After the initial shutdowns and stay-at-home orders lifted following COVID-19, workers throughout the United States and Minnesota decided that the work-from-home model was here to stay. It makes sense — working from home offers a lot of convenience to your team – and it can greatly cut down on expenses and downtime. However, for many businesses a critical component was left out of their strategy when they sent their workers home – protecting their data and supporting all those remote employees (and their devices) across the map. That’s where IT companies in Minnesota can help.
The Important of IT Support for the Hybrid Workforce
Many businesses came back to the office eventually but maintained a new-normal with a hybrid schedule. This allowed some flexibility in scheduling but requires some additional strategy to support an expanding digital footprint. Whether your company is remote, hybrid, or fully in-person, you need a comprehensive IT strategy to make sure your technology aligns with your team’s needs and remains secure across locations.
Integris is a partner to businesses across industries in protecting and empowering their hybrid workforce. Our tailored approach to consulting means you receive a strategy that aligns with your team – whether they’re based in Minnesota, or across the country.
Managed IT Services in Minnesota: What Should Your Team Leverage?
So, when it comes to managed IT services in Minnesota, what solutions should your team take advantage of? At the end of the day, it’s best to take a custom approach to IT. Every business is different and has different needs for their environment. Below, see some of the most important solutions that IT companies in Minnesota like Integris recommend to stay secure and get ahead:
- Cloud Computing
- 24/7 Support
- Remote Desktops
- Cybersecurity Services
- Communication & Collaboration
- Secure VPNs
- Testing and Training
Cloud Computing
Essentially any business with a hybrid workforce must take advantage of cloud solutions. Cloud computing enables remote workers to access the resources and applications they need from any location, making it an essential component of hybrid environments. With cloud computing, businesses can store and process data securely in a centralized location, reducing the risk of data loss or theft.
24/7 Support
Providing 24/7 support to remote workers ensures that they have access to the help they need when they need it. This support can include IT assistance, technical support, and troubleshooting that can help keep remote workers productive and secure. Whether your team members are in Minnesota or a completely different time zone, they need access to an expert if something goes wrong with their technology as soon as possible. With 24/7 support, you can rest assured that someone is on-call to solve the problem at any time of the day.
Remote Desktops
Remote desktops allow hybrid workers to access their work computer from any location, ensuring they can use the tools and applications they need to get their work done. With remote desktops, hybrid employees can access their work computer as if they were sitting in front of it, with full control over the operating system, applications, and files. Plus, remote desktops can be used to provide remote technical support, as your IT company in Minnesota can access and control your computer to diagnose and resolve technical issues.
Cybersecurity Services
Cybersecurity services are essential for protecting the sensitive data of remote workers and businesses. These services can include firewalls, antivirus software, and managed detection and response systems to help prevent cyberattacks. Cyber threats and data breaches can have devastating consequences for businesses, ranging from financial loss to reputation damage, and loss of customer trust. By investing in cybersecurity services, businesses can put safeguards in place so your hybrid workforce can work safely and securely from any location.
Communication & Collaboration
Communication and collaboration tools, such as video conferencing, instant messaging, and project management software, allow remote workers to stay connected with their colleagues and work together as if they were in the same office. This helps businesses maintain productivity and ensures that remote workers have access to the support they need.
Secure VPNs
Secure virtual private networks (VPNs) allow remote workers to securely access the resources and applications they need while working outside of the office. VPNs create a secure, encrypted tunnel between a remote worker’s device and the company’s network, providing a secure and private connection to company resources. This is especially important for businesses that handle sensitive information (like financial institutions), as it helps prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data.
Essentially, VPNs work by encrypting all data that is transmitted over the network, making it difficult for hackers or unauthorized users to access the data. This encryption ensures that sensitive information is protected from eavesdropping and other forms of cyberattacks, even when the remote worker is using a public Wi-Fi network. Plus, VPNs can provide remote workers with access to internal company resources, such as file servers and printers, even when they are working from a remote location.
In addition to providing a secure connection, VPNs can also improve the performance and reliability of hybrid work by allowing remote workers to access company resources over a local network connection, rather than over a slow or unreliable internet connection. This can help improve the productivity and efficiency and reduce frustration and downtime due to network issues.
Testing and Training
Regular testing and training help businesses ensure that all employees are aware of the security measures in place and know how to use them effectively. This helps prevent security breaches and confirms that remote workers are equipped to work safely from any location.
Cybersecurity awareness training can include a range of topics, such as password management, data privacy, phishing scams, and how to recognize and respond to potential security threats. By providing employees with this education, businesses can help them understand the importance of cybersecurity and empower them to play a role in protecting sensitive data. Additionally, testing can include simulated phishing scams, vulnerability assessments, and penetration testing to identify and remediate any security weaknesses.
All this comes together to help your business stay current with the latest threats and best practices. As technology and cyber threats evolve, it is important to adapt and update security measures accordingly. Regular testing and training can help businesses stay ahead of the curve and ensure that their hybrid workers are equipped with the latest knowledge and tools to work safely and securely.
Support Your Team with Managed IT Services in Minnesota
From cloud computing to 24/7 support, these tools and services help remote workers access the resources and applications they need to be productive and secure. Moreover, secure VPNs and cybersecurity services protect sensitive data, while regular testing and training help remote workers stay informed about the latest security measures.
Overall, these technologies and services demonstrate the importance of investing in tools that support hybrid work. By providing employees with the tools and resources they need, businesses can ensure that they are able to maintain productivity and security while working outside of the office. As hybrid work continues to grow in popularity, these technologies and services will become increasingly important in helping businesses stay secure and productive in a business environment.
IT Companies in Minnesota: Contact Integris Today
Interested in learning more about optimizing and securing your hybrid work environment? Integris can help. Our team of IT experts and consultants can help you build a custom strategy to support your Minnesota business.
Contact us today to get a free consultation and learn more about Integris’ managed IT services in Minnesota.
