Read on to learn how we predict remote work taking shape over the next few years.
5 essentials for secure remote working, wherever you’re based
Whether you are in the office, on the go, or at home, security is a top priority for all organisations. We recognise the increased demand for businesses to able to work securely. So, we’ve created a list of workplace fundamentals to help provide secure remote working processes.
1. Get the right equipment
Ensuring your workforce has the right equipment to work securely from any location is essential. The transition from office to remote working has meant that for many, desktops have been left behind and laptops were the way forward. However, not every business has this luxury. Studies found that 17% of legal sector employees are still using personal devices to work from home. Personal devices and networks lack the level of security offices have, making them an easier target for cybercriminals to hack. Therefore, you must set up your workforce with the right equipment to work securely.
One option is a VPN. Your workforce should all have a VPN set up to enable them to work securely. This will provide an extra layer of security for your users. Not only will it hide your employees’ IP address and encrypt data transfers in transit, but it will also conceal users’ locations. If you don’t have a VPN network, get one today.
2. Cloud services
Cloud services are a much more flexible environment for your team to work from and access data remotely. The private cloud will be used by businesses with more confidential data, such as organisations in the legal sector. This is because the private cloud stores data in local servers and is not operated by third-party vendors. However, public cloud services like Microsoft Azure and AWS still offer great security benefits as your cloud provider is responsible for updates and maintenance.
Therefore, your cloud services will be chosen depending on your individual business needs. Whatever cloud environment you decide on, it will enable your team to securely access the information they need to carry out their job efficiently and productively.
3. Backup solution
Backup is non-negotiable if you want to protect the security of your business and its private data. A cyber-attack, natural disaster or a simple mistake can occur at any given moment, and without backing up your documents, files, and more can be lost instantly. This data loss can be crippling to a business. To ensure the security of your documents, implement a comprehensive backup solution that can guarantee you have a safety net to recover from, no matter what the future holds.
4. Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
A mandatory element to keep your workforce secure is multi-factor authentication. MFA requires a user to provide either two or more pieces of information to verify themselves to gain access to your systems and accounts. This will add an extra layer of protection when your team log in and will help to keep hackers out. We recommend this as best practise to enhance your organisations’ security and ensure data stays safe.
5. Basic security knowledge and training
Keeping your employees in the dark when it comes to cybersecurity is a mistake. Having your workforce updated with your security policies ensures that they will uphold your business’s security standards. Whether you are remote working or not, it is crucial to be aware of the cyber-threats and security risks that could harm your employees or business. The likelihood of your entire workforce being cybersecurity-savvy is probably unrealistic. Therefore, ensure they are aware of the threats and enable them to become a line of defence in your security strategy. Remember, you are only as strong as your weakest link.
Tiedata can help set up your business for secure remote working
If you are unsure where to start on your journey to secure remote working, we can provide the right advice and solutions to meet your business security needs. Whether you work in accountancy, retail or the legal sector, we have a solution for you.
Don’t know how ready you are to combat remote working and its challenges?
We’ve got you covered. Our remote working readiness tool can assess how well equipped you are for remote working and provide advice, actionable solutions and key insights.
Find out how ready you are in under 5 minutes!
How has remote working in 2020 affected the legal sector?
There have been numerous challenges faced by the legal sector and many other office-based industries throughout 2020. The primary one that can’t be ignored is the sudden adjustment to working remotely due to social distancing measures. Entire workforces have had to learn how to:
- Deal with connectivity issues
- Collaborate on shared work remotely
- Store data securely
- Access files remotely
- Secure all devices and networks from cyber attacks
- Maintain team wellbeing & culture
- Deliver for clients on time
And the list could go on!
Many law firms have found solutions to some of these challenges, but not all. Some perhaps are still ‘making do’ with temporary measures that aren’t ideal. However, remote working doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere, even for the legal sector. With over 86% of employees wanting to continue working from home at least partially, it’s essential to equip employees to thrive remotely now and in the future.
Here’s what we’ve learnt so far about the effects on the legal sector of remote working:
Being more cybersecurity-aware
To be honest, we’ve all had to be! Cyber-attacks have increased astronomically since COVID-19. Phishing emails have increased by over 600% since the start of the pandemic, and many are specifically targeting remote workforces.
Legal sectors are one of the key industries where data protection is vital. You cannot do your job without accessing sensitive information, financial details or personal data of clients. That’s why many law companies in the past year have had no choice but to implement comprehensive cybersecurity protection across:
- Networks
- Cloud
- Endpoints
- Access Management
If you’re not sure whether your cybersecurity is up to scratch or not, don’t risk it.
Collaborating effectively on shared work
A critical effect on the legal sector due to the shift to remote working has been learning how to collaborate and share files safely. It has been a challenge for many, but thankfully 77% of legal employees said that they can work effectively from home now despite lockdown.
It’s clear that with the right support and IT solutions as a foundation, office-based businesses can thrive remotely. Primarily, this success has come from the adoption of cloud-based applications and storage in the legal sector. When all information is accessible via the internet, employees can access what they need at home, in the courtroom or on the go.
