Remote Working IT Setup Guide for London SMEs
Hybrid and remote working are now standard for most London businesses. But while the concept is simple – let people work from home – the IT behind it is often poorly implemented, leaving businesses exposed to security risks, productivity bottlenecks, and frustrated staff.
This guide covers what a properly set up remote working environment looks like for a small or mid-sized London business.
The Essentials
Secure Device Management
Every device your team uses to access company data – whether company-issued or personal – needs to be properly managed. This means endpoint protection, disk encryption, automatic updates, and the ability to remotely wipe a device if it is lost or stolen. Microsoft Intune or similar mobile device management tools make this manageable even for small teams.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
MFA should be enabled on every account that accesses company data. This is the single most effective security measure you can implement for remote workers. If a password is compromised, MFA prevents the attacker from gaining access. There is no good reason not to have this in place.
Cloud-Based Collaboration
Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace provides email, file storage, video conferencing, and collaboration tools that work from anywhere. The key is making sure these platforms are properly configured – with appropriate sharing permissions, data loss prevention policies, and retention settings.
VoIP Telephony
Your phone system needs to work wherever your team is. Modern VoIP systems like Microsoft Teams calling or dedicated cloud PBX solutions give your staff a professional phone experience on their laptop or mobile, with the same business number whether they are in the office or at home.
Reliable Connectivity
Remote working is only as good as the internet connection. While you cannot control your employees’ home broadband, you can provide guidance on minimum requirements, offer mobile hotspot backup for critical roles, and ensure your cloud infrastructure is optimised for remote access.
Security Considerations
Remote working expands your attack surface significantly. Devices connect over home Wi-Fi networks, staff work from coffee shops, and the boundary between personal and professional use blurs. Key security measures include:
- Conditional access policies – Only allow access to company data from compliant, managed devices.
- Email security – Remote workers are more susceptible to phishing. Advanced email filtering and security awareness training are essential.
- Secure file sharing – Staff need easy, secure ways to share files. If you do not provide them, people will use personal email, USB drives, or consumer cloud storage – all of which create risk.
- Backup – Data created on remote devices needs to be backed up. Cloud-based file storage with automatic sync handles this, but only if it is configured correctly.
Common Mistakes
- No device management – Allowing staff to access company data on unmanaged personal devices with no security controls.
- VPN as the only solution – VPNs were designed for a different era. Modern cloud-first setups often work better with conditional access and zero-trust approaches.
- Ignoring home office setup – Slow home internet, inadequate monitors, and poor ergonomics all affect productivity and wellbeing.
- No clear IT support for remote staff – Remote workers need the same quality of IT support as office-based staff. If your helpdesk is only set up for walk-in queries, it will not work.
Getting It Right
A properly configured remote working environment should feel seamless to your staff. They should be able to access everything they need, communicate effectively with colleagues and clients, and feel confident that their data is secure – without having to think about the technology behind it.
At Caroleo Technology, we set up and manage remote and hybrid working environments for small businesses across London. From device management and security to VoIP and cloud collaboration, we handle the technical detail so your team can work productively from wherever they are.
Talk to us about setting up secure remote working for your team →