Cipher Integrations - Network Services

Step One: Needs Assessment

The Needs Assessment is Cipher's first step in the process of understanding your network and the key to preparing the next phase of the process, the System Findings and Plan. The Needs Assessment allows our network staff to perform on-location inventories of your hardware and software and to interview staff members regarding their concerns. Staff member interviews allow for first-hand accounts of network slowdowns, insight into backup and disaster plans in place and identification of underlying network usage throughout your organization.

How a Needs Assessment Works
On-Site Visit: Cipher team members will visit your location(s) and take a detailed inventory of your system including hardware and software currently in use. Data Storage and Backup Checks: Make sure your backup plan takes into account off-site storage, rotation of backup media and a detailed responsiblity overview and identification of key staff that will be responsible for storage of backup media. Preliminary Documentation: Do you have a list of every peice of hardware and every installed software package that connects to or interacts with your system? Cipher can make sure you know exactly what is running on your network. Security and Vuneralbility Assessment: Cipher will identify and detail security threats present on your network from unsecured access points, open ports, firewall failures and other threats that can disrupt your normal business operations.

How a Needs Assessment Works

On-Site Visit: Cipher team members will visit your location(s) and take a detailed inventory of your system including hardware and software currently in use.
Data Storage and Backup Checks: Make sure your backup plan takes into account off-site storage, rotation of backup media and a detailed responsiblity overview and identification of key staff that will be responsible for storage of backup media.
Preliminary Documentation: Do you have a list of every peice of hardware and every installed software package that connects to or interacts with your system? Cipher can make sure you know exactly what is running on your network.
Security and Vuneralbility Assessment: Cipher will identify and detail security threats present on your network from unsecured access points, open ports, firewall failures and other threats that can disrupt your normal business operations.

The Next Step: System Findings and Plan

Once your Needs Assessment is complete, Cipher will prepare a System Findings and Plan that outlines all issues discovered during the needs assessment and Cipher's recommended solution. This outline of issues and solutions can show you critical threats, duplication of software packages, identify cost savings opportunities and provide a detailed system plan that allows for future growth.

See an example of our System Findings and Plan