Ever since the start of the pandemic in 2020, we’ve seen rapid growth in the number of people working remotely. Pre-pandemic, roughly five percent of full-time employees with office jobs worked primarily from home. In 2023, 28.2% of employees had a hybrid work schedule. You’d love to see more of this in your business so your workforce has the flexibility, but you only want to do so if they can be supported.
You’re searching for answers, and you came to the right place!
Before we start, we need to point out our bias as an MSP. Just note that the information presented below is stuff we practice and believe in, with much of it being industry standard. If you like what you see and are in our service area, we’re happy to talk, but we also know we’re not a fit for everyone.
Secure Network Access
Employees who work from home need to be able to access their work securely. That starts with a good internet connection and tools allowing them to access company applications or data safely.
It’s important to know who else has access to a home network. If someone else is working, streaming a movie or playing an online game while an employee is trying to work, it could lead to connectivity issues or slower speeds if they lack the proper amount of bandwidth.
The FCC defines high-speed internet as having download speeds above 25 Mbps and upload speeds of 3 Mbps and up. However, you probably want something closer to 100 Mbps down to comfortably work from home and video conference. To test your home internet speed, simply Google “speed test.”
In addition, remote employees should have a secure way to access company data and applications from wherever they’re at, essentially bringing the office environment to them without compromising on security.
Tools like VPNs or virtual desktops can help you do this. Be sure to talk to your current or prospective MSP about their remote access offerings.
Collaboration
Regardless of where you’re working, you need to be able to communicate and collaborate with your team. Several tools can allow you to collaborate regardless of your location, whether you're having a meeting or editing a document.
Teams, video conferencing
It’s difficult to capture the same feeling as face-to-face meetings, but video conferencing platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom are the next best option when used correctly. These platforms also offer features like screen sharing and real-time chat, enhancing the collaborative experience. An MSP can help configure these tools for your business, allowing your team to communicate from anywhere with an internet connection.
Cloud Environments
A great way to store and access files is through a cloud environment. The cloud can be scary for many people, as files are going from a physical server on-premise to the Internet. While it might feel like they’re floating around up there randomly, cloud servers are quite reliable and offer plenty of flexibility for storage and backups.
One example is the Microsoft 365 suite, which offers a collection of applications, such as SharePoint and OneDrive, for storing files in the cloud.
The cloud is a great place to store your files, but it can do much more. Gone are the days of editing a Word document and sending it through email or having files on your server without knowing if they’re the most recent versions. You can edit documents and files live and simultaneously with your coworkers through file sharing and cloud workspaces.
Be sure to talk with your MSP about their cloud offerings and which environment would work best for your business.
Remote support
Help desk connecting virtually
Technology is going to require fixing or assistance from time to time. There’s no avoiding that. When your employees encounter those situations, you want them to receive quality assistance in a timely manner.
An MSP with a help desk that can resolve issues remotely is necessary to support remote workers. You’ll want to work with someone who can access employee devices and help them resolve issues so they can continue to be productive.
Cybersecurity
Remote Patching and Web Filtering
Remote patching and web filtering are crucial to protecting devices and business data while still allowing employees to work remotely or hybrid. In some cases, businesses can only patch their computers or filter web traffic when users are in the office or on-premise. More extended periods of remote work could leave devices vulnerable to cyberattacks or downtime.
Deploying these solutions will help protect company assets by keeping devices updated and blocking potentially malicious online content.
Advanced threat monitoring
These days, traditional anti-virus just isn’t enough. You need a more advanced solution that not only scans for threats but can also predict and help remediate them. An MSP can do this through Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Managed Detection and Response (MDR) solutions.
Having employees work via their home networks can introduce many more unknowns. Deploying these advanced cybersecurity solutions on their devices will proactively protect your business and its valuable data. Let’s talk more about that data.
Data backup and recovery
With employees working at home, you want to ensure you’re taking every precaution to protect their data and their work. This is why it is imperative that their devices and data are backed up. You never know what circumstances could prompt the need for recovery, and you definitely don't want to be blindsided by it before it's too late.
Preparing for Employees to Work From Home
Working from home is one of the great conveniences technology affords us, but it can’t be done on a whim. You want your employees to be able to do their jobs to their full capabilities. Ensuring they have access to robust technology and support systems is critical to maintaining productivity and job satisfaction from afar. If you have questions about how your remote workforce is being supported, contact your current or prospective MSP to ensure they can assist you.
