How to set up laptops for employees working remotely

How to set up laptops for employees working remotely

It is no secret that remote work has exploded in popularity over the last few years; unfortunately, so has cybercrime. If leaders don't know how to set up laptops for employees working remotely and how to manage a distributed team, or remote workers are not careful, they are leaving their organizations vulnerable to cyberattacks. 

There are more than 2,200 cyberattacks per day, that could equate to 800,000 people being hacked every year, according to Norton. DDoS attacks are expected to grow to around $10.5 trillion per year by 2025, while IBM reports that the average cost of a ransomware attack reached $4.54 million in 2022.

The best way to reduce risk is to be in control of the devices that you and your employees use.

In this article, we'll discuss laptop management and provide practical tips on how to set up laptops for remote employees. If you are looking for a laptop management service for your remote team take a look at our pricing.

Laptop Management for Remote Workers

how to set up laptops for employees working remotely

Laptop management is essential in all cases, whether you are providing the equipment or allowing employees to use their own resources. Your responsibility is to ensure work laptops for virtual teams are protected, as their loss is your company's loss.

Creating a comprehensive catalog that includes details such as laptop specifications, ownership, and usage history can streamline maintenance, facilitate quick replacements, and contribute to overall asset accountability within the remote work environment.

Since employees will be using those devices to access company information –which can sometimes include confidential information– it is imperative for employees to take effective laptop management seriously.

Below is a set of step-by-step instructions for setting up a secure company laptop:

Step by Step Instructions for Setting Up a Secure Company Laptop

Laptop security is a serious issue because of the sensitive data and corporate information that employees manipulate on those devices. All the more reason to protect those assets and your business.

The following are some laptop security tips that will help you set up laptops for remote employees safely.

    1. Add the device to the company domain by extending local ID admin features to the laptop and adding the tools and apps remote employees need to do their jobs.
    2. Add the device to your inventory tracking system.  Include the serial number, name, issuance date, user name, and condition at the time of issuance. You can use management tools, spreadsheets, or use a global device distribution service like GroWrk with a platform that provides easy inventory management.
    3. Protect the computer by disabling local administrators so your employees cannot install unwanted tools onto the device that can likely leave the computer susceptible to cyberattacks. This also ensures the company laptop is only used for work-related tasks.
    4. Remote employers are also advised to draw up equipment-use agreements with their employees spelling out the terms of use. This will ensure all parties understand what is acceptable and there is no confusion regarding how to use the device. All relevant parties should sign this agreement and agree on the terms and conditions.
    5. Set up folders that sync, so that remote workers have no trouble accessing company information and storing files.
    6. Remote employers should set up a VPN to secure the system and reduce the risk of hacks. Choose a Remote employee VPN that works well without affecting speed. Some VPN networks offer good protection but at a cost. You need to check multiple options before picking one that fits your remote worker needs and company size.
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7. Install a reliable remote desktop software so that your team can solve issues remotely. Most remote desktop programs offer software licensing that allows companies to install these on other devices.
8. It is important to make decisions early on how updates will be made. Running an old OS or system can be risky and can also cause data loss. You will probably need to schedule remote sessions to update the system manually. Alternatively, a WSUS server can also be used to ensure the system gets updated without manual intervention.
9. For added security, ensure to add a password screensaver so that nobody else can log in to the system. It would help if you also considered using a password-protected screensaver to protect your device even when the user isn't there to keep an eye on it.
10. Have a backup policy so that you don't end up losing important files. It's easy for Mac users due to the Time Machine feature that allows users to create local backups. On Windows, however, you may need third-party tools since the backup utility feature that comes with the OS is not very reliable. Alternatively, you can also look into backup settings for cloud service providers such as Google Drive and Dropbox. Although a lot of companies have their own backup policies, all data backup should be encrypted in the case it is stolen or compromised.  
11. Choose an antivirus. A good antivirus should be able to detect and remove malware, spyware, etc. You should also choose a program that updates automatically and works seamlessly without any issues.
12HDD should be encrypted so that hackers cannot get access to your content. Most OSs come with built-in encryption, such as BitLocker for Windows. You can, however, use third-party tools as well.
13. It is always a good idea to go the extra mile to protect your privacy by adding a privacy screen. Believe it or not, shoulder surfing attacks are pretty common. This is important if your remote workers like to work from restaurants, parks, or other public places. Private screens limit viewing angles and ensure unauthorized people cannot view the screen.
14. Add a webcam cover to eliminate the risk of someone invading your worker's privacy. Hackers are often known to use remote administration tools to spy on others without making it obvious. The best way to reduce the risk is to use a physical cover.
15. Companies should also enable a location-finding service. Doing so will allow the location manager and/or the user to know where the laptop is. It can be of help in monitoring the device. Moreover, it can help the company find the device if it ever gets stolen or lost. However, a lot of persons have conflicting opinions as these apps can also be used to track the PC user. Before making decisions like this, it is important to discuss with your team and hear their opinion. 
16. Two-factor authentication should be enabled on all your accounts to provide an extra layer of security. Enabling this feature will prevent hackers from accessing your files even if they are able to get access to the password. 
    A woman seated on a couch while working on her laptop

    Remember that Secure Remote Workers Protect the Company

    Your business can only be protected when your employees are protected. Companies often invest heavily to protect the premises and secure their LAN servers, but very few spend on protecting remote workers.

    It shouldn't matter where your workers are physically located, as your business can be at risk if their laptops are not secure.

    Although laptop management is important for both in-house and remote workers, in addition to preparing a remote work laptop policy, employers should consider providing training for their remote workers on how to maintain privacy.

