For most of 2020, businesses at home and abroad had to adapt. Resulting in employees being forced to work remotely due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Consequently, this has created unexpected costs for companies, with a huge demand for laptops and other IT equipment. As office workers return to work, many businesses are introducing hybrid working to bring the workforce back slowly and safely. Therefore, many businesses have been considering leasing their IT equipment in these unprecedented times.

Adopting this hybrid model, however, comes with its own challenges. With staff demanding greater flexibility, this blog explores how preparation is also key when introducing this hybrid model to the workplace.

According to Deloitte, due to an increase in people working from home, cybercriminals have been able to update their tactics. This has made working from home a gateway to new forms of data theft. And this is why cyber-security measures are crucial.

Firstly, what are the most common cyber-security threats?

• Employees using their personal devices for work puts the company in a vulnerable position for security breaches. This is because personal devices may not have sufficient security tools in order to secure data from hackers.
• Another threat that companies and employees should look out for is phishing scams. This is where cyber-criminals send valid-looking emails to employees that contain links and attachments that, if clicked on, could pose massive security risks for the company.

So, what are the solutions to these potential threats?

Making sure your employees are fully equipped with the latest and most secure technology is easy. We are happy to recommend some of our trusted suppliers – who we’ve worked with for a number of years.

For new start-ups as well as existing businesses, laptops are essential for a hybrid form of work and support remote working. Leasing laptops with WestWon is a cost-effective way of spreading the cost.

Laptops are portable and certain models are just as powerful as desktop computers. Our strong connections with funders and suppliers mean our customers can lease laptops quickly; decisions are usually made within 24 working hours and we have a 95% acceptance rate. If you’d like to know more, please visit our FAQ section.

Implementing Security ‘Best Practice’

The most common security breaches are human-made, often, insecure passwords coupled with little guidance on IT security are the cause of data breaches. To decrease the chance of your company facing security breaches, it’s important to train your employees. Educate them about phishing scams and make sure they practice good password hygiene.

A few other measures to avoid security threats include the following:

• Utilising cloud applications to improve collaboration
• Setting up two-factor authentication
• Using a virtual private network (VPN)
• Implementing effective password management – passwordgenerator.net is a great tool to create difficult passwords
• Regularly updating your software

Another important thing to consider when implementing this hybrid method of working is the mental well-being of your employees. Especially coming out of the pandemic, there should be a greater focus on mental health. Support your employees by:

• Providing therapy sessions and stress management tips and courses
• The CIPD has a guide for supporting mental health during COVID-19

Here at WestWon, we provide IT leasing through accredited distributors who can provide you with the information you need to protect your business.

Call us today on 01494 611 456 to discuss your IT needs.