Many business owners assume an IT assessment will simply confirm that “everything looks fine.”
Many business owners assume an IT assessment will simply confirm that “everything looks fine.”
In reality, most assessments uncover hidden risks, inefficiencies, and missed opportunities—even in environments that seem stable on the surface.
For companies across Columbus and Central Ohio, these findings often explain recurring issues, rising costs, and growing security concerns.
Below are real-world examples (anonymized) of what an IT assessment commonly reveals—and why they matter.
What Is an IT Assessment?
An IT assessment is a structured review of your:
- Network and infrastructure
- Security controls
- Microsoft 365 configuration
- Backup and recovery systems
- Access management
- Vendor dependencies
- Documentation and policies
The goal is to identify risks, improve reliability, and create a practical improvement roadmap.
Learn more:
➡️ /it-assessment-what-to-expect
Example 1: “We Had Backups… But They Didn’t Work”
The Situation
A professional services firm believed their data was fully protected.
What We Found
- Backups were running—but failing silently
- No recovery tests had been performed
- Critical databases weren’t included
- Retention was only 7 days
The Risk
A ransomware attack or hardware failure could have caused permanent data loss.
The Fix
We implemented monitored backups, extended retention, and routine testing.
Example 2: “Every Employee Was a Security Risk”
The Situation
A growing manufacturing company had expanded quickly.
What We Found
- No MFA on most accounts
- Shared admin credentials
- Weak password policies
- Former employees still active
The Risk
One stolen password could compromise the entire network.
The Fix
We enforced MFA, cleaned up access, and deployed identity monitoring.
Example 3: “Microsoft 365 Was Wide Open”
The Situation
A healthcare-related organization relied heavily on Microsoft 365.
What We Found
- No conditional access policies
- Public file sharing enabled
- No phishing protection
- Minimal logging
The Risk
Data exposure, compliance violations, and account takeovers.
The Fix
We secured tenant policies, locked down sharing, and improved monitoring.
Learn more:
➡️ microsoft-365-risk-assessment
Example 4: “One Internet Outage Could Shut Us Down”
The Situation
A logistics company depended on cloud-based systems.
What We Found
- Single ISP connection
- No failover
- No documented recovery plan
The Risk
Any outage meant full business shutdown.
The Fix
We added redundant connectivity and failover routing.
Example 5: “IT Costs Were Higher Than Necessary”
The Situation
A multi-location retail business felt IT expenses were “out of control.”
What We Found
- Duplicate software licenses
- Unused subscriptions
- Outdated hardware under warranty
- Overlapping vendor contracts
The Risk
Thousands in unnecessary annual spending.
The Fix
We consolidated vendors and optimized licensing.
➡️ microsoft-365-license-review
Example 6: “No One Knew How Anything Worked”
The Situation
A family-owned business had relied on one IT person for years.
What We Found
- No documentation
- Unknown passwords
- No network diagrams
- No asset inventory
The Risk
If that person left, operations would be at risk.
The Fix
We documented systems and implemented credential management.
Patterns We See in Most Assessments
Across hundreds of reviews, the same issues appear repeatedly:
- Incomplete security configurations
- Untested backups
- Poor documentation
- Weak access controls
- Reactive IT management
- Hidden technical debt
These problems rarely show up in daily operations—until something fails.
Why These Issues Go Unnoticed
Most businesses don’t ignore IT on purpose.
These gaps happen because:
- Technology evolves quickly
- Internal teams are stretched thin
- Previous providers focused on “fixing” not “preventing”
- No one performed a full review
Without visibility, problems accumulate quietly.
What a Good IT Assessment Should Deliver
A quality assessment should give you:
✅ A clear risk profile
✅ Prioritized recommendations
✅ Budget guidance
✅ Compliance readiness
✅ Recovery timelines
✅ Improvement roadmap
Not just a technical report—actionable guidance.
How This Helps You Make Better Decisions
With assessment results, you can:
- Justify security investments
- Reduce downtime
- Improve insurance eligibility
- Plan upgrades
- Negotiate vendor contracts
- Protect your reputation
It turns IT from guesswork into strategy.
Is It Time for an Assessment?
You may benefit from an assessment if:
- You’ve never had one
- It’s been more than two years
- You’ve grown significantly
- You’ve experienced recent outages
- You’re changing providers
- Insurance requirements increased
If any apply, it’s time.
Start With Clarity
At Cloud Cover, we help Central Ohio businesses understand their real IT position—without scare tactics or sales pressure.
➡️ Learn what’s included:/it-assessment-what-to-expect
➡️ Request your assessment:/free-it-assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these examples real?
Yes. They are anonymized and based on common findings from real assessments.
Will an assessment disrupt operations?
No. Most work is done remotely and scheduled around your business.
Do I have to switch providers afterward?
No. You receive a usable roadmap regardless of next steps.
How often should assessments be done?
Every 1–2 years, or after major changes.
Final Thoughts
Most IT problems aren’t dramatic.
They’re quiet.
They build slowly.
And they become expensive later.
An IT assessment brings them into the open—before they hurt your business.
If you want peace of mind, start with clarity.
Want to know where your business stands? Schedule a call to get started.