MSP Tips to Help Customers Securely Work Remote

Mar 17, 2020

Provide businesses the tools and support they need to work remote and stay secure to protect information and integrity

The ability to work remotely has become an increasing need for businesses of all sizes. Some of your customers may already have a trusted business continuity plan in place, others are just starting the discussion. Working remote is convenient and sometimes a necessity in times of uncertainty. We often think of natural disasters as a cause for a business continuity plan to go active. However, there are MANY circumstances that can impact a business’s need to have their employees work remotely. In this blog, we will share tips for MSPs to help ensure their customers can work remotely, and to do so securely.

Customers need help making sure they can work remotely – and securely.

Thankfully, technology has improved our ability to effectively work remotely. However, team members working in multiple locations outside the office can increase vulnerabilities.

Remote workers can be more susceptible to external threats like malware and phishing attacks.

Customers are focused on the operational efficiency and ability to work remotely, but can often forget about the security threats that can come with it. As the IT subject matter expert, help customers understand how you can help them continue business remotely and securely.

6 Critical MSP components to help customers increase security while working remotely.

Here are some critical components MSPs can provide to help customers increase security:

1. Do employees know how to identify and avoid external threats? Provide Security Awareness Training to educate best practices to minimize threats with reminders like identifying malicious emails, clicking on bad links, using public Wi-Fi, etc.
2. Can employees access what they need to do their job? Ensure access to mission-critical information, applications and documents through the Cloud.
3. Are employees using a private network? Secure connections with a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and 2-Factor Authentication (2FA). If working from home, users should try to work on their secure, private home network instead of public Wi-Fi. Unsecured connections could open doors to cybercriminals waiting to intercept data, and put both personal and company information at risk.
4. Do employees have various meetings to connect with their team? Setup secure communication systems such as, access to voice and phone systems, work email, chat functionality, remote meetings, video, etc.
5. Do employees have the tools and equipment they need? Identify who needs company devices such as laptops, monitors, etc. or an acceptable use of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). If someone needs to use their home workstation, make sure they are fully patched and updated with anti-virus and anti-malware software. Try to incorporate the same best practices at home as you would at work to maintain the integrity of your data.
6. Have you set guidelines for employees to work remote? Review working policies to set expectations of what is appropriate and acceptable.

Help customers have the ability to continue business remotely to maintain a healthy workplace and workforce.

Companies of all shapes and sizes are asking more employees to work remotely. Whether they have a contingency plan in place or not, they are turning to MSPs to help them operate their business remotely.

As an MSP, we can help customers acquire the tools and resources they need to continue business as usual remotely, and securely.

As a trusted technology advisor, you have the skills, ability and resources to help customers not only work remotely, but to do so securely and effectively so they can continue business as usual. Help your customers and community implement the technology and components above so they can focus on what matters most to them, and not the IT operations.

Are you equipped to help customers securely work remote?

Collabrance has built solutions and services designed to meet the different needs, including business continuity, of your different customers. As a company, we have tested and activated our own business continuity plans during times of need, and share those best practices with MSPs to help their customers. Learn more about our different white-label offerings for MSPs and schedule a strategy call if you're interested in discussing your opportunity to work with Collabrance.

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10 Reminders to Keep Information Secure When Working Remote

As a trusted technology advisor, share this infographic and/or social posts to raise awareness and provide tips to increase user's security while working remote.

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