Mitali Roy

Top 6 remote working best practices

Earlier this year, both employers and their employees around the world found themselves in need of a remote working policy. With lockdowns and the closures of mass transit systems as well as the need for self-isolation and social distancing, working from home became a pressing necessity rather than a privilege available to few.

With no foreseeable end to the COVID-19 pandemic in sight, these tips can help work-from-home employees create a safer and more productive environment that will make both employers and employees happy.

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Upgrade your internet speeds

Having at least a 100 Mbps or higher connection for your home WiFi will allow for plenty of bandwidth. Your work depends on your internet speed. At the same time, family members will also be using the same WiFi for both studying and entertainment. Unless you have adequate speed and bandwidth, things like video streaming and gaming can slow down your work drastically.

Understandably, such a connection can cost a little more than a standard plan. However, the amount extra you pay also comes with added benefits too, like no more dropped WiFi calls and enough bandwidth for the whole family.

Use a VPN

VPNs or Virtual Private Networks allow you to create a stable and secure connection over other networks that would normally be insecure. This is important for both employers and remote workers as it protects the company’s network against intrusion and allows for confidential files to remain within the organization, without the fear of leaking.

As an employer, remote worker, or even as an independent freelancer, privacy is of supreme importance. Investing money on subscribing to a superb, reliable VPN service pays off. Freelancers can even get reduced-price or even free connections.

Be aware that some VPNs are more trustworthy than others, however. Read user reviews carefully or ask a cybersecurity expert for advice before making a purchase.

Create unique passwords and enable 2FA

The most common mistake users make is utilizing the same password for every account. This heightens the chance of a data breach and can lead to big problems for employees and their companies.

Using a different password for every account ensures that, if one account is compromised, it won’t be as easy for a hacker to break into another account with possibly more sensitive information.

It’s recommended to enable 2-Factor Authentication (2FA) where possible to add that extra layer of protection to accounts. 2FA uses a second device, often a mobile phone or tablet, to send a code that will allow a user into their account. Most big social media companies have this feature available now, and it’s very likely big company accounts will too.

Use high-quality firewalls

This holds true for both employers and remote employees. Always work online behind a well-configured firewall. There are quite a few on the market available for a reasonable subscription fee. Opt for corporate or group packages depending on how many remote workers will need to use the firewall system.

Adopt a policy that remote employees must only access company information while using both a VPN and a firewall safeguard on their computers. Congruently, deploy a firewall system that not only monitors access times but also alerts the network admin about any unusual traffic or intrusion attempts.

For employers: adopt a “single computer” policy

If you’re an employer and have provided a computer to remote workers, make it mandatory to use that laptop or PC only for all business practices and data acquisition. This ensures that all company files remain in one location. Using multiple computers allows for sensitive information to spread when it doesn’t need to be.

Use cloud backups

Always get remote workers to create backups of their work on the cloud. That would enable you and other teammates to access any file when necessary, provided they have access rights. Cloud storage also helps you to access files at later dates since they don’t need to be deleted in order to free up more space. A cloud storage system also helps clear space that official files would otherwise consume on a laptop or PC that doesn’t have enough memory.

Cloud storage companies such as Google and Dropbox offer their services at affordable prices. You can opt for a plan that serves the company’s needs while also taking into consideration the pricing plans and employees’ needs.

In conclusion

The above best practices should help to create a safer online working ecosystem. Understandably, some resources will cost a little money. However, the expense is outweighed by the benefits since your company benefits in many ways.


Author Bio: Mitali Roy is passionate about blogging and writing. She fondly calls it "the art of words." She is unique and so is her content. Blogging about education and tech is something that she loves doing.

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