In your planned response to the spread of Coronavirus, you’ve no doubt factored in remote working or home-working as part of your solution.

It won’t be right for all sectors of course or even for all parts of a single business but it makes sense to consider how a shift to remote working might help you manage some of the health risks and productivity risks that are coming down the road.

If you decide that remote working may be a feasible option, here are some specifics to think about –

• How well do your existing policies and IT facilities align with this new requirement?

• Is your Acceptable Use Policy on message?

• How sure are you that you will still be able to meet your data protection obligations?

• Are your laptops encrypted?

• Is the security software patching up-to-date?

• Do your staff understand the privacy and security risks of café working?

• What rules are in place to protect the physical (as well as the technical) security of both business and personal information?

• Do you have cyber security insurance in place?

• Might it be worth obtaining independent verification of your cybersecurity set-up such as HM Government’s Cyber Essentials or IASME Governance Standard?

Sensible adjustments to your policies and working practices may prove to be a cost effective measure. Who knows, perhaps we will discover that remote working is nothing for managers to be scared of. It might even become the norm.

Let’s watch this space!

This briefing is for guidance purposes only and is not legal advice. You should always obtain legal advice on your specific circumstances.