Think Your IT Company Has You Covered? Ask These First.
Cybersecurity threats, data loss, and IT headaches don’t usually start with a big explosion — they sneak in quietly, through the cracks in a weak IT setup. That’s why business owners need to ask the right questions before trusting any provider with their systems.
We’ve put together a powerful list of 21 must-ask questions — pulled directly from our free guide — that expose whether your IT partner is truly protecting your business or just reacting after things go wrong.
If you’re not confident in every answer, you could be at serious risk.
5 Signs You’re Not Getting the IT Support You Deserve
1. You Can’t Reach a Real Person When You Need Help
If your provider only accepts tickets through a portal or responds on their own schedule, you’re not a priority. You should always have the option to call, email, or use a portal — and get a response quicklyIntermixIT – 21Questions.
2. They Don’t Offer After-Hours or Emergency Support
Tech problems don’t wait for business hours. Your IT company should respond in 15 minutes or less to critical issues — nights, weekends, and holidays includedIntermixIT – 21Questions.
3. Their “Unlimited” Plan Has a Long List of Exclusions
Watch out for surprise charges. Many firms claim to offer flat-rate support, but bill extra for backups, disaster recovery, cloud services, or vendor support. Ask what’s not includedIntermixIT – 21Questions.
4. They Don’t Meet with You Quarterly
A real IT partner sits down with you to discuss business goals, compliance concerns, budgets, and upcoming projects. These meetings keep your technology aligned with your futureIntermixIT – 21Questions.
5. You Don’t Have Documented Network Access or Backup Plans
No single tech should hold all the keys. Your provider should give you documentation of your systems, passwords, licenses, and a tested recovery plan — updated regularlyIntermixIT – 21Questions.
What This Means for Your Business
When providers cut corners, your business pays the price:
- You lose data
- You experience extended downtime
- You become vulnerable to ransomware
- You fall out of compliance
- You overspend on IT with nothing to show for it
With managed IT services, you should have full visibility, daily monitoring, and proactive planning — not just a help desk number.
What to Look for in a Trustworthy IT Company
The full 21-question checklist covers everything you need to ask — including:
- Proof of fast response times
- Who audits their cybersecurity protocols
- How they handle remote work
- Whether they carry proper cyber liability insurance
- How quickly they can recover your systems in a disaster
- If they perform random backup test restores
- What happens when you want to cancel
You can download the complete guide here to go deeper into every critical area.
Don’t Wait Until Something Breaks
Most businesses don’t realize their IT provider is failing them until something goes terribly wrong. By then, the damage is done.
Avoid costly downtime, compliance risks, and finger-pointing during a crisis. Use these questions to protect your business before it’s too late.
Book a Free 15-Minute Security Strategy Call
Need help evaluating your current IT provider? We’ll walk you through the checklist and help you uncover any hidden risks or overspending.
Schedule your free 15-minute call and we’ll help you protect your business — before something goes wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I ask my IT company about cybersecurity?
Start with MFA, response times, disaster recovery, and their cyber liability insurance coverage — all covered in our 21-question guide.
Is it common for IT providers to hide what’s not included in their contracts?
Unfortunately, yes. Many firms advertise “unlimited” support but charge extra for key services. Ask directly and get it in writing.
What is a SOC and why does it matter?
A Security Operations Center monitors threats in real time. Your IT company should run one or partner with a firm that doesIntermixIT – 21Questions.
How do I know if backups will actually work?
Ask if they do monthly test restores and daily monitoring. We perform random “fire drills” to ensure our clients’ backups are ready for recoveryIntermixIT – 21Questions.
Can my IT provider help with compliance like HIPAA or the FTC Safeguards Rule?
Yes — but not all do. Look for providers who mention compliance and include support in their IT services.
Should I have documentation of my entire network?
Absolutely. You should have a clear record of your systems, passwords, licenses, and how to recover from a disaster — and it should be updated quarterlyIntermixIT – 21Questions.
How fast should my network be back up after a disaster?
Critical systems should be operational in under 6–8 hours, with full recovery in 1–2 days max. We target 1–2 hours for disaster recoveryIntermixIT – 21Questions.
What happens if I need to cancel IT services?
Ask about their offboarding process. Ethical providers make it easy and professional — with no lock-in contracts or threatsIntermixIT – 21Questions.
Why do some IT companies resist sharing info with clients?
Some firms hold documentation hostage to keep you from leaving. That’s a huge red flag. We believe in total transparencyIntermixIT – 21Questions.
How do I get the full checklist?
Download the full guide or schedule a 15-minute consultation to walk through it together.
