IT Essentials: Availability, Security & Mobility
3 min read
Availability, Security, and Mobility: The 3 IT Essentials
IT failures usually happen in one of three ways:
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Systems are down and people can’t work
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Data is exposed due to weak security
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Teams struggle to work remotely safely
Availability, security, and mobility are the foundation of a reliable IT environment—and neglecting them can hurt revenue, reputation, and productivity. Novatech has helped businesses navigate these challenges for 30+ years.
Availability: Keep systems running, keep the business running
Availability answers one question: Can your team work when they need to?
Downtime can cost:
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Revenue (missed sales, delayed billing, stalled operations)
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Productivity (staff waiting on systems or using workarounds)
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Customer trust (missed deadlines, poor service)
Understanding uptime: “Five 9s”
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99.999% uptime (“five 9s”) is ideal but not realistic for every system.
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Ask instead: What does downtime cost, and where do we need resilience most?
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Even 99.9% uptime can mean hours of downtime—critical for business-impact systems.
Best practices for availability
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Identify critical systems – Rank systems by business impact.
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Set recovery targets (RTO & RPO) – Define how quickly systems must return and how much data loss is acceptable.
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Measure from the user perspective – A server may be “up” but unusable if slow or unstable.
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Build continuity into changes – Review new apps or workflows for availability before rollout.
Security: Layered defenses reduce real risk
Security is a combination of controls, not a single tool. Key areas include:
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Access control: Limit who can access what, from where, and how.
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Endpoint protection: Modern anti-malware detects suspicious behavior, not just viruses.
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Application security: Patch and configure all software, including internal apps.
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Email security: Protect against phishing and data leaks.
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Firewalls & network controls: Segment and protect networks.
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Data loss prevention (DLP): Prevent accidental or malicious leaks.
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Mobile security: Encrypt devices, enforce locks, enable remote wipe.
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Secure remote access: Use VPNs or modern alternatives with strong controls.
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Wireless security: Ensure Wi-Fi is configured safely.
Mobility: Work anywhere without added risk
Mobility is more than Wi-Fi; it’s secure, flexible access to work resources.
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Cloud & mobile access are expected – Identity and device security matter.
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IoT devices add exposure – Cameras, printers, and sensors should be segmented and monitored.
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Mobile-first apps – Balance convenience with strong authentication.
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BYOD is common – Personal devices create risk if not managed properly.
Key questions for leaders
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What must never go down?
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Which risks could hurt us most?
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What does secure access look like?
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What is “nice to have” versus truly needed?
Novatech helps businesses clarify priorities and build IT environments that support growth and stability.
FAQs
How do I know if availability is sufficient?
If downtime affects revenue, productivity, or customers more than a few times per year, it’s not enough.
Do we need five 9s uptime?
Only for critical systems—set goals that match downtime costs.
Common security weaknesses?
Weak access control, poor email protection, and inconsistent patching.
Can mobility improve without increasing risk?
Yes—use strong identity, device management, and access policies.
Next step: Assess your environment, prioritize improvements, and build a practical roadmap with Novatech.
