What Are the 7 Major IT Infrastructure Components?

If you own your own business, then you already know how at-risk your company is from cyber threats. In a 2015 survey, 75% of IT pros considered their organization vulnerable to technology or man-made security incidents.

Your entire company runs on Information Technology, or IT. This includes everything from hardware to software to networks to facilities. The better your IT infrastructure, the better your overall company.

As technology improves, so does IT infrastructure. The IT infrastructure ecosystem is quite large now, with seven key areas composing the bulk of your Information Technology. You need to be in the know about all seven to create the most secure, most updated atmosphere for your business.

Here are the major IT infrastructure components.

1. Network Switch

A network switch is pivotal to the rest of your IT infrastructure components. They create the network on which your entire business runs. It’s what connects computers, printers, phones, and servers in a building.

The network switch is the control panel for your entire IT ecosystem. It allows different devices to communicate with each other. This increases employee productivity and saves your business money.

So, it’s imperative that you get a network switch that is high quality. This is the ground on which your IT infrastructure is built; don’t skimp here and get a network switch that serves you without fail.

2. Firewall

Your firewall is another important component of your IT’s infrastructure.

This is the basis of your network security system, monitoring all of the online traffic. It controls incoming and outcoming network data. This is all regulated by previously set rules for security.

If your network switch is the king of the castle, the firewall is the royal guard. Therefore, it’s just as important. Your firewall must be bulletproof.

Choose a security software that offers tremendous firewall protection. What you pay now will certainly be less than what you’d have to pay if your network got breached. It’s definitely a worthy investment.

3. Router

Your router is the main hookup for different networks. This is the actual hardware that connects your local network to either other local networks or the Internet. It’s how you get WiFi, communicate securely to somebody on another network, and is essentially your key to the outside world.

Without a router, your network can do just fine being by itself, connecting to all of the devices within the building or house. But, if you want to have online access or be tethered to someone else’s network, then you’ll need a router.

Preferably, you get a router from the Internet company, such as Comcast. Do your research into both the company you get your service from as well as your specific router. Some aren’t good in terms of quality and have to be reset constantly.

Save yourself a headache and go with a router that runs optimally.

4. Server

This is a computer program that provides functionality for other devices on the network. It’s the center of connectivity for all of your IT infrastructure components.

Depending on the scale of your business and building, the server could be in-house or it could be at a completely separate location. Your connection to your customers and website is crucial to the wellbeing of your business; your server keeps you in contact.

Because this can be either software or hardware, there are multiple ways of keeping your server safe. Of course, there is your firewall as previously mentioned. However, if the server is large enough, there could be physical security to keep it from being hacked.

5. Data Center/Plant

A data center is a physical storage facility that houses computer systems and other IT infrastructure components, like servers, telecommunications, and storage. Your business’ entire history, communications, connectivity, and network data are stored at this location.

This is a critical element of your IT infrastructure. Usually, your data center is where a ton of other company’s data centers are. There are rows and rows of data servers and various hardware stored within a warehouse building.

For everything related to your network, data centers are there to house it. Find out where your data center is and make sure the security of the building is second to none.

6. Infrastructure Software

This is a program or software specifically designed to help business organizations perform basic tasks. These tasks range from workforce support to business transactions online to any internal process.

Considering this is how your day-to-day business is probably run, infrastructure software is another big IT infrastructure component. Look for software that is both secure and efficient, so that it can do all of the tasks you’re looking to perform while at the same time keeping everything safe from prying eyes.

IT software is one of the last components that create a full IT ecosystem. As you can see, with all of this software, hardware, programs, and facilities, having IT support of some sort is extremely helpful.

Speaking of which…

7. People

While this isn’t an IT infrastructure component, employees and IT support are important to the functionality of your entire IT system.

Choosing the best IT support, allowing minimal access to certain employees, and keeping everything – passwords, network information, etc. – under lock and key. If you want your online business to experience massive profits and remain secure at the same time, entrust only a select few on your team to handle your IT infrastructure.

People might be the last thing when considering IT components but they’re as pivotal as the network switch.

IT Infrastructure Components are Vital to Your Success

Having one of these at low quality or unprotected will result in a complete breakdown of all your IT infrastructure components. The entire ecosystem would collapse and your business could be in jeopardy. So make sure your IT is safe and running at peak efficiency.

Make sure you do your IT due diligence and run diagnostics to confirm you are running at the highest and most efficient capacity.

If you want to learn more about how to run a successful online business, check out our archive of business articles.