The world has changed dramatically since the pandemic in 2020, nearly every business faced disruption to it’s operations. As employees rapidly shifted to remote work, IT teams were tasked with delivering fast solutions to keep work running as smoothly as possible.
The crucial role of IT became more visible during this time. Even now, as businesses have adapted to new ways of working, IT teams continue to manage ongoing challenges around cybersecurity, emerging technologies, and remote work. These pressures are especially significant in critical industries like healthcare, food supply chains, distribution, and manufacturing.
Common IT Challenges for UK Businesses
Here are some of the most common IT challenges facing businesses today, along with practical solutions:
IT budgets decreasing
Limited budgets and resources remain a major concern for IT staff and employers. Many businesses rely on an ever-growing range of applications, which increases pressure on both systems and teams. For small and medium-sized businesses especially, decisions about upgrading or purchasing technology often come down to margins.
IT should remain a priority in today’s business landscape. Finding cost-effective solutions is essential and outsourcing IT can provide the support businesses need without stretching resources too thin.
Technology overload
To enable remote collaboration, businesses have rapidly deployed new tools. But unfamiliar software often leaves staff frustrated and reaching out to IT for help.
Introducing proper training before rolling out new platforms reduces strain on IT teams. At CT, we support customers with CT Knowledge — a microlearning platform offering short, easy-to-follow training sessions to help teams get the most out of both existing and new systems.
Cybersecurity
Data breaches continue to dominate headlines, with attacks becoming more sophisticated and difficult to prevent. The shift to remote and hybrid working has only amplified risks. Educating employees on basic security practices is critical, particularly when they’re working from home or using personal devices.
Real-time monitoring of networks and devices is also a must. Businesses should regularly review their current security strategy to understand what’s effective — and where improvements are needed.
Backup and disaster recovery
If you’ve ever lost a file, experienced a server crash, or faced a data failure, you know how vital reliable backup and disaster recovery plans are. Many IT teams still struggle with inadequate storage solutions or limited resources.
While few businesses had a pandemic response plan, every organization should have continuity measures in place. The right backup and recovery strategy is essential for minimizing downtime and reducing costs when problems arise.
Moving forward
A key challenge for IT teams today is balancing increased demand on network infrastructure, rising user support needs, and growing security threats. As the technology landscape continues to evolve, reviewing your IT strategy has never been more important.
Now could be the right time to consider a Strategic IT Review.
