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If you’re running operations at a shop in the Midwest, you know this truth better than most: IT isn’t just about computers anymore—it’s about uptime. And when your production line depends on both CNC machines from the ‘90s and cloud-connected systems from last year, “keeping it running” is more complex—and more critical—than ever.
Here’s how to build a cyber-resilient operation without turning your day into a fire drill—in just 90 days.
Start with a foundational obsession: uptime.
Downtime isn’t a tech problem—it’s a production crisis. Your customers don’t care if it was a ransomware attack or a server burp. They care about missed deadlines and broken promises. That’s why every IT move should be filtered through this question:
“Does this help us stay running?”
If it doesn’t, it’s a distraction. If it does, it’s worth investing in.
Document everything you learn about your systems.
Here’s the deal: tribal knowledge isn’t enough anymore.
That’s the know-how locked inside one or two people’s heads—the folks who just know how to fix things when they break. It might be your nephew who set up your backups, or the plant manager who remembers how the old ERP boots after a crash.
But what happens if they’re sick? Or leave?
If it’s not written down, it’s a liability.
Start small:
- Map out every piece of hardware and software.
- Keep track of who has access and why.
- Write down your backup schedule, patching cadence, and login credentials (stored securely, of course).
This doesn’t just protect your shop—it protects your people.
Share what’s working (and what isn’t) with your internal team.
Cybersecurity isn’t just the IT guy’s job. It’s cultural.
Talk about it in your team huddles. Post reminders in the breakroom. Make it clear that reporting suspicious emails isn’t tattling—it’s protecting jobs.
When everyone’s in the loop, human error drops—and your resilience rises.
Engage with others who are solving the same problems.
You’re not alone. There are plant managers, operations leads, and IT coordinators all over Chicago and Northern Illinois wrestling with the same headaches: compliance, legacy systems, ransomware risk.
Get in the conversation. Whether it’s:
- A quick LinkedIn post asking how others handle DoD compliance,
- A local roundtable event,
- Or working with a Chicago-based MSP who’s been doing this since ’83...
The right partnership can turn cyber-anxiety into peace of mind.
Stick to this for 90 days and you won’t just avoid failure—you’ll build a system that bends without breaking.
No one can promise perfection in cybersecurity. But if you:
- Obsess over uptime,
- Document your systems (not just rely on tribal knowledge),
- Share knowledge with your team, and
- Engage with your peers and partners...
You’ll be the guy who didn’t just survive the next IT scare—you led your plant through it with confidence.
Need a guide who speaks both Shop and Server?
That’s what we do at Data-Link Associates. Since 1983, we’ve been helping manufacturers in and around Chicago stay secure, stay online, and stay competitive.
Data-Link Associates, Inc. is a cybersecurity and IT support firm specializing in America's Supply Chain - manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors - since 1983.
(630) 406-8969 or info@datalinkmsp.com