Financial implications for the legal sector
All these new remote working solutions don’t come free but are a wise investment. For many in primarily office-based industries like the legal sector, it’s taken a big adjustment to make that investment and feel as though it is worthwhile. Especially, if we’re all just going to be back in offices again. But as we’ve learnt over the past year – unexpected crises do occur.
This means that this investment is one worth making. Migrating to the Cloud and setting up robust cybersecurity solutions may seem like an overwhelming financial decision that companies would rather do without. But in the long-term, these are decisions that will end up saving you money and time.
Do you still have work to do?
Traditionally office-based companies like those in the legal sector can get set up for productive and efficient remote working. It doesn’t have to be complicated. But there may still be work to do to ensure that you future-proof your company.
Discover whether you are equipping your remote workforce effectively or not. Try out our remote working tool to get a quick assessment and actionable steps.
Overcoming IT Challenges Faced in the Legal Sector
Working with clients in the legal sector we know that storing, managing and protecting data is essential. Legal practices need IT solutions that they can rely upon to increase productivity and keep sensitive information safe.
Technology is continuously evolving and transforming organisations worldwide, which can seem like a worrying concept for more traditional law firms. However, digital transformation is just as crucial for those in the legal sector and can be an excellent strategic move. Having IT services that are streamlined, modern and secure will make your whole organisation more efficient and help you to gain back valuable time.
Top 3 challenges to overcome
1. Work better remotely
Accessibility to data, programs and networks is vital, particularly in the current climate. Whether you’re working from the office, in court or at home, having the information that you need at your fingertips will make all the difference. Having a hosted infrastructure means that your whole team can access everything that they would typically be able to access in the office, with no exceptions.
Optimising Microsoft 365 backup, storage, and cloud solutions will make sure that you can get straight to work, no matter where you are. Tiedata tailor every cloud solution to individual clients. Whether you require comprehensive cloud security, want a public, private or hybrid cloud, or want to use robust cloud solutions like Microsoft Azure – we have what you need.
2. Trustworthy data handling
Data in the legal sector is often of the highest sensitivity and confidentiality. You need to trust that your sensitive data is being handled professionally by experts who know what they’re doing. There are a multitude of data security and compliance services on offer including GDPR reporting, intrusion protection and vulnerability testing.
Partnering with Tiedata will ensure that you also receive 24/7 support, bespoke data management plans and business continuity solutions to ensure you can keep doing what you do best with minimal downtime, no matter what challenges or incidents occur.
3. Comprehensive cyber security
The best way to protect your data is to ensure that you and your team are aware of the threats you face. Security Awareness Training is an easy and accessible way to cover every end-user, device and network that your team engage with. In light of recent research that shows 97% of all employees struggle to reliably identify phishing emails (Barracuda Networks) – cyber security training is a no-brainer.
When you are a busy professional who receives hundreds of messages and emails per day, training is all the more critical. Even the best of us can be fooled by hacker’s sophisticated attacks on a busy day, and with phishing attacks on the rise since COVID-19, this is a crucial investment to make.
If you manage to be efficient on the go and access your data securely, this will only help boost and streamline your work.
Tiedata can help
We know that technology is ever-changing so, it is best to be prepared for every circumstance or potential crises.
Get in touch with our experts at Tiedata to overcome the IT challenges faced in the legal sector. Don’t let your success be hindered, act now.
Common COVID-19 Phishing Scams to watch out for
Below we have highlighted the most common Coronavirus related phishing scams, so you and your teams are aware of what to look out for the next time you receive a “phishy” looking email…
Introducing Microsoft Planner
Office 365 includes a really neat tool for task management, allowing you to take the chaos out of teamwork and get more done!
Planner makes it easy for your team to create new plans, organise and assign tasks, share files, chat about what you’re working on, and get updates on progress.
The top 6 features of the product are below:
1. Easy to use
Launch Planner from the Office 365 app launcher with a single click. You can then create a new plan, build a team, assign tasks, and update status—in a few easy steps.
2. Organise work visually
Each plan has its own board, where you can organise tasks into buckets. You can categorise tasks based on their status or on whom they’re assigned to. To update the status or change assignments, just drag and drop tasks between columns.
3. Visibility and transparency
The My Tasks view provides a comprehensive list of all your tasks and their status across all your plans. When working together on a plan, team members always know who is working on what.
4. Collaborate around tasks
Built for Office 365, Planner lets you attach files to tasks, work together on those files, and even have conversations around tasks without switching between apps. With Planner, all your team’s discussions and deliverables stay with the plan and don’t get locked away across disparate.
5. Works across devices
Planner works across all your devices. And with Planner, everyone is always on the same page. A glance at Charts is all it takes to know where things stand and if the team is making enough progress towards their goal.
6. Email notifications
With Planner, you’ll never miss a beat! Receive email notifications whenever you’re assigned a new task or added to a conversation.
Getting Started
To try it, from your Office 365 login screen at Office.com click on the blue tile in the top right and click on the Planner application.