Need an IT Reality Check? How a Centriworks IT Assessment Can Help

You wouldn’t drive a car for years without getting it checked out, so why treat your business technology differently? Most companies we work with are surprised by what’s lurking in their IT systems: outdated security patches, hardware on its last legs, or network configurations that create daily headaches for their team.

 

That’s where a Centriworks IT assessment comes in. We thoroughly examine your technology environment to uncover issues before they become expensive problems. Our team examines everything from server performance to network security, giving you a clear picture of what’s working and what needs attention.

 

For organizations like healthcare providers and financial institutions, where technology downtime isn’t just inconvenient—it’s potentially catastrophic—these assessments are particularly valuable. They provide the intelligence you need to make smart technology decisions that support your business goals.

 

The end result? You’ll walk away with practical recommendations that strengthen security, boost performance, and save money by eliminating unnecessary expenses.

Understanding the Centriworks Assessment Process

A Centriworks assessment offers a methodical examination of your entire technology ecosystem. Typically, the process begins with Centriworks professionals spending several days onsite, gathering information about your technology environment—both the visible components and the behind-the-scenes systems that keep your operation running.

The assessment team conducts interviews with key staff members to understand pain points and workflows. They collect data on your servers, workstations, networking equipment, software applications, and security measures. This comprehensive inventory serves as the foundation for all recommendations.

The assessment follows a structured methodology that includes:

• Baseline security analysis of all servers, computers, and networking systems
• Identification of current IT needs and challenges through staff interviews and system examination
• Development of a Plan of Action with Milestones (POAM) that serves as a roadmap for security and operational improvements

What makes the Centriworks approach particularly valuable is its focus on both immediate concerns and long-term planning. Rather than simply identifying problems, the assessment provides a blueprint for addressing them in a logical sequence based on priority, budget considerations, and operational impact.

Common Issues Revealed Through IT Assessments

Most organizations are surprised by what a thorough assessment uncovers. Here are the issues that frequently come to light:

Aging Infrastructure

Many businesses operate with servers, switches, or workstations that are years beyond their expected lifespan. This aging equipment often creates bottlenecks that slow down operations. The assessment might reveal servers running outdated operating systems that no longer receive security updates, or network switches operating at speeds far below current standards.

For example, a healthcare facility may have switches that are 10+ years old, limiting network speed and reliability when staff need to access electronic health records quickly. These performance issues are not only frustrating for employees—they impact patient care and compliance.

Improperly Spec’d Hardware/Software

Even relatively new equipment can cause problems if it wasn’t selected with your specific needs in mind. The assessment often identifies hardware that lacks sufficient processing power, memory, or features to properly support your organization’s requirements.

Common examples include Wi-Fi systems with too few access points for proper coverage, servers without adequate storage capacity, or workstations lacking the memory needed to run multiple applications simultaneously. These mismatches between technology capabilities and business needs create daily friction for your team.

Security Vulnerabilities

Perhaps most concerning are the security gaps that assessments typically uncover. These might include:

• Firewalls running outdated firmware with known vulnerabilities
• Weak or nonexistent password policies
• Lack of multifactor authentication for critical systems
• Open ports or rules that unnecessarily expose internal systems
• Inadequate backup protocols that wouldn’t protect against ransomware
• Missing endpoint protection on workstations

Given the rising threat of sophisticated cyberattacks, these vulnerabilities represent significant business risks that many organizations don’t realize they’re carrying.

Network Inefficiencies

Network problems often lurk below the surface until they cause major disruptions. The assessment might identify redundant internet connections that aren’t properly configured for failover, Wi-Fi dead zones in critical areas, or network equipment that creates bottlenecks between different parts of your facility.

These network issues can prevent access to critical applications and information when you need them most.

The Financial Benefits of an IT Assessment

While there’s a cost associated with conducting an IT assessment, the potential financial benefits far outweigh this investment in several ways:

Cost Savings Through Optimization

The assessment often identifies services or equipment you’re paying for but don’t need. For instance, you might discover duplicate internet connections without proper failover configuration, unused software licenses, or services that could be consolidated or eliminated. These immediate savings can sometimes offset the entire cost of the assessment.

