Why Small Businesses Need IT Support for Remote Workers

Summary: This article explores the need for IT support for remote employees to secure and maintain your SMB’s computer network and every device that connects to it.

In the United States, it is expected that by 2025, more than 20% of workers will work from home or some other non-office venue. Cellphones, VoIP phone service, tablets and laptops have revolutionized remote work capabilities. Today, anywhere you can get a WiFi signal, you can log on to the company network and get to work. For this reason, small businesses need professional and security-focused IT support for remote workers.

The remote workforce's expansion has spawned many IT concerns for non-tech-savvy employees working from home. What happens if their device fails? Can they diagnose problems? Will they know if they have been compromised by a cyberattack? How can you be sure that your remote employees are up-to-date on the cyber security policies required to maintain and protect your computer network? These are all important questions. Both employers and remote employees want remote work to be successful. Unfortunately, SMBs cannot afford the time or money needed to hire a full-time IT employee. For those that do, it is unlikely they can provide the 24/7/365 availability required to support their remote staff fully.

When employees experience technical IT problems, they may sit idle and unproductive. Fortunately, using professional IT support services for small businesses is an efficient and cost-effective way to provide help for your remote workers when they need it. There are many services they can provide:

• Troubleshooting Problems – IT support services can troubleshoot most computer and network issues remotely. Remote workers might not have the tech skills to diagnose problems without guidance.
• Connectivity Problems – Your digital world relies on strong internet and WiFi connectivity. If remote workers cannot connect to email, websites, company data and other resources, they cannot work. IT support for remote workers can help maintain robust and secure connectivity and resolve most issues.
• Data Protection and Cyber Security – What is your most valuable business asset? Your data. Minimizing the importance of protecting your company’s most sensitive, private data is a recipe for disaster. If your data is breached and you aren’t prepared with secure data backups, your SMB will be less likely to survive a cyberattack.
  • Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) – VPNs are critical security for all remote workers and their connected devices. They use tunneling technology to create a private network within your network. Also, VPNs encrypt inbound and outbound data and hide the user’s IP address and location. Using reputable VPNs (not free versions) must be a mandatory condition of remote work.
• Enforcement of Cyber Security Policies – Professional IT experts have the tools and know the latest best practices to protect your company’s network. They can help you create robust policies and procedures and develop methods for ensuring employee compliance.
• Improved Communication – Developing and maintaining secure communications platforms is key to managing remote work. IT security professionals can help you lock down your voice and email communication with state-of-the-art cyber security tools and ensure your network is fully protected and maintains a strong connection.
  • Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) – VoIP phone service is defined by the FCC as “a technology that allows you to make voice calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line. Some VoIP services may only allow you to call other people using the same service, but others may allow you to call anyone who has a telephone number - including local, long-distance, mobile, and international numbers. Also, while some VoIP services only work over your computer or a special VoIP phone, other services allow you to use a traditional phone connected to a VoIP adapter.” Any communication via the Internet must be protected against cybercrime. It is imperative that small businesses secure all their communications platforms.
  • Secure Video Calling and Conference Call Services for Small Business – For some SMBs, remote work has created a greater need for secure video calls. Professional conference call services for small businesses can help secure company data and discussions for your remote workforce and any business partners who might be part of a video conference call with your employees. Secure video calling and conference call services for small business are essential for securing remote work.
• Training Remote Employees – Unless your business is a tech company, remote employees, old and new, must be trained on how to maintain their computers and how to protect your SMB’s computer network from cyberattacks. Safeguarding your system requires everyone, wherever they work, to be on the same page for company cyber security practices.

IT Support for Remote Workers

Professional IT support for remote workers can be critical in keeping remote work productivity at maximum output. IT experts can help you select the best VoIP phone service and small business conference call services to ensure your sound and video run smoothly and securely. They can also resolve hardware, software, network and cyber security issues and ensure that your remote workers know what they must do to support your SMB’s computer maintenance and network security.

The worldwide increase in remote work has opened up a new era of convenience and productivity. However, it has also expanded the surface attack area for cyberthieves. It is vital to enlist the help of IT support for remote workers to make sure your remote employees have the support they need to keep your business running smoothly and securely.