If 2026 is going to be different, IT resolutions need to move beyond aspirations and turn into clear, achievable actions. The kind that reduce risk, save time and make day-to-day operations easier.
Below are some realistic IT resolutions businesses should be considering as the year begins. Not everything on this list needs a major project or budget approval. Most just need focus and follow-through.
The problem with most IT resolutions
We hear the same goals every January:
- "Improve cybersecurity"
- "Modernise our systems"
- "Look at automation"
- "Get more value from IT"
The issue is not the intent, it is the lack of clarity. If a resolution cannot be explained in plain terms or measured in some way, it usually does not get done.
Real progress comes from smaller, well-defined actions that compound over time. Rather than promising a complete IT overhaul, here are some practical resolutions that actually make a difference.
Lock down access properly
Most security incidents still start with compromised credentials. A strong resolution for 2026 is to take a hard look at who has access to what and tighten it up.
That means:
- Enforcing multi-factor authentication on all critical systems
- Reviewing admin and privileged accounts
- Removing access that is no longer needed
This is not about making life harder for staff. It is about reducing unnecessary exposure. Many businesses are surprised how much access has built up over time, especially after role changes or leavers.
Confirm your backups actually work
Backups are one of those things everyone assumes are fine until they are not. A solid IT resolution for 2026 is to move beyond "we have backups" and confirm they are usable.
That includes:
- Checking backups ran successfully over the holiday period
- Testing at least one restore
- Understanding how long a full recovery would actually take
A backup that has never been tested is not a recovery plan. Testing does not need to be disruptive, but it does need to happen.
Reduce single-person IT risk
Many businesses rely heavily on one person who "just knows how things work". That might be an internal IT lead, an external supplier or a long-standing member of staff. While this often happens organically, it creates real risk.
A sensible resolution for 2026 is to reduce dependency on individuals by:
- Documenting key systems and processes
- Making sure more than one person understands critical areas
- Reviewing supplier relationships and support coverage
This is not about replacing people. It is about resilience. Holidays, illness or staff changes should not leave the business exposed.
Identify one automation that saves time every week
Automation does not have to mean large platforms or complex AI projects. A good starting point is to identify one repetitive task that costs time every week and improve it.
Common examples include:
- User onboarding and offboarding
- Reporting and data collection
- Approval workflows
- Internal requests and forms
Even saving one or two hours per week quickly adds up over a year. More importantly, it frees people up to focus on work that actually adds value.
Run a realistic cyber scenario
Many businesses have policies and plans that have never been tested. A practical resolution for 2026 is to run a simple cyber scenario and see how the business would actually respond.
Ask questions like:
- Who would be notified first?
- Who makes decisions under pressure?
- What systems would be affected?
- What information would be missing?
This is not about technical testing. It is about understanding roles, responsibilities and gaps before a real incident occurs.
Get an honest view of your IT health
Many businesses operate with a general sense that things are "mostly fine" without a clear view of risks, gaps or priorities.
A strong resolution for 2026 is to step back and assess:
- What is working well
- Where the biggest risks sit
- What should be fixed first and what can wait
This can be done internally, but an independent view often highlights blind spots that are easy to miss when you are close to the detail.
What are your IT resolutions for 2026?
Every business will have a different starting point. The important thing is to move from vague intentions to specific actions.
You do not need to do everything at once. Doing a few things well early in the year usually has more impact than ambitious plans that never get finished.
Many of the actions above can be handled internally. Where we typically help is by providing structure, independent validation or simply getting things done when teams are stretched or priorities compete.
If you would like support turning your IT resolutions into practical actions, that is exactly what we do.
Ready to turn resolutions into results?
Whether you need help with access reviews, backup testing, cyber scenarios or proactive IT management, we can help you make progress that sticks.