Organizations use computers and information systems to reduce costs and gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. While workers have telecommuted for many years, this practice exploded during the COVID19 pandemic as academic institutions and organizations went 100% online. This drastic shift forced learners from kindergarten to graduate school to shift to an entirely different pedagogy. This was also the same for the workforce as many workers shifted from their cubicles/offices to their living rooms and dens.
Research a particular industry (academic or corporate) and explain how they converted to telecommuting from an IT perspective.
What are some of the issues they encountered in regard to remote access, security, database access, and other daily IT functions that traditionally took place in an office setting?
Full Answer Section
- Cloud-Based Solutions:Law firms heavily invested in cloud storage and document management systems to allow remote access to case files, legal documents, and internal collaboration tools.
- Communication and Collaboration Platforms:Secure video conferencing platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams became essential for conducting meetings, depositions, and client consultations remotely.
Challenges Encountered:
- Remote Access Security:Ensuring secure access to sensitive legal documents and databases remotely required stricter access controls and potential upgrades to multi-factor authentication.
- Data Security Concerns:The increased use of personal devices for work raised concerns about data breaches and unauthorized access. IT departments had to implement stricter data security protocols and potentially provide secure work laptops or desktops to employees.
- Collaboration and Communication Issues:Replicating the in-office environment for collaboration proved challenging. IT had to ensure robust video conferencing platforms with screen sharing capabilities and instant messaging tools to facilitate communication and teamwork.
- Cybersecurity Training:With a dispersed workforce, cybersecurity training became even more critical. Training employees on identifying phishing attacks, avoiding malware, and maintaining strong passwords became crucial elements of remote work security.
Additional Considerations:
- Technical Support:IT departments had to establish remote support channels to troubleshoot technical issues faced by employees working from home.
- Equipment and Ergonomics:Some firms provided financial assistance or equipment loans to ensure employees had appropriate technology and ergonomic workstations at home.
Conclusion:
The legal industry's transition to telecommuting presented significant IT challenges, but many firms successfully adapted through investments in secure remote access, cloud-based solutions, and robust communication platforms. Ongoing cybersecurity training and remote support remain crucial for a secure and productive remote work environment. While challenges exist, the legal industry has shown its ability to adapt and leverage technology to maintain operations and client service in a remote work setting.
Sample Answer
The COVID-19 pandemic forced many traditionally office-bound industries to rapidly adopt telecommuting practices. Let's explore how the legal industry, known for its reliance on physical documents and secure communication, transitioned to a remote work environment from an IT viewpoint.
Conversion to Telecommuting:
- Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): Secured access to internal servers and resources became crucial. IT departments had to ensure VPNs could handle a significantly increased user load while maintaining security protocols.