Digital New Year's Resolutions

Tech Tip 1: Cleanup Everything
Go through old documents and make sure they are properly filed on your computer or cloud storage. Clearing out the old pictures, videos and music from your mobile devices is part of the process. They’re certainly very tedious tasks, but very rewarding once accomplished.
This is when I think I can regain control of my email. There is nothing more daunting than knowing I have 10,000 emails sitting in my inbox. Make time to manage your email folders, bulk file some of these emails, delete most, and try using rules to help you prioritize your incoming email for next year.

Excess emails can make your email program run slower and possibly crash.  Save photos and documents in folders on your computer not in your email program.  

Tech Tip 2: Review Your Backup and Disaster Recovery
The end of the year is a good time to test your current backup strategies. For example, it may be necessary to adjust or come up with a process that meets new compliances. Backups are the cornerstone of all your disaster recovery plans.

Remember "backing off" is not the same as "backing up".   You may back off photos and documents to save room on your computer but it is not a back up unless the data resides in two places.  External Drives can go bad too.  

Tech Tip 3: Update Your Software and Devices
Your office and network have more devices than you may realize. Create an inventory of those devices and run all necessary updates. There are plenty of devices you don’t regularly update that should be part of this process. Routers, wireless access points, security cameras, printers and copiers are often overlooked, but they should get updates along with all your regular computing devices. You should update your applications, operating systems, anti-virus software, iPhones and tablets on a regular basis, not only for new features but more importantly, for timely security updates.

Tech Tip 4: Update Your Passwords
This year shed more light on the cybersecurity issues facing many organizations. Following good password management practices is critical. If it has been a while, now is the best time to change and update your passwords. The need to use passwords with long complex characters, and that are unique to each site, can’t be overstated. There are digital password managers such as LastPass or 1Password but if you choose not to use a manager, then please write down your passwords and keep the list in a safe but accessible (to you) place.

Have a Happy and Safe Digital New Year!