How much do you trust your current computer techs?

Whether you have in-house I.T. or outsource it to a vendor, do you know how much control they have?  If you don’t have the information listed below (all of the items below may not pertain to your company) YOU don’t control your company, THEY DO!  It is unfortunate in our industry, but it is not uncommon for some employees or vendors to hold information hostage. The last thing your company needs is an upset employee or IT vendor with EXCLUSIVE access to your network and data.

1. Server Administrator Username & Password – This can not be hacked or reset.  If they have it and you don’t, your only option is to rebuild your server from the ground up.
2. Network Router, Firewall, & Switch Usernames & Passwords – This hardware controls the traffic on your network.  A few minor changes and all network traffic stops.  That means no email, no internet, no access to shared company data.    
3. Domain Name: (yourcompany.com) – Make sure that your web page address is under your companies name and that you have the Username & Password to the registrar.  (i.e. Network Solutions, Go Daddy, etc. 
4. 3rd Party Applications – Usernames and Passwords for any 3rd Party Applications used on the network.  Accounting programs like QuickBooks or Mas90; CRM programs like Act!, SalesLogix, or Salesforce.  
5. Remote Access – Who has remote access? Why? What do they have access to?  How are they accessing it?  VPN, RWW, Log-me-in, GoToMyPC, other?  
6. Network Map – Basic Map of Network if Possible. This can be created from scratch, but any maps help to learn the ins and outs of the network very quickly.
7. Software Licence Keys – Do you own your software licence keys or did you rely on your IT vendor to procure them for you? Are you sure they are legal or are you using the same MicroSoft Office Product Key on all your computers. 
8. Usernames and Passwords – Almost everything in your office has a username and password, hardware and software.  Just because you have a username and password does not mean it is the master administrator username and pasword.  
9. Warranty Information  - What happens if your server hardware fails?  Is it still under warranty?  Do you have that warranty information?  If not this will be a long and costly process. 
10. 10.  Website – Username and Password for Hosting Account for your Website.  Your website is most likely hosted/stored somewhere out on the internet and not on your local servers.  Do you know where it is and the passwords to access it?