Ensuring productive and secure teleworking thanks to cloud computing!

The pandemic episode we are all experiencing has turned our work habits upside down. Indeed, to limit the spread of the coronavirus, the generalisation of teleworking was one of the strategies adopted by many companies. So how can we guarantee the same levels of productivity and security? By migrating to cloud computing!

A simplified accessibility

Working remotely is one thing, but having access to all the company’s data, as well as the business applications used on a daily basis, is another. Therefore, this way of working requires technical adjustments to be implemented within the company’s strategy, in order to maintain effective teamwork.

With cloud computing, working outside the office becomes considerably simpler thanks to access to the same workspace as in the office. Not only can you consult, modify or share company data, but you can also access commonly used software at any time and from any device, as long as it has an internet connection. This is possible thanks to the association between cloud computing and desktop virtualisation, making data accessible from anywhere, not just from a single terminal. Also, in the event of loss, theft or end of life of your IT equipment, you will be able to easily access all your business data from a new device and continue working.

What about the “Bring Your Own Device” ?

Despite the fact that employees are encouraged to telework, there is still some reluctance to use personal IT equipment (telephone, computer, tablet…) in a professional context. Indeed, private computers have become an easier prey for various attacks, especially since the generalised confinement.

Although cloud computing allows the creation of a virtual environment dedicated to company resources, it is still possible for hackers to attack your terminal, and therefore potentially enter your professional space. It is therefore necessary to ensure that the terminals used are sufficiently protected (antivirus, firewall, etc.). On the other hand, the awareness of all staff to the challenges of cybersecurity must not be forgotten. Indeed, the level of security for everyone will certainly depend on the mechanisms put in place to secure IT equipment, but will also result from its use.

Nevertheless, it should be noted that in the event of theft or loss of IT equipment, the company’s data remains protected because it is not saved on the equipment as such. It is therefore essential to require that company data does not leave the working environment, otherwise it will become more vulnerable to attack. It is therefore forbidden to save company documents in the personal environment or to store them on external media such as a hard disk or USB key. However, if the use of these external devices cannot be prohibited, make sure you put in place external device control and/or encryption.

And what about security?

Because of their priceless nature, it is important to ensure that the data processed is as secure remotely as it is in the workplace. All the more so as an unprecedented increase in cyber-attacks (phishing, ransomware, DDoS…) has been recorded over the last few months, and this is not surprising! Confinement is indeed proving to be a godsend for cybercriminals, for several reasons:

• The working environment is often less secure at home than in the office,
• The anxiety affecting many people leads to an urgent need to stay informed about the coronavirus,
• Employees may be led to be in a state of mind “at home” rather than “at work”, leading to risky behaviour (use of their professional equipment for personal purposes: visiting websites in a private setting, consulting emails received in their personal mailbox…).

Therefore, a high level of security must be put in place to prevent potential data loss and thus not compromise the company’s systems. To do this, what could be better than to host all your data in a private cloud environment!

Indeed, your data will be stored securely, and you will benefit from the implementation of numerous mechanisms such as firewalls, secure remote access via multi-factor authentication, data encryption, as well as system monitoring. You will also benefit from automatic updates of operating systems and software applications, guaranteeing protection against the latest known vulnerabilities.

We can thus affirm that teleworking, combined with cloud computing, can be a secure way of working that allows a level of productivity similar to that found in the office. Interested in cloud migration? We can provide you with our desktop virtualisation services.