Every year, people make new resolutions. For people, it could be about their health, money, or finding balance. But for small and medium-sized businesses, resolutions are often about staying alive, growing, and staying relevant. As 2026 gets closer, technology is no longer just a tool for businesses; it’s the main way they work, compete, and keep themselves safe.

In the past few years, businesses of all sizes have had to deal with quick changes in technology. Customer expectations have changed, cyber threats have grown, compliance rules have become stricter, and artificial intelligence has gone from “nice to have” to “hard to ignore.” Whether you run a café with a growing online presence, a construction firm managing multiple contractors, or a professional services company handling sensitive client data, your technology decisions this year will shape how resilient and competitive you are next year.

This blog is designed for business owners, founders, and decision-makers—both tech-savvy and non-technical—who want clarity. Rather than chasing every new trend, the focus here is on practical, high-impact tech resolutions that genuinely matter in 2026. These are the foundations every small business should prioritise to reduce risk, improve efficiency, and prepare for sustainable growth.

Resolution 1: Treat Cybersecurity as a Business Risk, Not an IT Issue

Cyber security is often misunderstood as something only large enterprises need to worry about. In reality, attackers increasingly target smaller businesses because they typically have fewer protections in place. Phishing attacks, ransomware, credential theft, and data breaches are no longer rare or highly technical, but rather automated, opportunistic, and relentless.

For many businesses, the real cost of a cyber incident is not just financial. Downtime, reputational damage, loss of customer trust, and regulatory consequences can be far more damaging than the initial attack itself. In 2026, cyber security should be viewed in the same category as insurance, workplace safety, or financial governance—it is a core business risk.

A strong cyber security resolution does not mean investing in the most complex tools available. It starts with fundamentals: secure access controls, regular software updates, staff awareness training, endpoint protection, and clear incident response plans. Just as importantly, cyber security needs ownership at the leadership level, not simply delegated and forgotten.

Resolution 2: Move to the Cloud with Purpose, Not Panic

Cloud adoption has been growing quickly for years, but a lot of businesses still use a mix of old systems, on-premise servers, and cloud tools that they make up as they go. This patchwork method often results in wasted time, money, and security holes.

In 2026, the goal should not be “move everything to the cloud”, but rather “use the cloud where it adds real value”. Cloud platforms offer scalability, flexibility, and improved collaboration—but only when implemented thoughtfully. For small businesses, this can mean easier remote work, predictable costs, better system reliability, and faster deployment of new services.

A practical cloud resolution might involve consolidating file storage, migrating email and collaboration tools, or moving critical applications to a more secure and resilient environment. It also involves understanding data residency, access controls, and cost management to avoid bill shock or compliance issues down the line.

Resolution 3: Make Compliance and Data Protection Non-Negotiable

Regulatory and compliance obligations are becoming more complex across many industries. Data protection, privacy expectations, and record-keeping standards are no longer limited to highly regulated sectors. Customers, partners, and insurers increasingly expect businesses to demonstrate that data is handled responsibly.

For small businesses, compliance can feel overwhelming, especially without dedicated legal or IT teams. However, ignoring it is not an option. In 2026, a strong tech resolution is to understand what data you hold, where it lives, who has access to it, and how it is protected.

This includes implementing clear data handling policies, ensuring secure backups, managing user access appropriately, and maintaining audit trails where required. Compliance is not just about avoiding penalties—it is about building trust and credibility in a market where data breaches are common and confidence is fragile.

Resolution 4: Use AI to Enhance Productivity, Not Replace People

Artificial intelligence has shifted rapidly from experimental to everyday. Tools powered by AI are now embedded in email platforms, customer support systems, marketing tools, accounting software, and data analysis applications. For small businesses, the opportunity lies not in building custom AI models, but in using existing tools to work smarter.

In 2026, AI should be seen as a productivity multiplier. It can reduce administrative burden, improve decision-making, and free up staff to focus on higher-value work. Examples include automated customer responses, smarter scheduling, document summarisation, forecasting, and content drafting.

The key resolution here is intentional adoption. Businesses should identify specific pain points—time-consuming tasks, repetitive processes, or data-heavy decisions—and explore AI tools that directly address them. Equally important is setting boundaries around data use, accuracy, and oversight. AI works best when paired with human judgement, not used as a replacement for it.

Resolution 5: Prioritise Backup and Recovery as a Business Lifeline

Data loss is not always the result of cyber attacks. Hardware failures, human error, software issues, and natural incidents can all lead to critical data becoming unavailable or permanently lost. For many small businesses, a single data loss event can be catastrophic.

Despite this, backups are often overlooked or assumed to be “already handled”. In 2026, a non-negotiable tech resolution is to ensure that data is backed up properly, regularly tested, and quickly recoverable. This includes understanding recovery time objectives and ensuring backups are isolated from primary systems to protect against ransomware.

Backup is not just about storing copies of files—it is about business continuity. Knowing that systems can be restored quickly provides peace of mind and operational confidence, especially during unexpected disruptions.

Turning Resolutions into Reality with ICTechnology

Setting tech resolutions is the easy part. The real challenge lies in execution—especially for small and medium businesses juggling limited time, budgets, and internal resources. This is where having the right technology partner makes a tangible difference.

ICTechnology works alongside businesses to translate intentions into action. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, the focus is on understanding how each business operates, where risks exist, and what improvements will deliver the most value. From strengthening cyber security foundations and planning cloud transitions, to aligning systems with compliance requirements and implementing practical AI tools, the role is to simplify complexity and provide clear, ongoing support.

Importantly, support does not stop at implementation. Ongoing monitoring, advice, and optimisation ensure that technology continues to support business goals as they evolve. For business owners who want confidence that their tech resolutions are not just set—but actually achieved—having a trusted partner can be the difference between progress and stagnation.

Looking Ahead: Why 2026 Is a Turning Point

Technology is no longer moving in small, manageable steps. The pace of change means that standing still is effectively moving backwards. For small businesses, 2026 represents an opportunity to reset, refocus, and build a technology foundation that supports growth rather than holding it back.

The most successful businesses will not be the ones with the most advanced tools, but those with the most intentional approach. Clear priorities, realistic planning, and the right support can turn technology from a source of stress into a genuine competitive advantage.

As you plan for the year ahead, consider which of these resolutions your business has already addressed—and which ones need urgent attention. The decisions made now will shape not just the next 12 months, but the long-term resilience and success of your business.

References

Australian Cyber Security Centre. (2023). Annual cyber threat report 2022–23. https://www.cyber.gov.au

Australian Cyber Security Centre. (2023). Protecting business systems during holiday periods. https://www.cyber.gov.au

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. (2023). Notifiable data breaches report. https://www.oaic.gov.au

Scamwatch. (2023). Scam statistics and alerts. https://www.scamwatch.gov.au

Stay Smart Online. (2023). Small business security guides. https://www.cyber.gov.au