One positive we have all discovered over the last few years is that we have digital capabilities at our disposal that can allow us to collaborate more than ever before. But with these enhanced collaboration tools comes more risk of technology failure, haphazard strategy, and potential cyberattacks.
As universities incorporate more hybrid or fully-remote positions, administrators must assess their collaboration tools and long-term procedures to ensure their remote employees are safe. Not sure where to begin? Here are a few simple steps to help get your college or university on a successful path to safe and secure remote work.
Step 1: Develop a Strategy
When universities suddenly went remote at the beginning of the pandemic, many schools did not have proper plans in place to address such a crisis. While we have learned a great deal in these two years, one certain lesson is that you can never be too prepared. If not already created, universities should develop a crisis management plan to detail each department’s role in the event of an emergency that causes extended periods of remote work. The plan should address certain expectations, guidelines, and procedures to ensure that if/when the time comes, everyone is ready to take action. The time you invest in developing a strategic plan will make for a smooth deployment and ease stress for faculty and students. A crisis should not compromise learning and growth. With a proper strategy in place, universities can minimize interruptions in the classroom.
Step 2: Improve Security Measures
After a deployment strategy is in place, universities should also consider improving security measures across the remote platforms they use. With more and more staff and faculty members working from home, that means more internet connections logging into university systems. This increase can mean the risk of potential hackers gaining access to sensitive files also increases. Assessing your university’s cybersecurity will help keep faculty, staff, and students safe. Not to mention, enhanced security measures will protect the university’s brand image from any public relations nightmares involved in cyberattacks.
Step 3: Modernize Remote Technology
As the demand for remote work continues to climb, universities will need to utilize systems with larger bandwidth and more advanced equipment. Universities must incorporate technology into their long-term security plans, from internet servers to file management software. Technology must withstand large numbers of students and faculty working from home. Modernized video conferencing allows instructors to provide students with more in-depth, interactive learning in a safe environment.
Planning for remote work takes careful considerations into strategy, security, and technology within higher education. But it’s vital to ensure that staff members feel safe and university systems are running smoothly.
Let IVCi know how we can help your university plan for the unexpected. We offer modern collaboration tools and strategic solutions for the next generation of inspired learning.
