With Christmas done and dusted and 2025 well underway, you’re probably turning your attention to planning for the new year ahead. Sadly, less exciting than mince pies and mulled wine!
If you own a business, particularly one in a sensitive sector like financial services, part of your plans will undoubtedly involve IT. We get it, planning your IT budget can feel like the ultimate juggling act. On one hand, you want to keep up with the latest tech. On the other, you don’t want to overspend or waste money on things you don’t really need. For financial firms in 2025, getting this balance right is more important than ever.
In this blog, we’ll be walking you through where to spend and where to save this year, helping you to save money – and your sanity.
Don’t skimp on cybersecurity
If there’s one area where you should open your wallet a little bit wider, it’s cybersecurity. Cybercriminals are only getting sneakier with their tactics and tech, so staying prepared is more important than ever. And for financial firms, protecting sensitive client data is not only important for your reputation, but also an important part of complying with industry regulations.
As a starting point we recommend:
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): If you’re not already using MFA everywhere, then it’s time to make it a priority. It’s simple, effective, and not super pricey, so you really have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
- 24/7 monitoring tools: Cyberattacks don’t wait for business hours, so investing in tools that can keep an eye on things around the clock is a good idea. Real-time alerts can help to stop small issues before they turn into really big ones.
- Regular updates and patches: Not exciting, we know, but keeping your systems and software up to date is one of the easiest (and cheapest!) ways to block hackers. It’s a good idea to make sure someone’s in charge of this as it’s not something you want slipping through the cracks.
Get ahead on Windows 11
If you haven’t started planning for Windows 11 yet, we really recommend starting now. In fact, we’ve written a whole blog on how to get ready for Windows 11 and why it’s so important, which you can read right here!
Windows 10 end of life is happening in October 2025, so from then on there will be no more security patches, leaving your business at risk if you continue to use it. For this reason, Microsoft is nudging everyone toward upgrading to Windows 11. If you start doing this now, you’ll be ready before the EOL date and won’t be scrambling to upgrade at the last minute – which always costs more.
Here’s why it’s worth budgeting for:
- Better performance: Faster, smoother systems make everyone’s life easier.
- Built-in security: Windows 11 has tougher defences to handle today’s cyberthreats.
- Future compatibility: New software is being built with Windows 11 in mind, so sticking with older systems could leave you out of the loop in more ways than one.
Invest in staff training
Okay we know we bang on about this a lot, but fancy new tech tools are useless if no one knows how to actually use them. That’s why training needs to be part of your budget. Your team doesn’t just need the latest tech; they need the skills to use it effectively.
Here’s a few areas where training can really payoff:
- Microsoft 365 and Copilot: Tools like Copilot are loaded with features that can save your team time. We’re talking drafting emails, comparing PDFs, summarising meetings, and much more.
- Cybersecurity awareness: A lot of cyberattacks start with human error so regular training sessions can help your team spot phishing attempts and avoid risky clicks.
- Everyday features: Did you know Teams can give you a recap of your meetings? Or that Outlook can help write emails for you? These little time-savers add up, but only if your team knows they exist.
Investing in training means you’re getting the most out of your tools and potentially avoiding costly mistakes.
Look for cost-cutting opportunities
Okay, let’s talk every business owner’s favourite language – savings! IT budgets aren’t endless (wouldn’t that be nice?), so it’s worth finding ways to cut costs without cutting corners. Regular audits can uncover these little inefficiencies, and they add up to big savings over time, so here are a few places to look first:
- Consolidate software subscriptions: Do you have multiple tools doing the same thing? It’s a common issue, and cutting down to one solution can save a lot.
- Audit your licenses: How many software licenses are you actually using? If you’ve got extras sitting idle, cancel them.
- Rethink hardware upgrades: Not everyone needs the latest all singing, all dancing laptop. For some roles, a basic model will do just fine.
Collaborate with IT partners
If all of the above is starting to feel a tad overwhelming, then good news; you don’t have to do it alone! Working closely with IT partners can make all the difference. We’re the experts, after all, and can help you create a plan that balances today’s needs with tomorrow’s goals.
Why it can be helpful to outsource your IT:
- They know what’s coming: IT partners stay on top of tech trends and can help you prioritise upgrades or tools that will give you the biggest bang for your buck.
- They spot blind spots: Sometimes, you don’t know what you don’t know, so an outside perspective can help you identify gaps in your strategy.
- They can customise solutions: Every firm is different, so a good IT partner will help tailor a plan that works for your size, budget, and long-term goals.
Remember to share your budget concerns, talk about your priorities, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. The more you collaborate, the smarter your IT spending will be!
Are you ready to be smart with your IT spending this year? Book a chat with Mark today!