Managing staff working securely from home involves more than just handing out laptops and VPN access. A virtual Chief Information Officer (vCIO) plays a strategic role in overseeing your IT environment, ensuring that remote working setups align with your business goals, security requirements, and compliance obligations. They provide the leadership and expertise to coordinate policies, technology, and training, reducing risks associated with home-based work.
Why this matters for UK SMEs
Allowing staff to work remotely without proper oversight can expose your business to significant risks. These include data breaches, accidental data loss, or downtime caused by misconfigured systems. For example, without a clear strategy, employees might use unsecured Wi-Fi networks, share passwords, or store sensitive data on personal devices. This can damage customer trust, lead to regulatory penalties under UK GDPR or the Data Protection Act 2018, and disrupt productivity.
Having a vCIO helps you anticipate and manage these risks by establishing consistent security controls such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), endpoint management, and regular backups. They also ensure your IT policies meet standards like Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001, which can be important for tendering or maintaining customer confidence.
A practical scenario
Consider a UK-based SME with around 50 employees, many of whom shifted to home working during the pandemic. Initially, the business allowed staff to connect via VPN using personal devices. After a few months, a ransomware attack exploited outdated software on one employee's laptop, encrypting critical files and halting operations for several days. The company's IT provider then introduced a vCIO service to develop a remote work strategy. This included deploying company-managed devices with up-to-date security patches, enforcing MFA, implementing centralised backups, and conducting staff training on phishing awareness. These steps reduced the risk of future incidents and improved compliance readiness.
Checklist: What to do now
- Ask your IT provider: Do you offer vCIO services that include remote work security strategy? How do you ensure compliance with UK data protection laws?
- Review your current setup: Are all remote devices company-managed and regularly patched? Is MFA enabled on all accounts?
- Check your policies: Do you have clear rules on data access, password management, and acceptable use for home workers?
- Audit backups: Are backups automated, encrypted, and tested regularly? Where are backup copies stored?
- Train staff: Have employees received guidance on recognising phishing emails and securing their home networks?
- Evaluate SLAs: Does your IT support contract cover rapid response to remote access issues and security incidents?
Next steps
While not every small business may need a full-time CIO, a vCIO can provide valuable expertise to manage the complexities of secure home working. If you're unsure whether your current IT arrangements address these challenges, consider consulting a trusted managed IT provider or IT advisor. They can help assess your risks, recommend practical improvements, and support compliance with UK security standards.