Business IT Questions People Ask

Many businesses without a full-time IT person get better value from a managed service provider than from one in-house hire. You get a team with broader skills and cover during leave, at a predictable monthly cost. Larger firms often combine both. Managed IT services →

With managed IT, you pay monthly for ongoing maintenance and support. With break-fix, you pay per job after something breaks. Break-fix can be cheaper for a tiny team with few devices. Managed IT usually wins once downtime starts to cost you real money.

A clear SLA. It should state the hours of cover, priority levels, response and resolution targets, what’s included and what’s excluded, how onsite visits are charged, and how you get your data and passwords back if you leave.

Security updates should go on every month, and urgent fixes sooner. A patch management process makes sure updates are tested, installed and checked on every device, not left to each staff member.

Many businesses plan for three to five years, depending on the role and the build quality. Look at the total cost of ownership, not just the purchase price. A cheap laptop that fails often costs more in lost work.

Buying usually costs less overall if you keep devices for a long time. Leasing or device-as-a-service spreads the cost and makes refresh cycles predictable. IT procurement →

Disable their accounts on their last day. Use MDM to lock or wipe company devices and data, and recover the laptop. Before reusing or disposing of a device, wipe it with a proper erasure method.

They can be for roles with light workloads, if the battery, warranty and condition are clear. Refurbished grades aren’t standardised, so ask exactly what each grade means.

Turn on multi-factor authentication for email and admin accounts, keep every device patched, and set up a backup you have actually tested restoring. Cybersecurity for SMEs →

It’s the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore’s certification for organisations that have basic cyber hygiene in place. It’s a good first target for SMEs. More mature organisations can work towards the Cyber Trust mark. Full explanation →

Not on its own. Sync copies deletions and ransomware-encrypted files too. Follow the 3-2-1 rule, with at least one copy kept separate from your everyday systems.

Disconnect affected devices from the network. Don’t pay or wipe anything straight away. Call your IT provider. If personal data may be affected, check your breach notification duties. More on ransomware →

No, not for new applications. Enterprise Singapore stopped the PSG, EDG and MRA grants on 29 September 2026. New applications go through the EDGE grant. PSG projects already in progress continue to be processed. What PSG was →

It depends on the activity. Enterprise Singapore’s FAQ gives a general rate of up to 50% of qualifying costs for SMEs (30% for non-SMEs). Some activities, such as internationalisation and sustainability, get up to 70% (50% for non-SMEs). Total support is capped at S$100,000 per company per year, and digital solutions have a lower sub-cap. Always check the official page before you commit. Full explanation →

If you collect, use or disclose personal data in Singapore, almost certainly yes, whatever your size. You also need to appoint a Data Protection Officer. PDPA explained →

Some breaches must be reported to the PDPC, and there are tight deadlines once you’ve assessed the breach. See exactly when and how →

BitLocker locks the drive when it detects hardware or firmware changes, such as a board or BIOS update. Your IT admin or Microsoft account usually holds the key. How to find it →

Not without proof that you own the device. These locks exist to stop stolen devices being reused. Your IT admin or the original buyer needs to release them. See BIOS password and Activation Lock.

No. Stop using it, unplug it, and don’t press on it or charge it. A swollen battery is a fire risk and should be replaced promptly.

Power it off straight away and unplug it. Don’t switch it back on to check. Get it inspected quickly, because corrosion keeps spreading after the liquid dries. First-hour steps →