    They should know how to use a laptop for remote work and what to do in case things go wrong. For example, they should know how to identify risky WiFi networks or what to do if they ever identify a virus.

    Other things that can put laptops at risk are old hardware, working without a VPN, and connecting to unsecured networks.

    A woman smiling and working on her laptop from her couch

    Establishing a Company Laptop Policy 

    The importance of a company laptop policy cannot be overstated. It covers everything from how to protect your laptop inventory to how to share data. 

    Work on a policy that benefits not just your company but the end-user as well. Remote workers should not find it too stringent.

    It should answer all questions a user may have about the laptop, including using a work laptop for personal use, installing third-party tools, connecting hardware such as a USB drive, and carrying the laptop around for work or personal use.

    Also Check: How Perform Remote Worker Equipment Survey

    Understanding the Laptops in Your Inventory Using the GroWrk Dashboard

    The more employees you have, and the further apart they are, the harder it will be to manage your laptop inventory. With GroWrk, you can see the status and location of all the devices in your inventory from a single dashboard.

     

    We offer everything from purchases to deliveries, maintenance, pickups, storage, software, and security. Moreover, there is 24/7 helpdesk support, and each laptop comes installed with remote access software like Apple Business Manager.

    With our laptop management software, you are able to set up your IT infrastructure all through one single service. It will make it easier to control your devices and know when they need an update or maintenance.

    With our system, you will not have to worry about how to maintain security when employees work remotely.

    Schedule a chat with one of our product experts and see how it works.

    A colorful work from home space with a woman typing on her keyboard while her baby colors her drawing

    How to Set up Remote Access

    Remote access refers to the ability to access a computer or network that isn't in your physical location. With remote access, employees can access files stored on a different computer. It gives employers access to other devices.

    Remote workers use this feature to get access to files that aren't stored in the cloud. It can also be used to solve issues. Your IT department can use remote access to install or remove software on a different computer and troubleshoot issues.

    It works by creating a virtual environment between the remote computer and the user. Both macOS and Windows come with built-in remote access tools.

    1. You can set up remote login on a Mac by opening the Apple menu, clicking on System Preferences, choosing Sharing, and selecting Remote Login.
    2. You can decide who can log in remotely and what they can do here. For example, selecting the "Allow full disk access for remote users" checkbox will allow full access. For security purposes, only selected users should be given full access.
    3. You can access computers remotely by going to System Preferences, Sharing, and selecting Remote Login. Choose your target computer and enter the required information.
    4. On windows, you will need Windows 10 Pro to use this feature. You can access this feature by clicking on the start
    5. Click on Settings, click on System, click on Remote Desktop, and choose Enable Remote Desktop to activate this feature.
    6. You can connect by opening the Remote Desktop Connection feature from the search bar on the taskbar.
    7. You will need the device's IP address that you wish to connect to, and once connected, you will be asked to enter your login details.
    A smiling woman typing on her laptop

    Where to find a service to set up computer equipment for other employees

    Instead of purchasing individual laptops from different suppliers, you can use third-party tools to create a remote working setup for each individual remote employee.

    By using GroWrk's service, you can provide remote access to laptops to your entire workforce, regardless of their location. 

    All you need to do is sign up, add your employees to your dashboard, add any current inventory, and place orders for their devices. We then handle the delivery and make sure their secure laptop arrives in a timely manner.

    Man sitting at his work station looking outside the window

    Employees can then access the work server from home, and employers can access their laptops so they can work no matter where they are.

    Should any issues arise, we have 24/7 help desk support to troubleshoot any problems a remote employee may be experiencing with their company device. 

    The remote access feature can be used to set up computer equipment for employees working remotely, and give your employee remote access to stored files.

    When a remote employee leaves or their contract ends, GroWrk will send one of our global partners to come and pick up the device and have it stored in one of their warehouses.

    They will conduct any necessary maintenance, and when it is ready to be sent to a new employee, you will receive a notification in your dashboard.

    Can companies track your work laptop? Legally, yes, they can, especially if you are using a company-provided computer.

    Businesses have to track devices to know their performance, ensure employees are working as expected, and that the device is safe and well-maintained.

    The remote access feature, however, isn't used for this purpose. Companies mainly use it to set up laptops, including employee-owned devices, ensure there are no technical issues, and that files can be accessed whenever needed.

    Setting Up Laptop for Remote Employees: FAQ

    Is it legal to monitor devices used by remote workers?

    It's legal to monitor your staff while they work from home. Almost all types of employee surveillance are entirely legal, as there is very little data protection for employee privacy.

    Although some states in the US like Delaware and Connecticut require employers to provide written notice 

    Am I allowed to use the work computer for personal tasks?

    Although this largely depends on the company's remote work policy, employees are not allowed to use their work computers for personal tasks.

    Work computers are usually connected to the company's private networks, so using your company laptop for personal tasks is not recommended. In most cases, it's smarter and safer to only use it just for business-related tasks.

    Can I demand my employer to cover internet costs?

    No. There are no laws in place for employers to cover expenses incurred while working at home. However, some state laws in the US require reimbursement for necessary job expenses such as internet costs.

    Also, some companies offer this as perks to their employees, so research state laws where you live and make the right decision for yourself.

    Wrapping up 

    Enhancing cybersecurity should be at the forefront of all companies' work policies. Setting up laptops for employees working remotely is crucial to safeguard company information. 

    The above steps should guide any cybersecurity enthusiast looking for how to set up laptops for employees working remotely.

    GroWrk can help your organization by providing inventory management for IT assets on a global scale. Whether you have team members with company-owned hardware in one or 15 countries, you can seamlessly manage all of them using our platform. Book a call today to get started.

    GroWrk Team

    December 20

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