Need guidance on setting up a network system in your workplace?
Need guidance on setting up a network system in your workplace?
Hey there! I'm new to this role and just got my first job in marketing. I really appreciate your help with this IT setup task. Since we're a small business that outsources our IT, the company hasn't been doing a great job yet. My boss assigned me to learn everything needed to build a secure, fast, and reliable network for the business. Could you share some recommendations or resources I should check out? I'm already comfortable with home/gaming PCs but have never worked on IT for a business before. Thanks a lot!
You’re clearly not the right person for this. Your boss expects you to handle a secure network without proper expertise, which isn’t realistic. Hiring experts for setup and maintenance is essential—outsourcing keeps costs down. Training is crucial; without it, mistakes are likely, and downtime can cost big. Don’t assume everything works out automatically. Consider researching alternatives and don’t settle for half-measures. If you’re serious about this, follow a clear plan and keep detailed records of all actions.
These initial comments reflect my genuine response. If we don't act now, things are likely to worsen significantly. We must challenge the assumptions and ask directly what's going wrong and what efforts have been made to resolve it. I expect the answer will align with their reluctance toward a BCP approach due to lack of understanding. This makes sense given why they outsource IT. Until we have clear, valid reasons for the shortcomings, repeating the same problems is likely, and worse, bigger issues could emerge. As a Marketing Executive, this shouldn't have been the topic. Resist the urge to confirm the problems and consider alternatives like bringing IT in-house or switching MSPs.
I was reminiscing about those old replies when I realized I'm back in 2007. The mention of "on prem server" and "backups" makes sense given the current situation with the boss and the IT department. It seems like a small team, possibly just three people, and the leader is frustrated with the support from his unscrupulous MSP. He might have considered hiring someone more capable instead of cutting costs. I've seen similar stories before—local AD admins often do better than disgruntled remote grads. They usually have robust infrastructure: a $2500 firewall, 10Gb switches, and cloud-based services like Office 365. It's clear they need professional help with VLANs, AD setup for multiple devices, and possibly some networking upgrades. The whole scenario highlights the shift from basic setups to modern cloud solutions.
I understand. My parents operate a tiny business (just two) and I handle their IT stuff. I set up Google Wi-Fi so I can manage it remotely easily—just that’s it. No complicated security systems, no need to hire an MSP or set up a domain controller. But a marketing executive likely isn’t the same as a few real mom-and-pop owners. If they really are that simple, they probably don’t require outside IT help; a basic router should suffice. The issue arises when the setup moves beyond that—then things quickly change. If you’re at that level where a gaming router or something similar isn’t enough, you likely need someone with real expertise. Just my .02
Besides the "Stop now" guidance, avoid operating a server or NAS without proper expertise. Opt for an enterprise Office 365 environment for file sharing and regularly create backups—each person should handle their own copies. Cloud file sharing isn’t a backup solution. Centralized storage won’t meet business needs without professional setup and upkeep. Prevent users from using personal storage devices, as they could be lost, stolen, or misplaced. Without a skilled team managing the system, recovery plans become impossible.