The Biggest IT Problems Remote Teams Face (and How to Fix Them)

Remote work has become a huge part of business operations since 2020. This is because it allows businesses to continue operating without having to attend the office. But, remote work can only be productive and beneficial for the company when the employees have secure and reliable access to company systems. 

Slow connections, access problems, and recurring tickets lead to downtime and dwindling team performance, ultimately costing the business money in the long run. This is why your business must have measures in place to ensure remote working remains productive and beneficial for all parties involved.

1. Unreliable Home Internet and Connectivity

An IT problem every remote worker has suffered at some point is the effects of weak or unreliable WiFi. Drops in connectivity during company calls not only affect the person with a bad connection, but also those on the call as well. Poor WiFi can also hinder their access to the company cloud, which interrupts their workflow.

Measures your business can put in place include connectivity checks, wired connections if possible and clearly defined minimum connection standards.

2. Increased Cybersecurity Risks

Cyber attacks are a real risk for remote teams, especially when some remote teams are using devices outside of the office, outside the secure connection and connected to unsecured routers instead. In some cases, employees will be using personal devices, which may be protected by weak passwords and have no multi-factor authentication. All of these make them vulnerable to cyber attacks.

Consider enforcing MFA, endpoint protection, encryption, staff awareness and controlled access to company material. In some cases, a VPN may be necessary for optimal cybersecurity.

3. Slow Remote IT Support

If your IT support team is not prepared for remote working, their responses to tickets may become delayed and ineffective. Minor faults can become periods of extended downtime without remote monitoring and secure access tools. 

A central helpdesk will help with remote troubleshooting and proactive monitoring. 

4. Inconsistent Devices and Software

Use of personal devices to access company material can be one of the easiest ways for data breaches to occur. The same goes for outdated applications, unless you can enforce updates remotely. If providing devices to your employees, ensure there is a standard configuration, automated updates and remote device management to ensure it is as secure as possible. 

In some cases, it may be worth clearly stating if personal devices can be used to carry out company tasks.

5. Access and Password Problems

Remote employees often lose time dealing with forgotten passwords, locked accounts or access to the wrong systems. Poorly managed permissions can also create security risks, especially when staff change roles or leave the business. 

Password managers, multi-factor authentication and role-based access controls make sign-ins more secure and easier to manage. A clear joiner, mover and leaver process also ensures access is granted, updated and removed at the right time.

6. Communication Tool Overload

Too many forms of communication can sometimes hinder the productivity of a remote team. With so many calls, emails, and direct messages on a range of different platforms, remote teams can become overwhelmed by communication.

To reduce the impact, we recommend outlining agreed channels, response expectations and documented ownership after meetings.

7. Weak Backup and Recovery Planning

It is important to note that while cloud-based work is generally pretty secure, it does not automatically remove backup risks. Accidental deletion, ransomware and inaccessible business data can have huge knock-on effects on business productivity. 

With the help of an IT support team, we recommend monitored backups, recovery testing and a documented continuity plan.

How Proactive IT Support Prevents Repeat Problems

Proactive IT support helps businesses address issues before they disrupt remote teams. Regular monitoring, automated updates, security checks and reliable backups can reduce downtime and prevent the same faults from returning. 

It also gives employees a clear route for support when problems arise. 

By working with a trusted IT partner such as VCI Systems, businesses can maintain secure, consistent systems while giving staff the confidence to work effectively from anywhere.

FAQs

Discover some of the most commonly asked questions about remote teams and their IT problems.

What Should Be Included in a Remote Working IT Policy?

Your remote working IT policy should cover approved devices, software, data access, home-network security, incident reporting, backups and employee responsibilities.

Can an IT Provider Support Employees Working From Home?

Yes, an IT support provider can help remote teams. They do this through remote monitoring, secure troubleshooting, device management and helpdesk support. Some hardware problems may still require replacement or on-site assistance.