IT Infrastructure Assessment: A Checklist for Organisations

Assessing your IT infrastructure: devices, network, power and backups

Before choosing any new system, you need to know whether your current infrastructure can run it reliably. In Syria the question matters even more because of power cuts, weak or costly internet and ageing devices. This article gives a clear checklist of what to review and explains how to read the results.

Digital maturity assessment 6 min read

By Nour Aldein Tleti. Updated 7 October 2026.

What should you check when assessing your organisation’s IT infrastructure?

Check seven areas: devices, the internal network, internet connectivity, backup power, backups, accounts and passwords, and licences and software. Each has one key question: is it enough to run daily work reliably and securely? The result tells you whether cloud tools, local solutions or a mix of both suit you, and what must be fixed before any new project.

Devices, network and connectivity

Devices: List the computers, printers and phones used for work, their age and condition, and whether they can handle the software you plan to use.
Internal network: Does the connection reach every office reliably, is the router protected by a strong password and kept updated, and is the guest network separate from the work network?
Internet: What is the actual speed during working hours, how often does the connection drop, and do you have a backup line from another provider?
Phones as work tools: A lot of work happens on phones. Are they protected with a lock, and is their important data saved somewhere else?

Power, backups and security

Backup power: Do you have a UPS, batteries or solar power sufficient to finish essential work, save files and shut devices down safely?
Backups: Where are backups kept, when was the last one taken, and have you actually tried restoring a file from it? An untested backup may let you down when you need it.
Accounts and passwords: Does each employee have their own account, are permissions removed when someone leaves, and is two-step verification enabled on email and key accounts?
Licences and updates: Unlicensed or outdated software opens the door to viruses and data loss, and may stop working without warning.

The most common warning signs

All data on one computer: If the main computer breaks down or is stolen, accounting or sales stops completely.
One shared password for everyone: You don’t know who changed what, and you can’t stop a former employee from logging in.
Nobody responsible for IT: When faults are fixed by calling a relative or a friend, the same problems keep coming back with no documentation or lasting fix.
No documentation of the network and accounts: If nobody knows the passwords for the router, email and hosting, or where they are kept, any small fault becomes a crisis.

How to read the result

What you found	What it means	Suitable direction
Unstable internet and intermittent power	Tools that need a constant connection will fail	Tools that work offline and sync later, plus backup power
Relatively good internet with backup power	Cloud tools can be relied on	Cloud solutions with a backup connection
Old devices and unlicensed software	Risk of breakdowns and data loss	A gradual replacement plan and proper licences
No tested backup	Risk of losing years of data	Regular backups in at least two places, with restore tests

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Frequently asked questions

Is the cloud suitable for companies in Syria?

It suits many companies if there is a reasonable connection and a backup for it, as long as you confirm the service can be reached from Syria and how to pay for it. In locations with weak connectivity, a hybrid approach is safer.

Do we need a server in the office?

Not always. A local server works without internet, but it needs stable power, maintenance and an off-site backup. Compare that with the cost of cloud tools and your connectivity conditions.

What should we fix first after the assessment?

Regular, tested backups, because they protect you from the worst losses at relatively low cost.

Is a small UPS enough?

It is usually enough to save work and shut devices down safely, but not to keep working for hours. Decide what you actually need: a safe shutdown or full continuity.

Who should carry out this assessment?

A trusted technical person can do it with this checklist, but an outside party helps with security and backups, where mistakes are costly.