Coronavirus isn’t hitting every business the same way. Some are thriving, but many are re-evaluating every aspect of their operations and looking for ways to conserve capital. We don’t want your IT to suffer, so we came up with 3 ways to weather the storm without investing in large projects.
1. Leverage Your Current IT Investments, Especially Security Tools
We’ve been checking in with clients to see how we can help them adapt and leverage existing tools in remote-work environments through IT support and advice.
Know the current threats and how to minimize their impact
Cybercriminals are making the most of the global pandemic. Don’t relax your security posture –monitor your systems as much as possible. Hackers have stepped up attacks on home networks and created new phishing campaigns. Lately, we’ve seen scams related to stimulus funds and COVID-19 fears.
Ask your IT support team about powerful, low-cost security measures
High standards of security don’t automatically equal a high price tag. Ask your IT expert how to:
- Keep your team up to date on the latest threats
- Verify requests for credentials with a person directly before sending information
- Turn on extra protections in the Enterprise Mobility + Security suite, like conditional access or identity-based controls
- Add the anti-phishing features available through Advanced Threat Protection to cut down on malicious emails
Each item on the list is a cost-effective measure and, for Microsoft 365 or Office 365 users, leverages tools you already pay for.
Use Teams to keep your workforce connected
Internally, we’ve noticed people who aren’t used to working from home are more communicative than before. They’re sending more chats and using video calls to hold meetings. We do this easily over Microsoft Teams, and other clients use the platform to stay connected too. Earlier this year, we hosted a webinar about how businesses can best use Teams to increase productivity. You can watch the replay here for free.
If you don’t already have Teams, reach out to us right now to access the platform through a free 6-month trial.
2. Crises are Unavoidable – Have a Plan
There’s no good 1:1 comparison for the coronavirus pandemic, but it’s important to remember this isn’t the only crisis we’ve gone through, and it won’t be the last. If you’re not able to create a business continuity plan right now here’s what to do instead:
- Take notes about all the roadblocks you encounter
- Turn the notes into a prioritized list of issues you need to solve
- Work with an IT expert to design solutions for each point on your list
3. Recognize that Remote Work is the New Normal – and support it
People can start forming new habits in as few as 21 days, or 3 weeks. We’re well past that benchmark.
The longer the crisis lasts, the more accustomed your team becomes to working from home. Remote work is the new normal. Many people won’t want to return to the office or won’t feel safe going back to work until a vaccine is developed.
This may turn out to be a silver lining, because total or partial virtual environments can reduce overhead. You’ll be better prepared for the next disaster too. You now know the remote-work policies and technologies you need to thrive. Adopt these tools now. Businesses using cloud services had a head start when governments issued shelter-in-place or safer-at-home orders. They transitioned relatively easily, because the technology underpinning their operations works anywhere.
Count on Our IT Support During and After the Crisis
From time-saving productivity features to advanced security settings, we can help you take full advantage of your current IT solutions. Wherever you are now, Nortec here for you. Call us: 866-531-1990 or contact us online