Remote work has become a common and desirable option for both employees and businesses across the world. According to a recent report, 12.7% of full-time employees work from home, while 28.2% work a hybrid model. 72% of employees across different industries have expressed the desire to work remotely, at least part of the time.
But as desirable as this work model may be, it also comes with its own set of unique challenges, notably involving productivity and security. Cyber attacks like hacking and the use of ransomware have astronomically increased, and so have the murmurs of lowered productivity associated with remote work.
A recent survey showed that 50% of businesses allow remote workers to access their organizations’ IT networks without the proper security features (multi-factor authentication). 48% of employees working from home use personal email accounts for work communication.
These practices expose remote teams to the above-mentioned cyber threats, such as phishing, malware, ransomware, and data theft. For businesses, having robust security policies and tools to protect data and networks from potential attacks is crucial.
Productivity is also a key concern for remote teams, as they need to overcome various distractions, communication barriers, and collaboration issues.
So, how do leaders ensure their remote teams work efficiently and are productive while keeping organizational data safe from cyber threats?
Here are eight powerful tips that, when applied, can cause a significant and steady boost in remote workforce productivity and security. So, let’s get started.
Tips to Increase Productivity and Security for Remote Workforce
Streamline Communication
Effective communication is the backbone of productive teamwork. But with remote teams, it might get difficult to determine if the message is getting conveyed as intended. There should be an open and transparent communication channel for remote workers to be involved and connected with their teams.
In-house teams should initiate communication with the remote workforce on a regular basis using email, instant messaging, or audio/video calls to share updates and feedback.
They should also apply some assertive communication methods to help employees in the remote work environment communicate and collaborate more effectively. At times, overcommunication should also be considered.
We already know that remote work communication lends itself to confusion and misinterpretation. So, to avoid traps of miscommunication, they should consider overcommunicating important information.
Automate Processes
Among the significant obstacles to productivity is the failure to optimize different processes continuously. In order to allocate more time to top-priority tasks, companies need to take a look at potential time-wasters and find ways of automating them.
Automated workflows enable remote teams to achieve a more structured schedule and work smarter. For example, instead of spending excessive time manually processing their business finances, organizations can use an expense management software solution to automate different finance operations seamlessly.
Track Performance, Not Presence
The best thing to do to skyrocket productivity is to explain to the remote workforce that they’ll be measured on performance, not presence. Companies should give their remote team the tools and space to work efficiently and effectively and the freedom to work where they are most productive when they are most productive.
Measuring their productivity by output, instead of tracking the hours they spend online, enables the team to focus on achieving tasks rather than just worrying about staying online at specific hours.
Invest in the Right Tools and Equipment
Technology plays a vital role in the success of an organization. Investing in the essential tools and ensuring the remote teams are getting adequate training on how to use these tools that lead to greater remote work productivity.
In addition to using communication tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Zoom, remote workers should also be familiar with tools that help them manage projects, such as Trello, Asana, and Basecamp.
Utilize Strong and Secure Passwords
Passwords are the first line of defense against cyberattackers and their unauthorized access to our sensitive information. Ensuring passwords are secure and strong is even more important when working remotely.
Companies should create and enforce policies to ensure passwords are complex and often changed. This is because having passwords is one of the essential rules of remote work.
Passwords should be unique and consist of numbers, upper-case and lower-case alphabets, and special characters. Enterprise-level password managers can help enforce such behaviors and ensure they don’t reuse passwords across accounts.
Consider Two-factor Authentication (2FA)
A two-factor authentication system is a protection mechanism that requires two or more pieces of identity to verify the user before accessing an account. This security feature adds a layer of protection on top of a user account password. It’s also known as the multifactor authentication system.
Cybercriminals can weaken user passwords with the use of brute force attacks or a virus on a remote employee’s device to harvest passwords. With 2FA, even if a password is cracked, users are safe by another part of authentication, like a one-time PIN code.
Two-factor authentication is an added step for remote workers as it enables them to protect access to resources, both internally and in the cloud. Passwords alone are vulnerable to hacking, especially if they’re weak or reused.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access that could occur in the event of a password breach.
Leverage Encryption Software
One approach to keep corporate files secure while working remotely is to encrypt them. Encryption can help protect sensitive information stored on a network, especially if the remote workforce uses the cloud and their files are in transit.
So, they should consider investing in document encryption software. Utilizing software-based encryption measures to secure data shared between endpoints or saved on their server, in the cloud, or on devices is a good approach. Such tactics can help remote employees increase security while keeping workflows smooth.
Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
When it comes to unsecured home networks, cybercriminals find it pretty easy to access emails and passwords. There is another type of network called VPN, which acts as a firewall and provides online privacy and security.
A VPN basically offers a standardized, safe, and private network that grants an employee the same private access they would have had if they were working in person, under one roof, while accessing the company network.
But with so many options out there, where do you start? We recommend setting up a VPN for your phone, especially if you are using an iPhone. Why? Because iPhones are not immune to cyberattacks from hackers. You’ll need to protect your data because your phone can serve as an entry point to these attacks.
Setting up a VPN on your iPhone is fairly easy. In fact, you can get a free VPN that works well on iOS devices. But how do you choose the best free VPN for iPhone? That’s where we come in. We’ve tested and reviewed the top free VPNs for iPhones and ranked them based on their performance, features, and security.
Wrapping Up
Remote work is here to stay, and the earlier everyone adjusts their routine to suit the model better, the better their overall work experience and success will be. It’s all about identifying the potential productivity and security bottlenecks and addressing them before they become a concern.
Beginning with the best practices outlined above, there is nothing that can stop remote workers from driving the overall success of your business.
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