With the advent of the novel coronavirus — COVID19, a lot of people have been forced into working remotely than ever before. This situation is going to continue for some time until the medical community finds a way to contain this deadly virus that is causing a catastrophe in the world. On top of it, a lot of companies are providing options such as ‘work from home,’ to attract employees to come and work for them. While this is good, it comes with its own disadvantages. Most importantly, the security of the sensitive data that people will access each day. Working with a managed IT service provider can help alleviate these security issues.
Since there are so many Managed IT service providers in the country, you need to work with the best. They will help in mitigating the risk associated with this kind of work culture. Here are the pros and cons of working remotely.
Pros of Working Remotely
One of the greatest benefits of working remotely is that you can work from anywhere. This means you have more freedom to find a place to live that suits your needs and lifestyle. Not only do you save money because no commute costs are needed, but it also means less time spent in traffic jams and dealing with all the other hassles of commuting. Whether or not this is true for everyone, there are many who find it an attractive option for their lifestyles.
- Improves productivity and employee retention.
- Flexible schedule.
- Reduce the overhead costs of the business by reducing the need to have office space.
- Removes the unnecessary wastage of time such as commuting to the office.
- Employees can work remotely when they are sick.
- Allows employees to spend more time with their families as they don’t need to commute back and forth from home every day.
- Many people find it rewarding due to fewer interruptions in the flow of work or distractions by colleagues, phone calls, and other office noise.
Cons of Working Remotely
- Sensitive data of the company is at risk as the employees are handling emails and other data on their personal devices and network in most cases.
- Cybercriminals can get their hands on sensitive information if they try their best.
- Vulnerable to network threats as people use different devices to connect to sensitive data.
- Can’t be productive as the employees have to juggle between their duties and other tasks.
- Tasks are not completed in time, which causes more stress for everyone involved.
- Employees feel disconnected because they’re constantly on the move or working from different places at a given point in time.
- No-transferring knowledge across teams
Best Practices That Employers Can Follow
The average person is not trained in IT security, and the difficulties of this recent crisis have made it even more difficult to maintain safety when working remotely. It’s crucial for you to work with a managed service provider who can take care of your needs without requiring major investments on your part.
Train Your Employees
Staying safe in the digital age can be challenging, but there are a few steps you can take to reduce your risk. Train employees on how to protect themselves from cybercriminals and keep company data secure by following these three tips:
- Don’t open suspicious emails or click links that have been sent without confirmation from someone familiar with their content first; if it sounds too good for true then it probably is!
- Minimize document access privileges so people don’t accidentally share sensitive information they shouldn’t; this includes passwords as well which should only be given out when necessary
- Always update antivirus software regularly because new viruses come around every day
Connect to Network Using the VPN
A VPN is a type of virtual network that acts as an intermediary for web browsing. They are used by businesses and home users to protect their data from outside intruders, such as hackers or spies. The level of security they provide is usually on par with what you would find in your average office building’s firewall system!
• Safeguard your data and identity from hackers, spies, and other intruders
• Get peace of mind knowing that your information is private with a VPN
• Browse the internet in complete privacy thanks to a VPN’s encryption services
• Stay connected to work or school networks without sacrificing safety
Update the Employees Application and Devices
With the recent rise in security breaches, updating apps and devices have become a priority. However, many people are still confused as to what exactly these updates entail– they think that it’s just about adding new features when really those updates solidify your device or app’s ability to keep you safe from malicious attacks!
• Your device or app will become more resistant to hacking with the right updates
• You’ll enjoy a safer browsing experience so long as you update regularly
• Updates are quick and easy, one-click fixes your problem fast!
It’s important for people to know that having up-to-date devices and apps really does make all the difference.
Best Practices That Employees Need to Follow When Working Remotely
Many times employees that work remotely are complacent when it comes to matters related to cybersecurity. They feel they have no role to play in it as the IT department of a company or the partner that provides managed IT services is going to take care of this aspect.
Some of the activities that they do online like shopping can pose your company’s data at risk. Here are some best practices that they can follow to avoid these situations.
Beware of Email Phishing
Nowadays cybercriminals are phishing emails or messages to get confidential information such as login information and passwords. Employees need the knowledge of how to identify these things in order for them not to be hacker’s puppets. Train your employees so they know what a potential threat is, and can remain vigilant about their personal security while at work!
• Help your employees identify and avoid phishing emails
• Remind them of the importance of staying updated on cybersecurity in order to protect yourself from scams
• Train them how to identify a potential threat while at work
• Stop your employees from being someone’s puppets
Create Strong Passwords
The best passwords are those that cannot be easily guessed. Strong, complex passwords help protect your system from malicious attacks and can also prevent data theft. By encouraging employees to create a strong password they will have peace of mind knowing their sensitive information is safe on the company’s network.
• Require employees to use complex passwords so that their data is secure
• Prevent the loss of important corporate information from malicious attacks
• Employee data will be safe and sound with the help of a strong password
• Employees won’t need to worry about hackers since their passwords are safe.
Don’t Leave the Belongings
You should train your employees about the importance of keeping an eye on their belongings. They want to make sure that they don’t leave them unattended and if possible, store them in a secure place when not using them so that no one else can take advantage of this lapse in attention.
• Train your employees to be more aware of their belongings
• Make sure that they store them and don’t leave them unattended
• Give your employees a strong password for added security
Using Wireless Networks
It is crucial that your employees are careful when using any public wireless networks because they can be made soft targets for cybercriminals. Secured network usage should always be prioritized to ensure safety and security in the workplace!
• Ensure your employees are safe when using public wireless networks
• Make sure you have secured networks so that you can protect company secrets and private information.
The pros of working remotely are that you have the freedom to work from anywhere, anytime and there is no commute. However, one of the cons is that it can be difficult to find a balance between your work life and personal time. Employers should provide their employees with resources on how to get started with remote-working tasks such as setting up an office workspace in a coffee shop or library so they feel more comfortable while away from home.
Employees need to make sure they follow best practices when using public wifi like not browsing unencrypted websites without VPN protection. If these topics interest you or if you want some help getting started with this type of employment arrangement, please reach out for a free consultation here at Forum Info-Tech!
