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IT Horror Stories: The Lack of IT Maturity

Dustin Miller

Oct 21 2025

3 min read

At an industrial manufacturing company, the warning signs were everywhere. Over five years, the company went through multiple IT directors, none with a long-term vision. Much of their technology was over a decade old, data governance was nonexistent, and critical protections like multi-factor authentication (MFA) and managed detection and response (MDR) were missing. The gaps left them exposed.

In December 2024, the inevitable happened. The company was compromised, and sensitive data was exfiltrated. Overwhelmed, they called Sikich. Working through the holidays and into the new year, we helped them recover. It’s a chilling reminder that when IT maturity is missing, a breach isn’t a question of if, it’s a matter of when.

The Horror of Low IT Maturity

Think of IT maturity like the difference between constantly putting out fires and building a fire prevention system. Companies with low IT maturity are always reacting to problems instead of planning ahead. That means their technology is old, their defenses are weak, and their visibility is poor. The result is a higher likelihood of cyberattacks

Old Tech = Easy Targets
When your servers, software, and hardware are 10–15 years old, they’re riddled with weaknesses hackers know how to exploit. In fact, 60% of breaches involve unpatched or outdated systems
No MFA = Open Door
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is now standard. It’s like adding a deadbolt to your digital front door. Without it, all an attacker needs is a stolen password to get in. Microsoft found that MFA blocks 99.9% of automated attacks
No Monitoring = No Awareness
Without tools like Managed Detection and Response (MDR) or 24/7 monitoring, companies can be breached for months without knowing it. IBM reports the average breach goes undetected for 204 days. That gave attackers ample time to move through their systems and steal data.

Sikich’s Solution: Building IT Maturity from the Ground Up

Sikich partnered with this industrial manufacturer to not just contain the breach, but to rebuild trust in their IT environment:

Incident Response with Arctic Wolf: Agents and sensors deployed across endpoints and networks for real-time visibility.
MFA Everywhere: Rolled out across SSL VPN, CW/Automate, ScreenConnect, and key line-of-business applications.
Strategic Planning: Long-term IT roadmap to replace aging servers, firewalls, switches, and SD-WAN devices.
Governance & Assessments: Onsite evaluations across 14 U.S. and Mexico locations, including wireless assessments, to establish security baselines.

With a foundation of proactive governance, modern infrastructure, and monitoring, we helped the manufacturer to move from reactive firefighting to mature, strategic IT management.

Mature Your IT Before It Becomes a Horror Story

If your systems are outdated, missing MFA, and running without monitoring, your company is leaving the door wide open for attackers. That’s how IT gaps turn into full-blown IT Horror Stories.

Don’t wait until a breach forces your hand. Build a long-term plan now to modernize, secure, and govern your technology.

Stop Settling for Bad IT. Turn IT into a Strength

Contact Sikich today for a free IT maturity and security assessment. We’ll help you close gaps, upgrade outdated systems, and put governance in place so your business stays resilient.

Claim Your Free Assessment →

This publication contains general information only and Sikich is not, by means of this publication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or any other professional advice or services. This publication is not a substitute for such professional advice or services, nor should you use it as a basis for any decision, action or omission that may affect you or your business. Before making any decision, taking any action or omitting an action that may affect you or your business, you should consult a qualified professional advisor. In addition, this publication may contain certain content generated by an artificial intelligence (AI) language model. You acknowledge that Sikich shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by you or any person who relies on this publication.

About the Author

Dustin Miller

Dustin Miller is a principal, who supports the managed services practice in the role of virtual chief information officer (vCIO). Dustin helps business owners and executives understand their current IT assets, create a vision and multi-year roadmap for IT that integrates with business objectives, and align specific technology initiatives within the annual budgeting process. He provides ongoing collaboration and serves as an executive-level technology team member that understands and can speak to both technology and business topics.