Embracing Remote Work with The Right Technology
Whether you have accepted it within your business or not, remote work will only grow and become a necessity for businesses to offer partial or full remote.
If you currently offer remote work or are looking at potentially expanding this option, there are a few key items to consider. Let us lay out the most important aspects:
1. Hardware
2. Access
3. Security
Hardware
User’s computers should be:
1. Laptop or
2. Desktop at work AND home
Allowing a personal device opens your organization to risks that can easily be avoided.
For a laptop, here is the perfect setup:
1. Powerful laptop
2. USB Docking Station - These are easier and more compatible than the old-school “docking stations.”
3. Dual Monitors - Now they have three monitors.
That is, it! Simple and easy. They unplug their laptop, connect to the USB port, and are instantly running at home.
For desktop, it is easy. Identical setup at your business and their home.
VoIP Phones are under hardware, but physical phones are quickly becoming obsolete. Download the included software phone and provide an inexpensive headset for your employees and they can easily take their work phone with them on their computer!
Access
There are many ways to make access easy without sacrificing security. Having your employees connect to the office for a physical server is the “old school” method that many businesses are still utilizing. Your business should consider moving to SharePoint.
With SharePoint, folders can synchronize to the file explorer, so it looks just like their desktop experience! That data is then backed up, just like a server would be.
However, you may have business-specific applications that are not cloud-based and require a server. These are becoming rarer but may still be applicable. We do not want to get too technical, so you can reach out and we can provide an audit on the best solution for accessibility.
Moving to a hosted (cloud) solution or ensuring remote access for your users to your server onsite would be the primary recommendations here.
Security
As mentioned, you do not want users accessing company data on their personal device. There are extremely easy force functions your IT provider can implement to ensure this is not occurring.
As more devices move away from the umbrella of the firewall (a firewall is a physical device on your network that “filters” your internet data and protects computers at your business) you will need to ensure your security is focused on the computer and laptop, rather than the office location.
Simple right? When the firewall is not there, the computer/laptop security needs to be improved.
How do we improve computer/laptop security?
There are many that we do, and we are sure your current provider may implement these. Here is a quick summary of the highest benefit, lowest impact layers you need to have in place:
1. Multi-factor authentication – when the users log into their Microsoft accounts, they will be prompted with a push notification to their mobile device confirming it is them. This prevents 99% of personal identity attacks… it is an easy decision.
2. Anti-Virus – There are many terms for this, but at the end of the day you need a trusted anti-virus on all computers.
3. Conditional Access Policies – you want to make sure company data is NOT accessible on personal devices. Get your IT team to set this policy up and you are all set. Need help? Let us know.
4. Managed Detection and Response – This is the one all those cybersecurity insurance questionnaires ask about. Make sure your provider has this on ALL machines.
There are more layers to consider, but these are the non-negotiables.
Conclusion
Moving to an increased remote workforce should not be a scary proposition. If you make it easy for yourself and your employees, it will improve your business. Ensure employees have strong KPIs and that you have an IT Team with ample experience in consulting and implementing these types of setups. Need an IT Team, call Honorbound IT today at 877-686-6642!
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