Version 1: My parent company’s decision to transfer my organization and three others to a new location without IT support is now falling entirely on me

Title: Navigating IT Challenges in a Shared Workspace: The Case for Professional Support

In recent months, our company embarked on a new chapter by relocating to a shared building coordinated by our parent investment firm. This new environment aims to accommodate not only our budding team of under a dozen employees but also two or three other startups under the same investment umbrella. While the move carries the promise of collaboration and synergy, we find ourselves grappling with a pressing concern: the absence of professional IT support.

Upon moving in, I—perhaps a bit too enthusiastically—offered to assist in setting up our basic network infrastructure. In a bid to create a functional Wi-Fi environment, my colleague and I procured several routers from a local retailer, resulting in a rudimentary network with consumer-grade equipment. While we’ve successfully established connectivity for our team and the investment firm’s employees, the current setup raises significant security and performance concerns.

As discussions circulate among management regarding potential modifications to this network, I have come to a stark realization: my background as a mechanical engineer does not equip me with the necessary skills to navigate the complexities of IT infrastructure. My experience is limited to personal ventures like building gaming PCs, leaving me ill-prepared to manage a multi-company network.

The implications of our shared network are far-reaching, posing risks to security and data integrity. With multiple distinct companies relying on a single consumer-level network, the potential for vulnerabilities is alarming. Pushing the limits of our bandwidth could also lead to performance bottlenecks as we begin collaborating more closely with our neighboring firms.

As I prepare to advocate for the hiring of professional IT staff, I believe it is crucial to present a compelling case to management. Here are some key points I intend to address in future meetings to emphasize the necessity of investing in seasoned IT professionals:

Highlight Security Risks: I will outline the potential vulnerabilities inherent in our current setup, including the heightened risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive company information.
Discuss Performance Limitations: I plan to explain how a shared network may hinder operational efficiency, especially as more companies move in and begin using bandwidth-intensive applications.
Emphasize Compliance: Many industries have strict regulations regarding data security. I intend to mention how professionals can ensure we meet these compliance standards, protecting not only our company but the larger investment firm.
Stress Resource Allocation: It’s essential to convey that the time I spend troubleshooting IT problems detracts from