When you’re bootstrapping or burning through runway, every dollar matters. But cutting corners on IT usually costs more in the long run – lost data, security breaches, wasted engineering time. Here are practical ways to get solid IT without overspending.

1. Use Cloud-Native Tools from Day One

Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace gives you email, file storage, collaboration, and video conferencing for $6-$22/user/month. No servers to buy, no maintenance, automatic backups of your cloud data. We specialize in administering both platforms.

2. Enforce MFA Before You Have a Security Team

Multi-factor authentication is free on most platforms and prevents 99% of account compromise attacks. Turn it on everywhere – email, cloud storage, code repos, banking. This single step is more valuable than most expensive security tools.

3. Use a Password Manager

1Password or Bitwarden for your team. Eliminates password reuse, shared credentials in Slack, and “what’s the login for…” messages. $3-$8/user/month.

4. Automate Backups Now (Not After You Lose Data)

CrashPlan or similar offsite backup on every machine. $10/device/month. The first time a laptop dies or gets stolen, this pays for itself a thousand times over.

5. Don’t Let Engineers Do IT

Your $150K/year engineers should be building product, not resetting passwords, configuring WiFi, or setting up new hire laptops. A managed IT provider costs a fraction of one engineer’s time and handles all of it.

6. Get SOC 2 Ready Before Your First Enterprise Client Asks

Enterprise sales cycles are long. If a prospect asks for SOC 2 and you’re starting from zero, that’s 4-6 months before you can close the deal. Getting the controls in place early means you’re ready when the opportunity comes.

7. Standardize Your Hardware

Pick one laptop model for your team (or one Mac and one PC option). Standardization makes support faster, procurement cheaper, and replacement easier. Don’t let everyone buy whatever they want.

8. Document Your Onboarding Process

New hire #3 can figure things out. New hire #15 shouldn’t have to. A documented onboarding process (or better, an MSP that handles it) means every new employee is productive on day one.

9. Separate Personal and Company Data

If employees use personal devices, implement MDM (mobile device management) that separates company data from personal. When someone leaves, you wipe company data without touching their personal photos.

10. Plan for Remote from the Start

Even if you’re in an office today, build your IT as if everyone could work remotely tomorrow. Cloud-based tools, VPN access, device management that works anywhere. This gives you hiring flexibility and business continuity.

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Need IT help? Seashore IT provides managed IT, cybersecurity, and compliance for businesses with 1-250 employees across the Western US. Call 844-867-1587 or email info@seashoreit.com.

Seashore IT – Your transparent IT partner, aligned to your goals, embedded in your success.