Ensuring your business network can support staff working from home is more important than ever. Many UK SMEs have shifted to remote or hybrid working models, which means your network needs to be reliable, secure, and capable of handling remote connections without slowing down or exposing sensitive data.
Why upgrading your network matters for UK SMEs
If your network isn't designed for remote access, staff may face frequent disconnections, slow speeds, or difficulties accessing essential systems. This can reduce productivity and increase frustration. More critically, an outdated or poorly configured network can create security gaps, increasing the risk of cyberattacks or data breaches. For businesses handling personal data, this can also raise compliance concerns under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Downtime or data loss caused by network issues can damage customer trust and lead to costly recovery efforts. For example, if your team cannot securely access customer records or process orders remotely, this disrupts service and may impact your reputation.
A typical scenario: upgrading for remote work
Consider a UK SME with around 50 employees, half of whom now work from home regularly. Initially, staff used VPNs over home broadband connections, but slow speeds and dropped connections caused delays. The IT provider recommended upgrading the company's firewall to support more simultaneous VPN connections and implemented multi-factor authentication (MFA) to enhance security. They also advised staff on optimising home Wi-Fi setups and introduced regular network monitoring to quickly spot issues.
This approach reduced downtime, improved remote access speeds, and strengthened data protection, helping the business maintain smooth operations and compliance readiness.
Checklist: What to do next
- Ask your IT provider: Can our current network handle the number of remote users securely and reliably? What improvements do you recommend?
- Check VPN capacity and performance: Are VPN connections stable and fast enough for daily work? Is MFA enabled for all remote access?
- Review firewall and router capabilities: Are these devices up to date and configured to support remote work securely?
- Evaluate home worker setups: Do staff have guidance on securing their home Wi-Fi and devices? Are company laptops managed with up-to-date security patches?
- Confirm monitoring and incident response: Does your IT support include proactive network monitoring and quick response to issues?
- Consider compliance requirements: Are access controls, logging, and backups aligned with UK GDPR and Cyber Essentials standards?
Next steps
Upgrading your network for remote work is a practical step to protect your business, improve staff productivity, and maintain customer trust. Speak with a trusted managed IT provider or IT advisor who understands the challenges faced by UK SMEs. They can assess your current setup, recommend targeted improvements, and help you implement solutions that balance security, performance, and cost.