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In 2023, many businesses have shifted to a remote or hybrid work model. Remote work however can present unique challenges, including cybersecurity risks, communication barriers, and the need for new, more reliable technology. That’s where Managed Service Providers (MSPs) come in.

The Trend Towards Remote Work

Remote work is not a new concept, but it has become increasingly popular in recent years. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the trend towards remote work, with many businesses shifting to a remote work model to ensure the safety of their employees. According to a survey conducted by Gartner, 88% of organizations worldwide have encouraged or required employees to work from home due to the pandemic. Additionally, a study by Pew Research Center found that 71% of workers in the United States were working from home in May 2020, compared to just 20% in January 2020.

The Benefits of Remote Work

Remote work offers many benefits to businesses, including increased productivity, reduced overhead costs, and access to a wider pool of talent. Employees also benefit from working remotely, with increased flexibility, improved work-life balance, and reduced commute times. According to a survey by Owl Labs, 91% of remote workers feel that they are more productive when working from home, and 71% of remote workers report a better work-life balance.

Challenges of Remote Work

However, remote work can present unique challenges, including cybersecurity risks, communication barriers, and the need for reliable technology. Businesses that shift to a remote work model need to ensure that their employees have access to the technology and support they need to do their jobs effectively and securely.

How MSPs Can Help

That’s where MSPs come in. MSPs provide remote IT support and management services that can help businesses overcome the challenges of remote work. MSPs can provide the following services to make remote work successful:

1. Cybersecurity: MSPs can provide cybersecurity services to protect against cyber threats, such as phishing attacks and ransomware. MSPs can also provide employee training to help employees recognize and respond to cyber threats. According to a study by Kaspersky, the number of phishing attacks increased by 350% in 2020, highlighting the importance of cybersecurity and relevant training for remote workers.

2. Communication: MSPs can provide collaboration tools that enable effective communication and collaboration between remote employees. These tools include video conferencing, team chat, and project management software. In a survey conducted by Buffer, 98% of remote workers say that video conferencing is an essential tool for communication and collaboration.

3. Technical Support: MSPs can provide technical support to ensure that remote employees have access to the technology they need to do their jobs effectively. This includes hardware and software support, as well as remote troubleshooting and problem resolution. A study by Robert Half found that 72% of employees working remotely experience technology issues, highlighting the need for technical support for remote workers.

4. Infrastructure Management: MSPs can manage remote IT infrastructure, including cloud-based services and virtual private networks (VPNs), to ensure that remote employees have secure and reliable access to business systems and data.

5. Data Backup and Recovery: MSPs can provide data backup and recovery services to ensure that business data is not lost in the event of a disaster or cyber attack.

6. Compliance: MSPs can ensure that remote workers are complying with industry regulations and best practices, such as GDPR and HIPAA. MSPs can also provide employee training on compliance requirements to reduce the risk of non-compliance.

In 2023 it looks as though remote work is here to stay, and businesses need to adapt to ensure the success of their remote workforce. Managed Service Providers can help businesses overcome the challenges of remote work by providing cybersecurity, communication, technical support, infrastructure management, data backup and recovery, and compliance services. By partnering with an MSP, businesses can ensure that their remote workers have access to the technology and support they need to do their jobs effectively and securely.