Time to Act Like the Tech Company You Are!
Whether you sell coffee, ship freight, provide healthcare, or manage real estate, you’re now a tech company first and a “whatever-else” company second. That’s not marketing spin, it’s the reality of how work gets done and how customers experience your brand.
Every core department runs on technology, including Sales through CRM and E-Commerce, Operations through Cloud Apps and IoT Devices, Finance through Digital Payments and ERPs, and HR through Portals and Payroll Platforms. Your “product” may be physical, but your value chain is digital - and so are your biggest risks.
That shift demands a new approach in treating your Systems, Data, and Infrastructure as crown-jewel assets, not back-office overhead. That's because your network, cloud platforms, and SaaS tools are the factory floor. If they’re slow, fragile, or poorly managed, productivity and revenue will suffer.
Additionally, customer and employee data are high-value targets. If stolen or misused, the damage to brand reputation can be far worse than the negative results of any cyberattack. With this in mind, your company's websites, apps, social media, or reviews are now the front door to your organization. One breach or severe outage to any of those virtual doorways can go viral in minutes.
That's why operating as a “tech company” means making strategic choices in a few key areas:
Strategic IT, Not Reactive IT. Technology decisions should be made at the leadership table, tied to business goals and risk appetite - not as last-minute purchases to “keep the lights on.”
Modern, Secure Architecture. Use the Cloud where it makes sense with Up-To-Date Hardware and Software, Strong Identity and Access Controls, Multi-Factor Authentication, Encrypted Data, Tested Backups, and Clear Incident Response Plans.
Vendor and SaaS Governance. Every app you adopt expands your attack surface. Vet providers for security, reliability, and compliance; understand how they handle your data and have an exit plan if they fail you.
Culture and Skills. Train every employee from front desk to CEO so they play a role in protecting the company. Phishing Awareness, Safe Data Handling, Strong Password Habits, and Clear Reporting Paths are non-negotiable.
Reputation and Resilience. Plan for “when,” not “if” with Crisis Communications, Customer Notifications, and Recovery Playbooks, which should be in place before an incident happens.
Stay Up-to-Date. Replace outdated phone systems with cloud-based ones, especially for companies that focus on customer care and have Call Centers that should introduce AI for better customer experience (CX) and employee experience (EX).
Secure and Protect. Implement cyber-monitoring to protect all internal tech to ensure it is secure and effective in protecting your business and its customers.
In a digital-first world, your tech posture is your business posture. Companies embracing this philosophy will be stronger, more resilient, and trusted compared to those that treat technology as an afterthought.
Contact the team at GCG today to become the "tech" company you are meant to be!