Set IT Goals, Prevent Drift and Adapt to Change

One of our clients once said, “My IT is the car that gets me to work. I need it to be reliable, but I don’t need to keep it highly tuned.”

That perfectly sums up what many business leaders need: IT that works seamlessly in the background, supporting their operations without requiring constant attention.

Managed service providers (MSPs) like Hungerford are here to make that happen. We work with you to ensure your IT is reliable and ready for the road ahead without overcomplicating things.

Just like your car needs regular maintenance to stay reliable, your IT requires proactive attention. We work with you to ensure everything runs smoothly so you can focus on driving your business forward without worrying about what’s under the hood.

The Goals → Drift → Change structure introduces a practical way to think about IT management.

What is the Goals, Drift and Change Structure?

This philosophy is about striking the right balance. You don’t need to jump 5 feet to clear a 3-foot hurdle, but you want to ensure you clear the hurdle in the first place.

Your IT needs to be as dynamic as your business. What works today might not work tomorrow and failing to adapt can lead to costly mistakes.

That’s why we focus on three critical areas:

1. Setting Goals: We help you define clear, practical IT benchmarks based on your industry and business needs.
2. Preventing Drift: We monitor and fix small deviations from your goals, preventing issues before they impact operations.
3. Adapting to Change: When new technologies or standards emerge, we help you revise and implement updated goals to stay competitive.

By focusing on these three areas, we ensure your IT evolves alongside your business, staying reliable and ready for whatever comes next.

Real-world Examples

How do we implement this philosophy? Here are some real-world examples:

Access Controls

• Goal: Permissions are limited to what each employee needs, following least-privilege access principles.
• Drift: As employees take on new roles, they may retain access to systems they no longer need, increasing risk. We review and clean up permissions regularly.
• Change: New regulations require stricter access controls and privileged access management software. We help implement these tools to keep you compliant without adding unnecessary complexity.

Network Configuration

• Goal: Firewalls are configured to block unnecessary inbound traffic, protecting your network.
• Drift: A port is temporarily opened during troubleshooting but is left exposed afterward. We monitor and close these gaps quickly.
• Change: Best practices evolve, calling for even stricter firewall rules to address emerging threats. We adapt your configuration to stay aligned with the latest recommendations.

Security Training

• Goal: You plan to have employees complete security awareness training every six months to stay vigilant against phishing threats.
• Drift: With tight deadlines and shifting priorities, some sessions are delayed or skipped, leaving gaps in employee preparedness. We help by providing a clear schedule and reminders while tracking who has completed training so nothing falls through the cracks.
• Change: What used to be acceptable twice a year is now expected quarterly, meaning more frequent sessions are becoming the norm. We adjust your training plan to meet these new requirements without adding stress to your team.

Staying Updated (Patching)

• Goal: Ensure all systems are patched within 30 days to address vulnerabilities and maintain security.
• Drift: Employees often delay restarting their computers to avoid interruptions or network equipment updates are postponed to prevent downtime during business hours. These delays leave systems exposed. We track patching status and work with you to schedule updates at times that balance security needs with your business operations.
• Change: When insurers begin requiring critical patches within a week to maintain coverage, adding urgency to the process, we will help you adapt by implementing faster patching cycles that align with your business needs while minimizing disruptions.

Multifactor Authentication (MFA)

• Goal: All accounts are secured with MFA to add an extra layer of protection.
• Drift: Temporary exceptions, like bypassing MFA for an employee who lost their phone, introduce security gaps. We track and resolve these exceptions quickly.
• Change: When new standards push for advanced MFA, such as biometrics or additional verification methods, we’ll help guide you through the upgrade process.

Technology is constantly changing and evolving, and the best thing you can do as a decision-maker is to monitor and adjust your baseline IT goals so your organization doesn’t fall behind.

Make Your IT Work Seamlessly

Don’t let overcomplicated and unreliable IT keep your organization from reaching its full potential. Contact us to more about how our practical IT philosophy can drive your business forward.

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