A new year is the perfect time for business leaders to take stock of what’s working—and what isn’t—within their IT environment. The landscape is shifting quickly. Cyber insurance requirements are tightening, remote and hybrid teams expect secure flexibility, and technology now plays a direct role in a company’s ability to scale, hire, and operate efficiently.
Recent Reality Check
The past couple of months have been a wake-up call for businesses across every sector. A wave of high-impact security incidents and reliability failures has exposed how essential it is to strengthen cybersecurity, plan ahead, and modernize aging systems.
Here’s a snapshot of just the last 30–45 days:
- A new state-backed malware campaign (“BRICKSTORM”) was discovered targeting IT and government systems. Stealthy, long-term backdoors highlight how sophisticated persistent threats have become. (Tenable, Dec 2025)
- Half of manufacturing ransomware incidents were caused by basic IT failures. Unpatched systems, weak security controls, and skill shortages were the top causes. (Sophos, Dec 2025)
- Ransomware gangs are shifting to “extortion-only” attacks. They steal data and threaten leaks instead of encrypting files — making recovery far harder. (Sophos, Dec 2025)
- Critical sectors were hit hardest: manufacturing, healthcare, energy, and finance. These industries face rising attacks due to aging systems and operational complexity. (Industrial Cyber, 2025)
- Cloudflare suffered a major global outage impacting businesses worldwide. Even without an attack, system fragility caused widespread service interruptions. (The Guardian, Dec 2025)
- 80% of companies hit by ransomware ended up paying the ransom. Largely due to weak, outdated backup and recovery systems. (TechRadar, 2025)
The message is clear: reactive IT is no longer sustainable. The businesses succeeding in 2026 will be the ones investing now in stronger security, strategic planning, and reliable systems.
How to Start the Year Off Strong
So what should you do? If you’re setting priorities for 2026, here are three high-impact IT resolutions every organization should make to strengthen operations and stay ahead of risk.
1. Strengthen Cybersecurity from the Ground Up
Even the most basic safeguards—patching, secure backups, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and security monitoring—are still where many businesses fall short. And it’s costing them. A single incident can halt production, damage reputation, and put insurance coverage at risk.
Make 2026 the year you:
- Audit current cybersecurity posture and identify gaps
- Implement MFA across all systems
- Confirm backups are reliable, tested, and able to support business continuity
- Add 24/7 monitoring and alerts to catch issues before they escalate
- Train employees regularly on phishing and social engineering
Why it matters:
A proactive cybersecurity strategy doesn’t just protect your business—it helps control premiums, meet compliance requirements, and reduce operational disruption. When security is strong, leadership can focus on growth rather than recovery.
2. Create a Scalable Technology Roadmap That Supports Growth
Many organizations grow faster than their technology does. Systems become patched together, applications multiply, and inefficiencies quietly siphon time and resources.
A strategic roadmap ensures your technology investments are aligned with your business goals—not just today but 12–36 months down the road.
In 2026, prioritize:
- Documenting your current IT environment
- Identifying what systems need upgrading, consolidating, or replacing
- Budgeting proactively for hardware refreshes and lifecycle management
- Evaluating cloud adoption or hybrid options for flexibility
- Planning for future headcount, locations, or acquisitions
Why it matters:
Without a plan, IT becomes reactive—and reactive IT is expensive. A well-built roadmap (and an experience IT partner) keeps operations stable, positions you for growth, and helps leadership make informed decisions before issues become urgent.
3. Reduce Operational Friction by Modernizing Critical Systems
Decision makers often feel the symptoms long before they see the root cause: slow applications, frustrated employees, downtime, and processes that require workaround after workaround.
Modernizing key systems can dramatically improve productivity and reliability.
Focus on modernizing areas such as:
- Line-of-business applications that are outdated or frequently offline
- Network performance, especially for multi-site operations
- Device management for on-site and remote teams
- Security tools that no longer meet evolving threats
- Backup and disaster recovery systems that can’t support current demands
Why it matters:
Modern infrastructure reduces downtime, improves user experience, supports hybrid teams, and eliminates the hidden costs that accumulate when outdated technology slows everything down.
Ready to Make These Resolutions Stick?
The most successful organizations aren’t the ones with the most technology—they’re the ones with the right technology, built on a stable, secure foundation and supported by a proactive partner.
If you want 2026 to be your most secure and productive year yet, Entec can help you evaluate where you stand today and build a practical, strategic plan for what comes next.
Let’s make this the year your IT works for you—not against you. Contact us to connect with an Entec engineer today!