Creating the Right Technology Environment for Flexible Work Arrangements [Three Considerations for Companies Offering Hybrid Work]
In today’s competitive talent environment, companies that offer remote and hybrid work will likely have an easier time attracting top job candidates to their open positions.
But, the technology needs for flexible working arrangements may not be as simple as they appear. Many companies don’t have the right security solutions in place to meet the resulting needs and challenges.
It’s one thing to offer hybrid work, but if you don’t have the infrastructure to support it, it will be tough to deliver on what your recruiters are promising. And in order to effectively offer flexible work to your team, your company’s technology must be ready to meet the needs of a mobile workforce.
Many businesses have come to understand the necessary considerations for an on-premises set-up. But what are the considerations your company should keep in mind when your team is going back and forth from home to the office?
Here, we’ve outlined the most important things to consider about your technology if you’re offering hybrid work to your team.
Facilitate Convenience with the Cloud and SaaS
In a hybrid work environment, team members could move from home to work, from office to office or even from desk to desk constantly. Having a single cookie-cutter setup for devices and tools is no longer an option.
While some team members will be able to operate in a hybrid environment with only a laptop, it may make sense to provide some employees with mobile devices (tablets or phones) or set up the right policies and security for a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) solution.
The device setup for each team member will depend on the individual’s specific work and the need for mobility.
It’s also important to remember that keeping track of your team’s devices can quickly become complicated with hybrid work arrangements, so you may need to evaluate your internal policies or processes concerning equipment management.
Ensure Accessibility with the Right Devices for Your Team
In a hybrid work environment, team members could move from home to work, from office to office or even from desk to desk constantly. Having a single cookie-cutter setup for devices and tools is no longer an option.
While some team members will be able to operate in a hybrid environment with only a laptop, it may make sense to provide some employees with mobile devices (tablets or phones) or set up the right policies and security for a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) solution.
The device setup for each team member will depend on the individual’s specific work and the need for mobility.
It’s also important to remember that keeping track of your team’s devices can quickly become complicated with hybrid work arrangements, so you may need to evaluate your internal policies or processes concerning equipment management.
Enhance Your Network Security
Hybrid work technology isn’t just about enabling your team to securely access servers and applications. It’s also about restricting access from those outside of your team.
Network security may already be incorporated into a business’s access controls while team members are in the office. However, once employees are able to work from any number of locations, the security of device-to-device communications, or device-to-server communications, should become a paramount concern.
It’s important that roaming team members have the same level of technical security when they’re working remotely as they do when they’re working at the office. Companies offering flexible work options should consider enhanced access management.
Passwords may no longer provide a high enough level of security when laptops and mobile devices are part of the equation. Multi-factor authentication or biometric access for devices are two options to consider that can provide an additional level of security.
VPNs can encrypt the messages sent from devices, and they can even help facilitate locational restrictions.
It’s important to evaluate your company’s office visitor policies as well. Without proper security, an intruder could easily pose as a hybrid employee and gain access to the building and company information with ease.
Learn More about Hybrid Work Technology
The right technology environment for flexible work supports mobility, consistency and security. It requires critical tools to be available from anywhere, new ways to access important information and innovative access and cybersecurity solutions.
Hybrid work may be exactly the solution that many companies are looking for to bridge the gap between fully remote and full-time office work, and you can do it in a way that protects the company and its resources.
To learn more about how to enhance your company’s network setup, contact your Warren Averett Technology Group advisor, or ask a member of our team to reach out to you.
This article was originally published on October 1, 2020 and most recently updated on November 3, 2022.
