CHECKLIST

Setting up IT for a new office

Darshan Savkar · Published 17 October 2026 · Last reviewed 17 October 2026 · 2 min read

Short answerOrder internet early and have a backup line, put a business firewall in front of the network, keep guest Wi-Fi separate from company devices, and give everyone a managed, encrypted laptop with MFA on their accounts. Protect the network equipment with a lock and a UPS, and write down every password, setting and supplier before day one.

Weeks before the move

Order the internet connection early. Installation can take weeks, depending on the building and provider.
Plan a backup connection, such as a second provider or a 4G/5G router, if a day offline would hurt.
Check the building’s cabling and where the network cabinet, Wi-Fi access points and printers will go.
Decide which equipment you need: firewall, switch, Wi-Fi access points, UPS. Buy business-grade equipment that gets security updates.

Network and Wi-Fi

Put a business firewall between the internet and your network, with its firmware up to date and the default password changed.
Use separate Wi-Fi networks for staff and guests, so visitors’ devices can’t reach company systems.
Use WPA3 where your devices support it, otherwise WPA2, with a strong passphrase, and change it when staff leave.
Put printers, cameras and smart devices on their own network segment where you can.
Set up secure remote access (VPN or a cloud alternative) if staff will work from home too.

Devices and accounts

Give each person a company-managed laptop with disk encryption, automatic updates and anti-malware turned on.
Set up email and files on Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, with MFA for every account.
Set up printers and scanners, and connect scan-to-email or scan-to-folder securely.
Record every device, its serial number and its user in an asset list.

Physical setup

Put network equipment in a locked cabinet or room.
Connect the firewall, switch and Wi-Fi to a UPS, so a short power cut doesn’t drop the network.
Label cables and ports, so problems can be fixed remotely with someone on site describing what they see.

Before day one

Test internet, Wi-Fi coverage in every room, printing and video calls.
Check that backups run for company data.
Write down admin passwords (in a password manager), network settings, and supplier contacts and contract numbers.
Tell staff how to get IT help from day one.