As IT managers serving your organization’s internal IT needs, hybrid work presents more variables than a single physical location. It’s always easier to control elements of security and access in a fixed environment, but having all employees work on-site simultaneously is not guaranteed—especially in a hybrid environment.
In order to retain top-tier talent in your company, you must note which of your employees perform better in the office and which of your employees perform better from home. Since the beginning of the pandemic, many companies have transitioned to remote work and are now opting for a hybrid environment to suit the multiple needs of their employees. Hybrid work is the best of both worlds!
To ensure that everything operates smoothly and efficiently, we’ve put together an IT management checklist that will guide your transition to a hybrid working environment.
HYBRID WORK CHECKLIST
As IT managers, you’re likely comfortable with the technology and policies for remote work setup, but you need to provide the staff with hybrid work policies, best practices, and access to remote tools. Here are some IT items that you’ll need to ensure are in place to maximize company staff time and make the most of hybrid work.
- A hybrid work policy has been created and implemented.
- Firm communication protocols have been established.
- The staff has the hardware needed to work remotely.
- The staff can access every critical application needed to complete their daily work.
- Secure remote meeting software is set up.
- The staff and the internal IT team have access to collaboration tools.
- There is remote access to the business phone system.
IT MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT NEEDS
You need to ensure that you and your IT team are ready to manage any IT needs remotely to account for employees who may not be in the office. With the flexibility that hybrid work provides, your IT team should be prepared to troubleshoot and resolve tech issues at the drop of a hat. Are you confident in your current processes? Every item on this IT asset management checklist is essential to the success of your business operations and cybersecurity, so check it twice!
- You have remote access to the staff’s off-network devices.
- All operating systems, browsers, and applications are patched and up-to-date.
- You have cloud storage set up for employee use.
- You’re using multi-factor authentication (MFA) to improve login security.
- You’ve installed a secure VPN on servers.
- The network access policy is clear and enforceable.
- User access is being monitored to ensure authentication.
- System access protocols are being followed.
- Your IT team can quickly and easily jump from service tickets to remote endpoint management to troubleshoot issues.
- The staff has received security awareness training.
As hybrid work environments are on the rise, it’s important to consider which workplace dynamic is right for your business. Hybrid work comes with plenty of benefits that will keep your employees and clients happy—as long as everyone is aligned on security measures, hybrid work policies, and best practices.
There are many steps to follow if you want to put your hybrid work environment in a position to succeed. A managed IT service provider can handle most, if not all, of these issues for you, allowing you to focus on what’s important: your business! At Exact IT Consulting, our experts will help you create a productive hybrid work environment that benefits not only your team but your clients too. Contact us today to learn more about our services!
