August is like the unofficial reboot button for businesses.
Summer slows down, inboxes pile up, and before you know it, fall is here—and so are year-end goals, busy seasons, and budgeting headaches.
Before the fall rush hits, now’s the time to clean up the tech clutter that’s quietly dragging down your systems.
Just like you’d prep your storefront, team, or books, your network needs some attention too.
Here’s a quick (but powerful) IT hygiene checklist to help you kick off Q4 strong—with fewer issues, less downtime, and more peace of mind.
SMB Share Cleanup
What it is: Review and organize your shared file drives and folders.
Why it matters: Old files take up space and increase security risks—especially if they contain sensitive data or were shared too widely. Tidying up shared folders keeps information easy to find and limits unnecessary exposure.
What to do:
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Remove outdated files or move them to an archive.
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Review access levels—does everyone need access to everything?
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Rename folders clearly to improve usability.
Patch & Update Audit
What it is: Make sure every server, desktop, laptop, and app has the latest updates.
Why it matters: Most security breaches happen because of unpatched systems. Delaying updates can leave your business wide open to threats.
What to do:
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Check your update logs across devices.
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Confirm third-party apps (like Adobe, Zoom, Chrome) are up to date.
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Document which systems are managed manually vs. automatically.
User Access Review
What it is: Review who has access to what.
Why it matters: Employees come and go. Roles change. But if someone still has access they shouldn’t—or a former employee’s account was never removed—you’re at risk.
What to do:
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Audit all user accounts (especially admin-level).
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Remove access for former employees.
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Adjust permissions for people who’ve switched roles.
Documentation Checkup
What it is: Make sure your IT documentation is accurate and easy to access.
Why it matters: If something breaks, your team (or your IT provider) needs to know what’s where—fast. Outdated or missing documentation wastes time and increases downtime.
What to do:
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Update network diagrams, passwords, vendor contacts, and licensing info.
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Store securely (but accessibly).
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Share updates with your IT provider.
Guest Wi-Fi Audit
What it is: Review and secure your guest Wi-Fi network.
Why it matters: If your guest network isn’t isolated from your main business network, visitors could potentially access sensitive data—intentionally or not.
What to do:
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Make sure your guest Wi-Fi is separate from your business Wi-Fi.
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Change the password regularly.
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Limit the number of connected devices and disable sharing features.
Backup Test
What it is: Test your data backup systems.
Why it matters: It’s not enough to have backups. You need to know they actually work. If disaster strikes and your backup is corrupt, it’s too late to fix it.
What to do:
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Run a test restore to make sure everything is working.
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Review backup schedules and retention policies.
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Check offsite/cloud backup integrity.
Your business can’t afford hidden IT messes when fall hits full speed. A few proactive steps now can save you hours of downtime—and thousands in emergency fixes—later.
Need a hand with the tech side of your checklist?