Preventing Expensive Downtime

System failures and security breaches carry enormous costs—both in immediate response expenses and in lost productivity. By identifying and addressing potential failure points before they cause outages, an assessment helps prevent these costly disruptions.

Effective Budget Planning

Technology expenses shouldn’t be surprises. Yet without proper assessment and planning, many organizations find themselves making emergency purchases when critical systems fail unexpectedly.

The assessment provides a roadmap that helps you plan technology investments over multiple years, spreading costs appropriately and ensuring that you allocate resources to the most critical needs first. This prevents the financial strain of emergency replacements and allows for more strategic technology spending.

Meeting Insurance Requirements

Cyber insurance has become essential for most organizations, but insurers are increasingly requiring specific security measures before providing coverage. The assessment identifies gaps in your security posture that might affect your insurability or premium costs, allowing you to address these issues proactively rather than discovering them during an insurance application or renewal.

Strengthening Security with Assessment Insights

Cybersecurity now represents a core business requirement. The assessment provides critical insights into your security posture and recommends improvements.

Understanding the Modern Threat Landscape

The assessment educates leadership about current cyber threats specifically targeting your industry. This includes ransomware attacks that can lock access to critical records and operational systems, often resulting in six-figure ransom demands and weeks of disruption. These sophisticated attacks can paralyze daily operations, compromise sensitive data, and cause significant financial and reputational damage without proper security measures in place.

Building Multiple Layers of Protection

Effective security requires multiple defensive layers. The assessment typically recommends a comprehensive approach that includes:

• Updated firewall technology with proper configuration
• Advanced endpoint protection that goes beyond traditional antivirus
• Secure backup systems with immutable copies stored off-site
• Multifactor authentication for sensitive systems
• Security awareness training for all staff

Prioritizing User-Focused Solutions

The strongest technical protections can be undermined by human error. The assessment identifies opportunities to strengthen this human element through:

• Regular security training programs that build awareness of phishing and other social engineering tactics
• Clear password policies and password management tools
• Multifactor authentication that adds protection beyond passwords
• Ongoing testing to measure security awareness

Moving from Reactive to Proactive Security

Many businesses operate in a reactive security mode—responding to incidents after they occur. The assessment helps businesses shift to a proactive stance, identifying vulnerabilities before they can be exploited and establishing monitoring systems that detect unusual activity early.

Operational Improvements from Assessment Recommendations

Beyond security and cost benefits, the assessment often reveals opportunities to improve day-to-day operations in meaningful ways:

Empowering Your Team

Technology should enable your team, not hinder them. The assessment identifies bottlenecks that slow down work processes and recommends solutions like:

• Upgrading network infrastructure to improve application response times
• Implementing proper Wi-Fi coverage for mobile devices
• Optimizing server resources to reduce system delays
• Standardizing workstation configurations for easier support

Building Future-Ready Infrastructure

Technology needs to evolve constantly. The assessment helps create an infrastructure that can adapt to changing requirements, such as:

• Network capacity to support new clinical applications
• Proper segmentation for guest and resident Wi-Fi access
• Scalable storage solutions for growing data needs
• Support for mobile and remote work capabilities

Improving Reliability Through Redundancy

When your business depends on technology, system reliability should be your top priority. An IT assessment from Centriworks identifies single points of failure and recommends appropriate redundancy measures like:

• Secondary internet connections with automatic failover
• High-availability firewall configurations
• Proper backup and recovery systems
• Uninterruptible power supplies for critical equipment

Each of these improvements translates directly to better daily operations: fewer technology frustrations, more reliable systems, and ultimately better service for your customers.

The Strategic Value of Your IT Assessment

A comprehensive IT assessment is about creating a foundation for technology that truly supports your organization’s mission. By providing visibility into your current environment and a clear roadmap for improvements, a Centriworks assessment delivers both immediate benefits and long-term strategic value.

The insights gained through this process help you eliminate unnecessary costs, prevent disruptive outages, strengthen security, and improve daily operations. For organizations where technology plays a critical role, these benefits translate directly to better service delivery and efficiency.

If your organization has been dealing with persistent IT challenges or simply wants to ensure that your technology investments align with your needs, a Centriworks assessment offers the clarity and direction you need to transform your IT environment from a source of frustration to a strategic asset.

We’re ready to help you work smarter.