to daylight saving time—should also be removed.
7. Review cloud services
Companies are increasingly relying on cloud-based applications and services. A review after the summer should also include these platforms.
It is worth verifying:
- active users and licenses;
- access permissions;
- storage capacity;
- the backups;
- integrations between applications;
- alerts or incidents reported during the summer;
- contracted resources that are no longer needed.
This analysis can also help optimize costs and detect duplicate or underutilized services.
More than a one-off review: preparing the infrastructure
Make a tech checklist for returning from summer It's useful, but system stability shouldn't rely solely on one-off reviews.
Continuous monitoring makes it possible to identify anomalies before they affect daily work, anticipate capacity issues, and keep the various elements that make up the infrastructure updated.
Especially in organizations with multiple locations, a high number of users, or a high dependence on their digital systems, having a global view of connectivity, cloud, communications and cybersecurity facilitates much more efficient management.
Prepare your infrastructure for your company's growth
The return to activity is a good time to check if the company's technology is truly prepared to face the coming months.
Reviewing the network, updating systems, checking backups, controlling access, and verifying security measures make it possible to reduce risks and avoid disruptions when the workload picks up again.
In IPVIP We help companies manage and optimize their technological infrastructure, from the connectivity and business communications until the managed cloud and cybersecurity.
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