Remote work is more prevalent than it used to be, but it still has its drawbacks, especially if you're one of your company's few "work from homers" while the rest of the team is in the office.
Thanks to technology like VPN, remote software, and Intranet platforms it helps provide a secure, central location for employees to access company information and collaborate on projects. By using an intranet, businesses can keep everyone on the same page, no matter where they are located.
One thing you shouldn't have to worry about is compromising your company's network. Working remotely necessitates the use of a VPN to facilitate your work, protect your privacy, and boost productivity.
What is remote working?
In a nutshell, remote working refers to work done away from the workplace. There are several kinds of remote work. Some are permitted to work remotely one or two days a week, while others are permitted to work remotely as often as they wish. Some don't have a choice; there are businesses that don't even have a physical location!
4 types of work models
- Fully remote. Fully remote work models are, in essence, virtual offices
- Office environment. Employees in office environment work models participate in certain activities at their desks
- Hybrid model. A hybrid model is a combination of two or more work models
- Deskless worker model
This may cause businesses to have concerns over the security of their company data as employees take work to their homes. Many businesses can make use of a free VPN download in order to secure their private network with employees logging-in from outside the office.
With widespread concern about the spread of the coronavirus in the early stage of 2020, a large number of employees across businesses were required to work from home - and many still are. It's no secret that remote working has become increasingly popular. In February 2022, more than 8 in 10 workers based in the UK who had to work from home during the coronavirus pandemic said they planned to hybrid work according to the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey.
This is not just restricted to the UK either - global management consulting group McKinsey & Company found that nearly six in 10 Americans (58%) say they're able to work from home at least one day a week. Another 35% work from home seven days a week.
Why are more businesses incorporating a remote work model?
The popularity of remote working among employees continues to be on the up and is projected to become a permanent fixture of our working lives. Of course there will be both benefits and challenges as we shift in this direction, however, with the use of a VPN (virtual private network) many worries about remote working will be resolved.
In a similar vein, freelancing has long existed without affecting large corporations' work practices. Companies are increasingly recognising the advantages of employing remote workers.
Business leaders are reinventing team collaboration and communication, as well as building settings that support agility and innovation, in tandem with the rise of global and mobile technologies.
How do VPNs aid remote working?
Businesses are now adopting VPN. A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a way to securely connect to another network over the internet. When you connect to a VPN, all of your internet traffic is routed through an encrypted tunnel to the VPN server.
This means that anyone intercepting your traffic will only see encrypted data, making it much more difficult to steal your information. In addition, a VPN can also help to bypass internet restrictions imposed by your ISP or government.
By connecting to a server in a different country, you can access websites and services that would otherwise be blocked. For example, if you are in China and want to access Google, you can connect to a US-based VPN server to bypass the Chinese government's censorship.
VPNs are an essential tool for anyone who wants to keep their online activity private and secure.
VPN usage has skyrocketed in recent years and you might think this has to do with accessing restricted content online and bypassing geo-restrictions to open up entertainment options. While all of this is true, VPNs are a key tool for remote workers and businesses alike.
They act as a secure tunnel between two online locations and no one without access can see what you're doing in this secure tunnel. Using a VPN provides numerous security and privacy benefits. In rare situations, they can also boost your internet speed by avoiding your ISP's data prioritization.
Here are a few key ways in which VPNs aid remote working:
- Better security - Remote working poses a security risk in a variety of ways, not least by providing hackers with new attack options. Unencrypted connections, for example, can be intercepted by hackers. Passwords can be detected, stolen, and utilized, as well as sensitive data. An employee might train employees on how to deal with online frauds, but you can work with confidence if your connection to your employer's network is encrypted by a VPN.
- Increases productivity - Working from home, from a table at your favorite café, or even a hot-desk workstation is ideal. You should see a significant rise in productivity if you have the determination and discipline to work rather than play. Although it does take some work to get into the zone. However, you don't want to be concerned about the security and privacy of your connection. This type of distraction will decrease rather than boost productivity.
- Protection on public Wi-Fi - The great thing about working remotely is that you can work from anywhere and make use of public Wi-Fi. If you don't have Wi-Fi at home, free wireless access may be your only option for connecting to the internet for remote work. Various threats have been discovered in free Wi-Fi hotspots over the years. Unencrypted data can be detected and captured by Wi-Fi sniffer software installed on laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Fake wireless networks that masquerade as authentic ones monitor everything you do while connected. Activating a VPN will protect your data being stolen by a stranger over a public network.
What are the challenges of remote working?
Working from home has altered how businesses and employees view work culture, and there are numerous benefits to a remote working policy:
- Better work-life balance - Remote work eliminates the typical morning process of getting ready for work and then commuting in congested traffic. Employees can instead spend more time with their families and loved ones while also finding time to pursue new hobbies and interests. If this feels like it may be more of an issue, consider implementing a trust-based work culture.
- Saves time and money - Having employees work remotely can save your business a lot of time and money. Employers save money by not paying for office space, while employees save time and money by not having to commute every day. It also saves money on expenses like equipment maintenance, utilities, and other overhead costs that would otherwise be incurred.
- Maintains a good rapport - Telecommuting has compelled companies to take a more horizontal approach to hierarchy, as opposed to the vertical procedure that was formerly the standard in an office setting. Because meetings and other conversations are held via video conferencing, employees learn to communicate effectively in order to avoid misconceptions.
What are the downsides of remote working?
Many drawbacks rule out remote working as a feasible alternative for many industries. Some of these include:
- Decreased teamwork - Reduced collaboration is a big disadvantage of having your team spread across multiple locations or even working remotely. A remote team might not be able to communicate as frequently. This can lead to missed deadlines, miscommunication, and general frustration.
- Higher tech dependency - Another drawback of adopting a remote working style is a heavy reliance on technology. An internet connection problem at your home or distant working location can cause work interruptions. If a component on your PC or laptop dies, you must either drive to or hire a specialist to repair it, which may require you to miss work for a few days. Furthermore, power interruptions can render many people unable to work or even connect to the internet.
- Reduced social interaction - Boredom and feelings of loneliness might result from working from home or in a remote location with little interaction. Coworkers cannot engage with each other casually, as they would in a real office setting, and if they do, it is usually for work. It can be frustrating and lead to burnout, which has a negative impact on employee mental health.
Conclusion
As more people begin to telecommute, the advantages and disadvantages of remote working become clearer. It's time for more remote employees and businesses to understand the fundamentals of staying safe when working from home. A VPN is the best place to start.