Nearly every business relies on information technology (IT) systems—hardware, software, and networks—to support operations. In the age of digital transformation, the complex, ever-changing role of IT within a business often begs the questions:
- What does IT management mean?
- Why is IT management important?
- What is the future of IT management?
IT Management Defined
IT management broadly refers to the administration, optimization, and organization of IT assets and processes. Sure, troubleshooting bugs and fixing computer malfunctions are part of the job, but IT management is so much more than that. IT management ensures that technology is operating efficiently, staying secure, and generating value for the organization.
Whether IT infrastructure is in the cloud, on-premises, or a hybrid of both, IT management focuses on tasks and responsibilities that include:
- Implementing new software, hardware, and data systems
- Aligning IT systems with company goals
- Managing IT budgets and costs
- Gatekeeping network security
- Monitoring risk, safety, and compliance
- Providing technical support and help desk services
- Managing employee access to IT resources
- Auditing tools and resources to continually drive improvements
Why is IT Management Important?
Effective IT management isn’t just “nice to have,” it’s essential.
Technology is an integral part of a modern business. Each department has its own unique tools and processes that enable individuals to get their work done. IT management supports those departments by ensuring that technology is secure, accessible, and running at peak efficiency.
If IT breaks down, digital environments get corrupted, or an organization experiences a full security breach, there are serious consequences. The average cost of a data breach in the US is $4.24 million. On top of financial losses, productivity and daily operations stall out when IT is compromised. However, effective IT management creates established protocols to follow in that event, implements safeguards to minimize damage, and even reduces the chances of that happening in the first place.
What is the Future of IT Management?
In the age of digital transformation, there have been seismic shifts in the way technology underpins business, and it’s simultaneously changing the role of IT in general.
Individual employees and lines of business leaders are increasingly adopting SaaS applications on their own, outside of IT’s purview (aka shadow IT). While autonomous adoption may drive ingenuity, streamline workflows, and even increase revenue, it also causes IT departments to lose visibility and control.
To get back in the driver’s seat and secure blind spots, IT leaders will need to embrace an emerging discipline—SaaS management i.e. the act of managing and tracking all the cloud applications used within an organization. Check out this crash course on SaaS management to learn more.
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