In a recent survey, 56% of employers said they allowed remote work. Some still had offices. Others relied entirely on remote workers.
Remote work is becoming the norm. It has plenty of benefits for employers, such as higher productivity. Most workers favor remote work too, feeling they get more done when they can work from home or on the go.
Technology has allowed for the rise of remote work. It’s easier than ever to call in for a meeting. You can contact a co-worker through chat or email in an instant.
If you want the benefits of these new working arrangements, you’ll need to invest in the right technology. You’ll need access software.
What is access software?
Our guide answers this question and more. We’ll walk through the major benefits of access software and why you should consider it.
What Is Access Software?
Let’s start with the basics? What is access software?
Access software allows users to connect to a server or network in another location.
As a business owner, you might ask, “What is access software used for?” In short, it’s what allows your employee to access your servers while they’re on the go.
This enables your employees to work from almost anywhere. Whether they’re working from home or a trade show, remote access software helps them get the job done.
How Remote Access Benefits Business
Your next question might be about the benefits of remote access. Why should you adopt it for your business?
Remote access software lets your employees work from almost anywhere. With it, you can create a remote work policy.
Remote work policies are in demand. Most workers today want more flexibility in their schedules. A remote work policy is one way to give them that.
Letting your employees work remotely can also cut costs. You may not need as big an office, or you may not need to pay for as many supplies.
Remote work can also improve productivity. Workers report that they feel they get more done when they can work from home. Remote work may also allow them to change their schedules to fit their most productive hours.
Finally, the option for remote work allows your employees to stay in touch and get more done. If you have a traveling sales team or someone who isn’t in the office much, access software keeps them connected. Conferences, trade shows, and other trips mean less downtime.
Addressing Concerns About Remote Access
The remote work movement has its downsides too. Some people worry that workers aren’t taking time off anymore. Others say employers now expect employees to be on-call nearly 24/7.
Employers also worry about employee behavior. Reports of employee isolation has been increasing. Others express concern that employees may not be as productive as they think they are.
Establishing a good remote work policy is the best way to deal with these kinds of concerns. If your policy is clear, employees will know exactly what’s expected of them.
The Security Question
Other issues surround the technology you’re using. What happens if someone accesses files and deletes or overwrites them? What happens if an employee can’t connect to the network because their device isn’t compatible?
You’ll need to address issues like network compatibility and file handling practices.
Another major concern is remote security.
Your business is already facing plenty of cyber threats. The IT teams at many businesses are struggling to keep up. If you introduce a remote work policy, you may see an increase in security issues.
This stems from the fact you’ll be putting more devices on your network. Many of these devices will be your employees’ personal devices. They may have vulnerable apps, outdated devices, or could be using improper security.
That’s why you need to make sure you’re using secure remote access software. This has security built right into the software, which helps you keep your network safer.
Improving Remote Access Security
If you already have a remote working policy in place, you may wonder what you can do to get remote secure access. You may not be convinced the solutions you’re using have the right safeguards built in.
The first step is investing in your infrastructure. Making sure any remote access software you use is secure is a great start. It shouldn’t be the only security measure in your system though.
Your network should use several measures, such as secure portals for employee access. When it’s possible, you should use the cloud and virtual private networks (VPNs). Update your software if you’re not doing it automatically.
Your policies play a role here too. Ask employees to use VPNs whenever they access the network or server from a remote location. Adopt security measures such as passwords and encourage employees to change them often.
Your employees should also be using secure devices. Offer them access to secure software. Enforce upgrades and updates to keep everyone up to date with patches.
Encryption is another key. Any access software worth its salt should have encryption, but employees should use encryption on their devices. Files and data alike should be encrypted.
Taking these steps toward more security will protect your files and data. It also protects your employees and their devices.
Choose the Right Technology for Your Business
When it comes to staying competitive, choosing the right technological solutions is key. Those that let you adopt remote work policies will help you attract employees. They’ll improve productivity as well.
Now you have the answer to the question, “What is access software?” You also know how important it is to choose the right access software. While these apps give your employees more flexibility, they can also pose risks to a business.
The right remote access software acts to protect your business and improve security.
If you’re thinking about starting your own business, you likely have questions about everything from tech to marketing. We’ve got the answers. Check some of them out on the blog.