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What kind of IT setup do you actually need?

August 18, 2025 by
What kind of IT setup do you actually need?
Lighthouse IT Solutions, Sara Beck

What Kind of IT Support Does Your Business Really Need?

Not every business needs the same level of IT support. Depending on your size, tools, and risk tolerance, your needs could range from occasional help to full-scale IT management. Here’s a simple guide to help you understand where you are, and what kind of support you should be thinking about next.

1. Basic Needs / Low Risk

You’re here if:

  • You have 1–5 employees
  • Most work is done with basic tools (email, documents, web browser)
  • You don’t store sensitive data (like health, financial, or legal info)
  • Your business can tolerate downtime for several hours or even a day

Common signs:

  • “We only call someone when something breaks”
  • “Our guy is cheap and gets the job done, eventually”
  • “We don’t really think about IT unless something goes wrong”

What you need:

  • Ad-Hoc / Break-Fix Support
  • A reliable expert to call when something goes wrong
  • At minimum: documented passwords, verified backups, and antivirus protection

2. Growing Business / Moderate Risk

You’re here if:

  • You have 5–250 employees
  • You use industry-specific software or cloud platforms
  • Downtime longer than an hour or two is too costly
  • You’ve moved past the “we’ll deal with it later” mindset

Common signs:

  • “We’ve had the same issue three times this month”
  • “I think we’re paying for three different cloud storage vendors”
  • “We have a backup system, but I’m not 100% sure it’s working”

What you need:

  • Managed IT Services (MSP)
  • 24/7 system monitoring
  • A responsive helpdesk
  • Management of updates, security, backups, and vendors


3. Mission-Critical / High Risk

You’re here if:

  • You have 50+ employees, or an internal IT team
  • IT downtime halts your business
  • You handle sensitive data (compliance matters: HIPAA, GDPR, etc.)
  • You’re preparing for growth, M&A, or digital transformation

Common signs:

  • “Our internal IT team is overwhelmed”
  • “We need to standardize and document everything”
  • “We’ve had an audit or insurance scare”

What you need:

  • Co-Managed IT Services
  • MSP support to back up your internal IT team
  • Standardized documentation and long-term planning
  • Forecasting, risk mitigation, and alignment with business goals

Final Thoughts

IT support isn’t one-size-fits-all. The right solution depends on how much you rely on technology, and what’s at stake when it fails. Whether you’re a solo operation or a fast-growing company, having the right level of IT support is essential to staying secure, efficient, and ready for what’s next.

Ask the Right Questions