Social distancing and this pandemic have of us all living in a new reality. Remote access and safety have become more important than ever.

1. Remote Access Part 2:
7 NECESSITIES TO REVIEW WHILE YOUR TEAM IS WORKING FROM HOME

2. In a very short period of time, COVID-19 has completely changed the way
people work in the United States and across the world. It’s changed business
operations and workflow overall. This pandemic has lead to a great deal of
Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs) needing to furlough employees
and drastically cut costs where they can.

3. Now that the world is primarily utilizing interactive video tools
for both business and personal interactions, hackers have
turned their attention to these types of tools and applications.
This can lead to a new kind of infiltration. Not only have they
targeted video conferencing sites like Zoom, but there’s also
been a surge in attempted attacks against healthcare facilities.

4. Home Work Environment
It can be difficult to shift work environments
from a social location to an isolated home
office. For many, your home may have
transformed into a co-working space with
your family. Although anyone with a remote
job is lucky, there are both limitations and
requirements.
Having policies in place for working remotely
can protect your business from cyberattacks.
It also allows your now remote employees to
do their jobs as successfully as they would in
the office. Even if your team are now in
different time zones they still have the ability
to communicate as efficiently as possible.

5. Here are some of the great features a remote
access plan through a Managed Service
Provider (MSP) has to offer:

6. Video
Conferencing
Conference calls have become one of the
most important tools used by business at this
time. Meetings must go on while people
work remote; however, voice-only leaves
much to be desired in terms of tone and
context. This also goes for “catch-up”
sessions with family and friends.
Additionally, we highly recommend putting
in place video conferencing options. You can
implement something as simple as Teams,
Google Duo/FaceTime, or something more
feature intensive, like Zoom.

7. Video
Conferencing
There is a serious social aspect to business. There are
so many different mediums you can communicate
through. Video conferencing is as close as you can
get to having your associates in the room with you.
Although it may not seem like business as usual at
first it’s become one of the most important ways for
organizations to stay connected and continue their
mission.

8. Messaging
Software
As previously mentioned, socializing is such a significant part of
the work day. You can’t just spin your chair around to talk to
your co-worker when working remote, yet it’s not efficient to
always pick up the phone.
We recommend implementing a messaging software like
Microsoft Teams or Slack to open communication channels and
allow employees to continue to interact quickly and accurately.
Utilizing these tools, you can set up one-on-one conversations
or set up channels to facilitate team communication.

9. Messaging Software
It’s also another way to video chat and hold
video meetings. This swiftness of these
messaging tools really allow your remote
workers to function as efficiently as possible. It’s
important to meet your deadlines wherever you
are, and these types of communication can get
you to the finish line.
Email isn’t always quick enough to solve issues in
a timely manner. Messaging software is a small
thing that can make a big difference.

10. Phone
A strong VoIP solution will allow employees to take their phone numbers
remote to their cellphones without giving out their personal numbers.
Office calls will transfer seamlessly to the employee’s cellphone, voice
mails will be sent via email, and the employee can dial-out using a phone
application to maintain office functionality.
This is another feature that prioritizes safety. In a time when cybercrime is
rising the last thing you want is to have your personal phone number in a
vulnerable position. With this kind of system you don’t have to worry
about that.

11. Remote
Access Policy
Prior to providing access to your employees, it is important to have
a remote policy in place acknowledges that your company
monitors whatever they do while connected. Employees should be
encouraged to act as if they are on-site even while working remote
and reminded that disciplinary actions for doing something against
company policy will apply.
A viable remote access plan can incorporate the majority of
features mentioned in our two remote access blogs. With a good
plan, safety and communication are key to success.
Communication keeps your business running and your team
working effectively and moving business initiatives forward.

12. Remote Access
Policy and an
MSP
No matter your position, it’s important to help your
team members stay productive. In an office
environment, you move around and there’s a social
element. Company video calls are a wonderful way to
stay connected and remind your employees how
A Managed Service Provider (MSP) understands that
not all plans and organizations are created equal. A
plan that works for one business may not be right for
another. Partnering with an MSP allows you to get
the right plan at the right price.
We are living in a new reality where you are probably
more dependent on technology than ever. An MSP
will cater to your needs and alleviate any
uncertainties you have about your at-home
workspace functioning as it should.

13. Contact The TNS Group
today to learn more
about remote access
and what kind of plan
might be right for you.