In times like these many businesses are fast-tracking their digital transformation so they can operate effectively with limited disruptions.
Technological developments have enabled more and more people to work remotely, from a variety of locations, and at a time of day that suits them best.
As the government announce as much of the UK workforce will need work remotely, away from the office environment as possible, employers need to be able to offer flexible and remote working arrangements in support of this. Some businesses already offer a more flexible approach based on whether employees need to work from home for a few days a week, juggle working hours around childcare, work on-the-go, or whether they’re based in a different country entirely. What is clear from the ever-changing environment we now all face, is that businesses which have yet to implement modern ways of working are more likely to encounter distributions and run the risk of loss of earnings.
Benefits of flexible working not only can it make for happier employees, but it can also increase efficiency, improve staff retention and reduce the business’ carbon footprint. However, for those wishing to make this transition successfully, it is paramount to provide reliable and secure connectivity so that remote working can be carried out effectively. Here are a few considerations to take into account;
1. Superfast connectivity: multi-site and global businesses
Superfast connectivity is important to ensure that all employees can continue to work as productively as they would in the office. This is especially the case for multi-site and global businesses with employees working in various locations around the world. By using Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS IPVPN), multi-site businesses can share IP services and data via high bandwidth core networks, enabling employees to gain access by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
2. Secure access to vital business resources
A third of businesses claim to have experienced a data loss or breach as a direct result of mobile working. Therefore, it is essential that secure access is in place to prevent any potential security lapses. Currently, only around half of employers enforce data encryption on remote worker’s devices, which needs to change as more employees embrace the remote working lifestyle. We recommend using a resilient VPN to allow secure access to key business resources such as email and intranet. It is also important to think about other devices such as tablets and mobile phones, ensuring that workers can securely access the resources they need by simply using their login details.
Plus, two factor authentication (2FA) for remote workers, adds an additional layer of security to the VPN authentication process, making it harder for attackers to gain access to your employee devices and corporate network.
3. Providing employees with the right equipment
The majority of businesses in the UK now offer technologies to allow employees to work remotely. Web conferencing, instant messaging and collaborative documents are all now the norm for many of today’s remote workers. For this to work efficiently you will need a hosted telephony solution that can work over the internet securely, and your employees will need a home router to easily connect to the network.
4. Access to the Cloud
Advancements in Cloud technology have now better equipped the home office, enabling remote workers to have instant access to the data and tools needed to carry out their work effectively. Forbes reports that 83% of businesses will be in the Cloud by 2020, increasing the opportunity for more and more employees to work in a location that best suits them. With this is mind, offering flexible and secure access to the Cloud can make a real difference to the future of your business without compromising your security, telephony, call recording or contact centre. For this you will need secure and resilient data hosting achieved through managed servers, and disaster recovery which will guarantee service continuity in the event of an outage.
Looking to boost your connectivity to enable remote working for your employees? Simply get in touch to see how we can help.
Blog first posted: 2nd September 2019
