Across many Australian businesses, a hybrid working model has become the norm. According to Roy Morgan, over 6.7 million Aussies work from home (at least some of the time, or unpaid). That being, a mix of working in the office with colleagues and remotely from a location you choose. In theory, it’s a great idea and many workplaces have pulled it off with great success.
What employees might not see is the work that goes on behind the scenes. If you’re a business wanting to offer your staff a hybrid working model, there are a few things that you’ll need to nail, from effective cloud solutions and setups, to robust communication systems and software solutions.
There is one thing that stands out to us when we talk about hybrid working models though, and that’s security. So, let’s take a look at some tips for boosting remote work security (and, in turn, your organisation’s overarching security posture) in a hybrid working model.
#1 Create Clear Policies and Procedures
This first tip is probably going to be the one that becomes most valuable.
Policies and procedures are what you and your team will refer to as the sources of truth when it comes to working some days in the office, and some days remotely, during the week. Carefully considered policies and procedures are what keeps everything fair, compliant, productive and legally sound, while ensuring everyone is on the same page. That’s what grounds effective remote work security.
#2 Implement Multi-Factor Authentication and Password Managers
Multi-factor authentication, even though it can be annoying in the moment, is a non-negotiable in most workplaces nowadays, whether hybrid working is on the table or not. Password managers are also super common, offering another layer of security.
Together, multi-factor authentication and password managers help reduce some of the natural risks associated with remote access to devices and platforms that might use shared login credentials. These risks include unauthorised account access and unsecure sharing of login details.
#3 Prioritise Network and Access Security
Strong remote work security is built around on consistent verification of devices and users. In a hybrid working environment, people are constantly moving between their homes, offices and public spaces at different times, and that makes network security paramount.
The best way to effectively deliver on network and access security is to make sure users and devices are being verified regularly, whether they’re remote or in the office. This is a core principle behind Zero Trust – a model that assumes no user or device is ever truly ‘secure’, but it’s a tried-and-tested state of mind when it comes to hybrid and remote work security.
#4 Use Mobile Device Management Tools
Hybrid work environments may have sounded like a nightmare to internal IT teams a few years ago, but through mobile device management, businesses are able to support, configure and secure laptops, smartphones and tablets wherever they may be located. And yes – that includes troubleshooting any issues that might come up during the day.
Mobile device management tools are an efficient way to help enforce security policies (which should form part of your overarching policies and procedures), make hardware updates remotely and even support bring-your-own-device (BYOD) initiatives.
How Managed IT Supports Remote Work Security
A managed IT partner like Xenex Systems can support a transition to hybrid working, and maintain strong levels of remote work security in a variety of ways. One of the most important is that we provide 24/7, proactive protection that prioritises cybersecurity, secures networks and endpoints, and acts as an extension of your team.
Through implementing virtual private networks (or VPNs) for more complex environments that need encrypted data transmission, to rolling out multi-factor authentication and even training staff where needed, managed IT services can sometimes be the difference between being able to offer a hybrid working system and not.
We’ll start with a free IT audit that helps us understand your business and how things currently work, before sitting down with you to chat through your requirements and how we can support. Reach out to our team today and we’ll be in touch.