With 2020 behind us, the new year is the perfect time to reevaluate technology infrastructure and optimize remote work capabilities. With technology evolving at a rapid pace, optimization must be an ongoing process – and making sure remote workers are optimized is a priority that your business cannot afford to ignore.
By modernizing your systems, your business is better equipped to accommodate increased bandwidth usage, which enables employees to be agile so they can see around corners to challenges that lie ahead. Modernization also includes the adoption of new policies and expectations that cultivate a winning and supportive culture for remote workers. As business and employee needs change, the infrastructure supporting them should evolve as well.
To remain competitive, your organization will need to continue to look for ways to invest in sustainable and secure infrastructure as well as updated and flexible cultural norms that keep employees engaged. Here are some steps you can take to modernize your remote workforce.
Commit to Ongoing Network Infrastructure Updates
According to a recent survey,* 80% of companies plan to allow employees to work remotely at least part of the time after the pandemic, and 47% will allow employees to work from home full time. This means that network traffic is not likely to decrease. Keeping your network infrastructure updated and secure is a commitment that cannot go unfulfilled. You’ll need to create both short- and long-term strategies to ensure that your systems are sustainable and secure far into the future.
Understand Your Network Traffic
If your system isn’t prepared to handle the higher traffic level, you are likely opening yourself up to additional security vulnerabilities. In the rush to maintain business continuity during the pandemic, some companies resorted to installing VPN solutions on personal devices – which changed their risk profile considerably. The last thing you want is staff attempting their own patchwork solutions to get work done.
Routinely evaluating your organization’s VPN is a good idea. Be sure to monitor applications, users and content. You’ll need to understand the number of remote connections within your organization as well as the risk profiles associated with the devices used to access your network. With a clear understanding of your network traffic, you can increase the capacity of your VPN to facilitate better productivity, protect your business from security threats and ensure business continuity.
Consider Cloud-based Solutions
The cloud offers some good solutions for scaling increased network traffic and can be used in tandem with VPN updates. You may end up paying a little more, but the investment will provide several rewards, including the peace of mind that comes with built-in security and dedicated technical support. By understanding your traffic and its usage levels, you can leverage the cloud for extra capacity, using only what you need.
Don’t Forget to Encourage Relationships
Having an engaged workforce is key to a successful remote strategy. Remote work can make spontaneous collaboration among team members more challenging. Invest in tools they can use to boost collaboration, morale and productivity to get the results you’re looking for. Platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and others can help. Be sure to clearly define guidance, rules and policies and train employees on etiquette using these new platforms so that staff can collaborate and contribute to their fullest potential. Improving your employees’ experience when using the tools for remote work is a great way to keep them engaged. And high employee engagement leads to better organizational outcomes.
Our technology professionals are ready to provide guidance on a remote work strategy that fits your organization. Begin strategizing now. For more information, contact Carly Devlin or learn more about the services provided by Clark Schaefer Consulting.
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