Mistakes happen — but when running an IT company that provides business clients with invaluable services, you should do everything you can to reduce the quantity and severity of your mistakes. It is more important to business operations than ever, and a single error could result in massive damage. In some instances, even basic errors in IT services have prompted lawsuits, inevitably draining a company’s time, energy, and financial resources.
It is impossible to list all the myriad mistakes and errors that could trigger a lawsuit, as many arise from unique circumstances. Still, here are a few of the more common IT errors that have resulted in lawsuits in recent years:
Producing Non-functioning Software
Business clients expect to be able to take advantage of advertised software solutions to improve operations in meaningful ways. Still, they will be displeased if the software does not work in their IT environment. IT firms must test and retest their solutions in multiple environments to ensure clients can use their tools.
Failing to Meet Client Specifications
Many business clients need bespoke software solutions to ensure efficient workflows. IT providers should avoid the temptation to deliver out-of-the-box solutions, which will almost certainly displease clients. Still, IT firms should verify that the solution they develop meets all client needs, likely unexpected or unique.
Implementing Non-compliant Software or Systems
Many industries are heavily regulated to protect employees, customers, and others from harm. Businesses in these industries need software and systems compliant with existing regulations, so IT providers need to become familiar with regulatory compliance.
Causing Major Crashes
Downtime can cost an organization roughly $9,000 per minute, so business clients will be frustrated, to say the least, by IT partners who cause their systems to crash. IT providers should communicate clearly with business clients about the potential for crashes and schedule downtime if necessary to keep costs low.
Introducing Glitches
Glitches can range in severity from minor inconveniences to major security issues. Double- and triple-checking code, running thorough tests, and regularly releasing updates should keep glitches under control. However, IT firms might still cover themselves with errors and omissions insurance to reduce financial risks associated with glitches.
Developing an Insecure App
App development is among the fastest-growing industries, as many businesses are eager to have their bespoke mobile applications. Though security was historically not a major concern for app developers, increasing mobile malware rates make producing an app with no security concerns more important than ever.
Engaging in Copyright Infringement
Intellectual property is a grave issue in the tech industry, and many tech companies will fight tooth and nail to protect their copyrights, patents, trademarks, and more. IT firms must be careful to avoid infringement, which can have devastating consequences.
Skipping Quality Assurance
Every industry should engage in some degree of quality assurance, but in IT, extensive quality assurance is a must. QA involves monitoring processes, activities, and methods in a project to ensure the quality meets the IT firm’s and its clients’ standards.
Recommending Substandard Tools
Businesses turn to IT experts for advice regarding the tools they need to create and maintain effective systems. IT firms must carefully vet all recommended tools before they advise their clients to use them, or else they could find their clients upset by substandard quality and inapplicability.
Enabling a Data Breach
It should go without saying that a data breach is not an ideal outcome of any IT solution or service. Various IT errors may result in increased risks for data breaches, and IT firms need to be highly aware of the potential ways they may enable a data breach to reduce vulnerability for their clients.
Failing to Encrypt Data
Data encryption is among the simplest and most effective ways to keep data safe. Still, it is relatively easy in complex business systems for decrypted data to be sent or stored, increasing its risk of exposure. IT firms should understand data’s journey and work to encrypt it, especially within their systems.
IT firms take on significant responsibility, regardless of the services or solutions they offer to business clients. Though mistakes can and do happen, IT providers need to understand the more common types of mistakes and take precautions to reduce their impact to keep business clients happy and safe.
