Connecting to the modern digital world of work | Part Two

The modern world is constantly changing and evolving, and this – and the times that we are working in – has forced business owners to discover the potential of technology when used correctly in the workplace.

If we take a look at the two goals we outlined from the previous article, and explore how to go about achieving them, in the process we will be making it possible for your business to continue growing and thriving long into the future.

Let us remind ourselves what those challenges/goals are:

1. Lower risk – increase levels of security and compliance
2. Increase profit and productivity.

Let us now briefly explore what you can do to assure that you achieve your goals.

1. Lower risk – increase levels of security and compliance

Try splitting your goals into four sub-categories – in this way you will have a better chance of achieving them. They are as follows:

• A cultural change
• Infrastructure
• Technical controls

A cultural change

The main cultural change in modern business would be regarding security, which should always be the main priority for every single member of the team. We do understand that it is not easy to distil this attitude in your team, but, with an accumulation of the right training, education, and support for your users, it is more than possible. They must be trained on the basic and advanced security measures taken by the organisation. Some security measures include passwords, the dangers of Shadow IT, and how to spot Phishing Emails and Ransomware attacks. All may sound like a foreign language but with the right IT consultancy around cyber security, you will be familiar in no time.

Infrastructure

You must be certain that you own and have control over every end user device – full authority over what your employees can access and – even more crucially – what device they are accessing it on is crucial. Doing so will ensure you have the most secure infrastructure possible for your organisation.

Technical controls

If your team work on mobile devices they must be encrypted. We have all lost a mobile phone at some point in our lives – if someone picks it up they will have access to everything on it. Mobile encryption stops your data from falling into the wrong hands were you to lose it or if it was stolen.

• Firewalls are key to protecting your systems from cyber attacks. A Firewall acts as a gatekeeper to your system and a filter between your computer and the internet – it only allows through what is safe and blocks access to unfriendly/unfamiliar data and entities. A Firewall is ‘your silent cyber security partner’ which allows you to carry on doing your daily activities whilst protecting your system silently in the background.
• Anti-Malware software plays a pivotal role in the cyber security of your organisation. Anti-Malware software is a program designed with the sole purpose of preventing, detecting, and removing any malicious software on your IT systems. Malware can take many forms – all are malicious, some of the ways they are utilised are in the form of viruses, rootkits, spyware, or (most commonly) Ransomware – all of which have the ability to completely stop your organisation functioning from the inside.
• ALL Shadow IT must go! Undoubtedly – like most businesses around the world – you have a hierarchical system in your workplace, with the access your users can enjoy reflecting their station. Tests should be carried out to highlight what potential impacts the new tech you want to introduce to your team could have (if any occur) and what can remedy those inefficiencies if they arise. Shadow IT is introduced privately, often outside of normal business practice, therefore it does not undergo these checks. Your users are just trying to make the business process faster for themselves (or potentially slightly easier) but, little do they know that, because this Shadow IT has not undergone the checks, the potential for a rise in cyber attack is high. If allowed to continue operating, these tools have the power to cause irreparable damage to your IT infrastructure, in the process potentially leaving your business unable to operate altogether.

Data

You must know as much about your data as possible – you must know where it is stored and who has access to it.

• Increase profit and productivity

As we did earlier, we can split this into two subheadings:

• Integration and automation
• The right tools.

Integration and automations

• Microsoft – Offering the most extensive suite of familiar tools on the planet provides unrivalled tools in terms of functionality and quality. Microsoft Teams is one of the newest additions to the Microsoft suite – its range of tools to promote communication, collaboration, and productivity from anywhere in the world has led to it amassing a daily following of an astounding 250 million people worldwide – in an astonishing 181 countries. The best thing about the Microsoft’s suite is the integration it has, as well as its ability to allow automation. With everything in the same place – as well as the ability to release your skilled staff from mundane tasks – you can save time and boost the productivity levels of your team.
• Education and training is very important. Your staff need to have an understanding of the hardware and software they are using – even if at a very basic level. This is a big benefit to your business – most importantly for security purposes but also in your quest to improve productivity levels. It is that knowledge which your users have discovered about the tools they use every day that will ensure they are as productive as possible.

We hope that these two articles have enlightened you to the possibilities of modern-day technology in the workplace, and also the potentially disastrous security and productivity effects of continuing to use dated tools and practices. Adopting modern procedures and tools will jettison your business to a far more prosperous future with tech as a power ally.

Your business IT support partner

Uptech is the leading IT support company in Kings Lynn and West Norfolk. We are passionate about the support we offer businesses like yours; providing Enterprise-level tools, Cyber Security Solutions, and IT hardware to businesses in need of a helping hand. Established in 1994, Uptech offers High-end IT Services to Businesses with 5-200 staff, with multiple locations (including WFH), keeping them all Connected. We have helped our clients grow and progress their IT, allowing them to become more profitable and productive. Contact us now to find out how we can help you.