Posted on Tue, May 15, 2012 @ 11:45 AM
Advances in technology make it possible for workers to leave behind the traditional office and still get their work done.
With laptops, smartphones and tablets, becoming ever-present, there is no need for workers to have a fixed work space. Instead, they are able to easily change the location, depending on their work requirements.
Where can you work, if not in the office?
Anywhere that has a Wi-Fi connection can normally be used for working. This includes trains, cafes, and also an employee’s home. However, some organisations are taking a more structured approach to mobile working by using ‘third spaces’ to bridge the gap between home and office workers.
'Third Spaces' are temporary office spaces or workhubs, which support employees who work outside a traditional office. Unlike cafes or any other space open to the public, they offer a focused and professional environment, without external distractions. Plus, as they are normally rented on a need-to-use basis, they can help organisations decrease their permanent office space.
Why use ‘third spaces’ to work?
For those using ‘third places’, instead of a traditional office, they can provide a convenient central meeting point for people based in separate offices, increasing productivity by decreasing travel time. They also make it easier to manage connectivity, so mobile employees can keep in touch with those still working in the office. On top of this, they are an option being considered by many employers planning on using mobile working solutions for London 2012, to counter the expected disruption.
What considerations need to be made for working outside the office?
Before organisations can benefit from deploying workers outside the office, they need to plan for the potential issues that can arise from mobile working. As one of the biggest problems for mobile working staff is theft or loss of portable devices, organisations need to take measures to prevent this from happening. Physical security, such as ClickSafe Laptop Locks and BungeeAir Wireless Tethers, provides protection for devices without inhibiting them for flexible working.
For actionable ideas to support employees working outside the office - in third spaces or elsewhere - download our free guide to mobile working security
Posted on Wed, May 09, 2012 @ 12:26 PM
With the average UK worker spending 4 years of their life commuting to work and occupancy of traditional office space at only 45%, it is no surprise that more employers are considering flexible working solutions.
Technological advances and lifestyle changes have seen an increase in the number of flexible working options available. This is likely to be a growing trend, particular in the lead up to the Olympics, with 93% of company directors at UK SMEs believing that flexible working is set to grow. For anyone looking to implement a flexible working scheme, here are some of the popular schemes currently in practice.
#1 Flexible Time (Flexi-Time)
While employees have set hours to work, under this scheme there is no set start or finish time to their working day. Employees still usually work in the office. But, flexi-time means employees are able to adjust their working pattern to suit their lifestyle
#2 Compressed Working Weeks
Instead of working a standard five day week, employees working a compressed week have the option to work their set hours over fewer days. For example, they could work the full hours of one week over four days.
#3 Jobsharing
Instead of one dedicated employee for a role, use two or more people to share the responsibilities of a task. This is a specific type of part-time working, but it is a reasonable solution for any organisation looking meet the needs of supporting part-time employees and ensuring all roles are fully staffed.
#4 Working from home
Instead of having to go into the office every day, this flexible working option means employees can work from their home instead. This could mean anything from an employee working 1 or 2 days a week at home, right through to an employee working the majority of the time from home and only going into the office for key meetings.
#5 Mobile Working
Similar to working from home, this option allows employees to use public places, such as cafes or libraries places to do work instead of a fixed desk. Introducing a mobile working scheme means employees will also be able to work while at an event or travelling. It's important to make sure that mobile workers have proper support and productivity tools to get the most out of working on the move.
#6 Working as virtual teams
Using technological advances means meetings no longer have to happen face-to-face. The advantage of this solution is that it saves time and travel expenses of a face-to-face meeting. Instead, employees use virtual meeting places to collaborate on work projects.
#7 Sharing office space
If it is not essential for employees to have a permanent desk, then look to introduce sharing scheme. Employees can then move around the office space more easily, working in the areas that suit their current project.
As introducing flexible working options can bring about notable benefits for businesses, it is clear to see why more organisation than ever are considering introducing one or more of the schemes listed and embracing a new way of working.
If you're looking at flexible working options for your organisation, why not share your 3 biggest challenges/concerns in the comments box below?
Posted on Thu, May 03, 2012 @ 08:43 AM
Data breach, which leads to sensitive data being exposed, is a concern for any organisation. Yet, one of the biggest threats to security can come from insiders, even if they do not intend to cause harm.
