It’s become a joke on late-night television and the premise for a sitcom. Employees in all types of organizations approach the IT department with a mixture of trepidation and awe — they know that the professionals there will most likely fix or explain their issue, but at the same time, they feel intimidated by their own lack of knowledge. They fear that they will be chastised, or worse, made fun of, because they don’t understand how everything works.
These days, corporate IT departments get about as much love and respect as IRS auditors and traffic officers. But it doesn’t have to be this way. There doesn’t need to be an antagonistic relationship between IT and every other department, and that starts with a better understanding of what IT and IT security really do, and why they react or make decisions the way they do.
In fact, some IT pros note that if employees knew a few important facts about how the department works, relationships would be stronger, and as a result, the organization’s overall IT performance would be stronger.
Security Rules Are There for a Reason
One of the IT department’s primary responsibilities is to maintain the security of the corporate network and prevent data breaches. Everyone knows that lapses in security can be costly — just ask the CEO of Target — yet many employees still view security as an annoyance, or think that the rules don’t apply to them.
What employees fail to realize is that IT isn’t requiring regular password changes because they think it’s fun to watch people get frustrated, or restrict access to social media just because they can. Rules are in place to protect the organization and its assets, and generally aren’t arbitrary.
Consumer and Corporate IT Don’t Always Mix
BYOD can be a boon to an organization. Employees are happier using a single device that they are familiar with, the bosses are happy with the higher productivity and lower costs. However, just because you can use your own iPhone or Galaxy tablet for work doesn’t mean that you can use other consumer products to meet your IT needs.
Installing software that you purchased for your home computer on your work computer could cause issues with licensing, for example. The USB device that your cousin gave you could be harboring a virus that will take down the entire network. If you want to use something you purchased yourself at work, check with IT first. In some cases, there won’t be a problem. If there is, IT may be able to work with you to find an alternative, as their sources (like www.xbyte.com) will offer appropriate equipment that meets the organization’s technical, security and budgetary needs.
“Fixing” Problems Isn’t Always Simple
In some organizations, employees expect that they can snap their fingers and all IT needs to do is click a few keys, flip some switches and everything will work as it should. Sometimes, the fix is simple. Many times, though, the problem could take several hours, or even longer, to fix. Trust that they are doing everything they can to make sure everything is working as it should; after all, their jobs are on the line too when the network is down.
We’re Always Under Attack
Some people, especially those who work in small businesses, have a tendency to stick their heads in the sand when it comes to security. They refuse to believe that they could be a target for hackers. However, research shows that more than70 percent of all small businesses have been the target of a cyberattack. When it comes to cybercrime, nothing is safe.
IT spends a lot of time identifying and mitigating risks. It’s important for employees to head their warnings, report suspicious activity and ask questions before acting, such as before opening a questionable email. It’s easier to prevent damage before it happens, so if something looks amiss, it’s better to ask.
You Are Part of the Problem (Sometimes)
The IT team does not expect that the average person will know how to design and install rack servers, or configure the corporate firewall. However, they do expect that you will learn how to use your own machines and manage basic functions that are essential to your job, and that you’ll follow the security rules. If you do, you’ll have far fewer problems, and a better working relationship with IT.
Although IT departments often seem intimidating, like you, they want to do their jobs well and keep everything working as it should. When everyone works together as a team, and understands each other’s needs and motivations, the relationship will be less antagonistic and more productive. Now, if only it were that easy with the IRS.
