In just a few years, remote working has become a key part of how we work. Before the pandemic, just 4.7% of UK employees performed their daily tasks from home. By 2024, this number had grown to 13% for those who worked exclusively from home, and 27% for those using a hybrid model.
A change of this magnitude, of course, comes with its challenges. Unfortunately, SMEs do not always have the resources and staff to transition seamlessly into this new world of work. Unless approached carefully, remote work can increase the risk of cyber threats and reduce efficiency. However, when implemented correctly, it also presents an opportunity for companies to increase productivity and boost team morale.
How can your business prepare for the transition to a remote workforce? What steps can you take to secure your operations, even from afar? How can you enable collaboration and productivity in remote and hybrid working environments? Let’s find out!
Most common IT challenges in remote work
While remote and hybrid work has its benefits, it also introduces new obstacles that are often different from your typical office problems.
Devices that are not kept up to date. When your team works in an office, it’s easy to ensure everyone’s tech is running as it should. When working remotely, it’s a different story. You might be thinking, ‘It’s not the end of the world if my computer isn’t updated.’ However, in remote environments, it can be! Software that’s out of date reduces productivity, plus it makes your systems less secure, making your devices a more attractive target for cyber-attacks.
Ensuring a secure work environment. It’s much more difficult to ensure your team is following good IT security practices when they’re outside the office. Poor choice of passwords and insecure devices are the hackers’ dream.
Preventing data loss. Remote work doesn’t always mean working from home. Your employees might take their devices to public spaces (for example, cafes) with unsecured networks. This significantly increases your data vulnerability.
Did You Know
53% of UK managers report that their teams are more productive when working remotely or in a hybrid model.
Owl Labs’ 8th Annual State of Hybrid Work report
Tips for secure and productive remote work
Teach your employees basic cybersecurity hygiene
Unfortunately, remote workers are typically the first to face security threats. That’s why it’s critical to train your employees in simple security measures that can significantly improve the security of your organisation. This includes:
- Keep software regularly updated. Implement automatic updates to your workers’ operating systems and software programs.
- Never connect to unknown Wi-Fi networks. Some wireless internet networks can appear to be valid. However, they pose significant risks.
- Ensure hardware is secure even when not in use. Instruct your staff never to leave their devices unattended.
- Use a VPN to add an extra layer of security for your team’s computers.
- Ensure your passwords are strong and secure. Use passwords with at least 12 characters, including symbols, numbers, and a mix of upper and lower-case letters.
Use antivirus and anti-malware software and EDR/MDR/XDR
Did you know that every day, 560,000 new pieces of malware are identified? This sheer volume of malware makes it tricky for businesses, especially SMEs, to ensure their systems are secure. Nevertheless, you can take steps to avoid the risks, and one of those steps is ensuring all your remote workers have reputable antivirus and anti-malware software. Ideally, your team’s devices should be audited regularly to prevent potential issues.
Don’t forget about multi-factor authentication
One of the best ways to protect your organisation’s data and reduce the risk of unauthorised access is to implement multi-factor authentication. In case a hacker managed to get access to your system through a phishing attack, they would still need to pass another form of verification (for example, enter a time-based code sent via SMS or use an authenticator app).
Outsource tech support
Switching to remote working can be an overwhelming process. In the beginning, it may put increased pressure on your IT staff, which may not have enough time or expertise to support your workers. Furthermore, many SMEs don’t have a dedicated IT team at all, as it can be difficult to justify the associated costs. However, not having IT support can take a significant toll on your team’s productivity and end up costing you more.
Thankfully, there is a solution that doesn’t require you to hire additional staff – you can outsource your IT. This way, you can have peace of mind that your IT tasks are managed by experts, reduce any downtime and consequently allow your staff to focus on their main responsibilities. Usually, outsourcing IT is also less expensive because you only pay for the services you need.
Be aware of internal risks
Do you know what the biggest threat to your company’s security is? It’s not your cloud-based providers, hackers or poor devices. It’s actually your remote workers! According to reports, 95% of security breaches occur due to human error. Although these mistakes are not intentional, they can seriously harm your business.
To avoid this from happening, make sure your remote employees can only access the data they need. Whenever a staff member leaves your company or moves to a different project, revoke their access to your files and programmes.
How Ingenious can help
There’s no doubt that remote and hybrid work is here to stay. While this comes with many benefits, it also presents new cybersecurity risks. To maintain your employee productivity and ensure your business is protected, even when your staff is not on-site, it’s important to have proper IT support.
When you partner with Ingenious, we’ll provide your organisation unlimited remote support. That means your team will always have access to up-to-date technology, and we’ll safeguard your data and reduce the risks of security breaches. Moreover, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Every business is unique, and so are its IT needs. We’ll work together to find the perfect solution for your organisation!
Interested in learning more about our services? Get in touch with our team.
