In today’s changing work world, hybrid work is becoming a big deal! It’s all about mixing remote work with office time, giving us the best of both worlds. People like having the option to work from home, and it’s good for businesses too. The flexibility it offers can attract top talent and make employees happier. So, it’s time for businesses to consider blending remote and office work to stay ahead. 

Smart IT Moves for Hybrid Success 

Switching to hybrid work means we need to be smart about our tech setup. Here are the main things to think about:  

• Assessing Infrastructure Readiness: Is your current IT infrastructure equipped to support a hybrid work environment seamlessly? 
• Prioritizing Data Security: With the proliferation of remote access points, how will you ensure robust data security measures are in place? 
• Ensuring Accessibility: Can your team access essential tools and data from any location without impediment? 
• Enhancing IT Support: Is your IT support team equipped to provide remote troubleshooting efficiently and effectively? 
• Optimizing Collaboration Tools: Do your collaboration tools foster seamless communication and productivity across distributed teams? 
• Investing in Training: Are employees adequately trained in utilizing digital tools and adhering to security protocols for hybrid work? 
• Implementing Effective Data Management: How will data be managed, shared, and stored securely across remote and in-office environments? 
• Establishing Clear Policies: Have comprehensive IT policies been drafted to guide employees in navigating the intricacies of hybrid work? 

Dealing with Challenges in the Hybrid World 

Imagine someone in your team gets an email on their personal laptop while they’re in a café. They click on it, and it’s a fake email that gets into their computer. Now, all the info about your customers is out there for anyone to see. 

What can lead to this? 

• Use of Personal Devices: Allowing employees to use their personal computers for work-related tasks can pose security risks, as these devices may not have the same level of security controls as company-issued devices. 
• Lack of Training on Phishing: Employees may not have received adequate training on identifying phishing attempts, making them vulnerable to such attacks. 
• Downloading Sensitive Data: The employee downloads a sensitive email list onto her personal computer, which can lead to data exposure if not properly secured. 
• Email Phishing: Clicking on a phishing email in her personal inbox leads to unauthorized access to her computer and the compromise of customer data. 
• Open Network Usage: Working on an open network, such as a public Wi-Fi at a café or airport, can expose the employee’s device and data to potentially snooping and security breaches. 

• Data Leakage: The breach results in the leakage of customer emails, which can be exploited by scammers to impersonate the company and target customers. 
• Reputation Damage: The need to disclose the breach can harm the company’s reputation and erode customer trust. 

The question arises: can we extend the secure office environment wherever work happens? 

What can you do? 

• Company-Issued Laptops: Providing team members with dedicated company laptops ensures a clear separation between personal and professional digital environments. This measure significantly reduces security risks associated with personal devices. You can also implement suitable MDM solutions to protect your devices.  
• Email and Device Policy Management: Implementing robust policies for email use and device management helps maintain control over data access and usage. This includes restrictions on downloading sensitive content to personal devices.  
• Corporate VPN: Utilizing a corporate VPN enhances security by ensuring all company devices establish secure connections. It designates exit nodes for browsing and offers granular control, creating a protective bubble for your staff, aligning with existing policies. 
• Network Security Awareness: Providing training and awareness programs to educate your employees about network security, phishing attacks, and best practices for remote work. This empowers your team to recognize and avoid potential threats. 
• Remote Work Policies: Developing clear and comprehensive remote work policies ensures that everyone in your organization understands their responsibilities and follows security guidelines when working from various locations. 
• Regular Security Audits: Conducting regular security audits and assessments to identify vulnerabilities and address them promptly. This proactive approach helps maintain a robust security posture. 

Considering a hybrid work setup? 

Understanding the complexities and key pillars of a hybrid work environment is important to positioning your business for success. As your Global IT Partner, Brilyant comes with a wealth of experience supporting numerous companies with all their IT requirements. We possess the expertise to assist you in shaping your new hybrid work environment. Talk to our experts today at <Link>