Year-End IT Audit: 10 Things to Review Before 2027

The end of the year is a natural moment to step back and check that your technology is secure, cost-effective and ready for the year ahead. This ten-point audit can be completed in a few days and often uncovers quick savings and risks you were not aware of.

1. User accounts and access

Remove accounts for people who have left, check who has administrator rights, and confirm two-factor authentication is enabled on email, banking and key business systems.

2. Backups

Confirm that backups ran successfully all year, and do a test restore of something important. Make sure at least one copy is stored offsite or in the cloud.

3. Software updates

Check that computers, phones, servers, your website and its plugins are up to date. Identify any software that no longer receives security updates and plan its replacement.

4. Domains and certificates

List your domain names and SSL certificates with their renewal dates. A lapsed domain can take your website and email offline, and expired certificates scare visitors away.

5. Subscriptions and licences

Review every software subscription. Cancel tools nobody uses, remove unused seats and check whether annual plans would be cheaper.

6. Website health

Test your site’s speed, check that contact forms and payments work, fix broken links and review your Google Business Profile. Our article on website speed explains what to look for.

7. Personal data

Review what personal data you hold, delete what you no longer need and confirm your obligations under the Data Protection Act are met. See our practical guide.

8. Hardware

Note devices that are slow, failing or out of warranty, and budget for replacements. Make sure every device is encrypted and protected with a passcode.

9. Processes that still run on paper or spreadsheets

Ask each team which tasks took the most manual effort this year. These are your best candidates for automation in 2027. Our digital transformation checklist can help you prioritise.

10. Your technology plan for next year

Turn what you found into a short plan: what to fix immediately, what to budget for, and which projects will deliver the most value. Assign an owner and a date to each item.

Want a second pair of eyes?

Our IT consultancy team offers short year-end technology reviews covering security, systems and costs, with a clear, prioritised action plan for the year ahead. Get in touch to book yours.