Non-malicious insider threats can come from people who work either for or with an organisation and have legitimate access to data. Yet, as a result of an accident, such as device theft or loss, their actions can lead to a serious data breach.
How serious is the threat from non-malicious insiders?
According to a Data Breach Investigation Report from Verizon, 48% of all data breaches are caused by insiders. This is a staggering figure, indicating it is not enough for organisations to focus just on external threats to data security.
Ignoring the insider threat is the same as ignoring nearly half of the potential risks to your sensitive data. It is also important to note that nearly three times as many insider breaches are accidental, with no malicious intentions behind them. In fact, 60% of all devices lost are simply misplaced by their owner. There is no underlying motive driving their actions.
Why insider threats are a problem?
Insider threats, much like any potential risks to data security, leave sensitive data exposed and can result in serious data breaches. Regardless of whether a data loss incident was accidental or intentional, it will still have damaging effects for any organisation involved.
By not addressing the risks to data security posed by non-malicious insiders, organisations are leaving themselves and their data exposed. Particularly with more businesses than ever taking advantage of mobile working benefits, it seems likely that opportunities for employees to leave devices behind or have them stolen will only increase.
What can organisations do to limit the threat?
The main difficulty for businesses is that any data breaches caused by non-malicious insiders are clearly unintentional. Therefore, plans have to be implemented for addressing accidents and mistakes, such as people forgetting or misplacing their devices.
First of all, CERT recently released advice aimed at reducing the data breach risk from insiders. Secondly, using physical security solutions can help provide the answer to this problem.
By providing a method to prevent loss, organisations can reduce the impact of insider threats. For example using BungeeAir alert the user if their iPhone has been left behind because the wireless tether connecting the iPhone with the key fob will break, preventing the device from being accidentally misplaced or stolen.
Find out more ways you can protect yourself and your orgnisation from the risks of non-malicious insiders by downloading our free guide on endpoint security now
Posted on Thu, Apr 26, 2012 @ 01:22 AM
Making a brilliant presentation is the result of many factors. Content, impact and engagement are all crucial but so is making sure you don't lose your place and flow. Among a number of iPad presentation apps designed to sharpen your impact at meetings and events is Teleprompter+. Read on to find out just how Teleprompter+ can improve your iPad presentation performance. Or, alternatively, download 7 Ways to Maximise Your iPad Productivity for even more ideas to optimise your mobile working.
What is Teleprompter+?
It is a productivity app for your iPad, which will turn it into a fully functional teleprompter. You’ll never again have to carry around a bulky teleprompter and you’ll save yourself the expense of some pricey equipment. It is a practical and efficient mobile working solution.
How does it work?
Teleprompter+ is very simple to use iPad presentation app. Just drop your text from Dropbox or Google Docs and you’re ready to go. It will even allow you to alter the playback speed to suit your timeframe and take control of your presentation delivery. This is great for ensuring you finish promptly and for getting your pacing just right.
What else can do for you?
Teleprompter+ comes with some other useful features that will really improve your presentations:
- Use it with a wireless presenter remote. This means you can pause your presentation, answer questions and stay in control without ever having to go to your iPad.
- Ensure your performance is smooth with the highlight feature. This will show you exactly where you are in the presentation. If you happen to lose your thread looking out at the crowd, you’ll easily find your place again.
- Find out exactly what your audience thought. You can record the crowd using the iPad’s rear camera and see just how they reacted to your presentation.
Comment below and let us know any other great iPad presentation apps. If you want to learn more about iPad apps to improve you mobile working and productivity, the download our free guide now.
Posted on Thu, Apr 19, 2012 @ 10:03 AM
Mobile working offers you freedom from the office and a more flexible working pattern. Sometimes, though, this means you end up working in places that just weren’t designed with comfort in mind. Not only does this impinge on your productivity, it can also impact on your health. Thinking about optimal iPad ergonomics will mean you get the best possible results from your portable device.
Ergonomics are important for productive working
It makes sense that if you’re comfortable, then you’re going to perform better at work. Setting yourself up for working effectively outside the office means you can take advantage of all the possibilities that mobile working can offer. With conditions like iPad neck becoming increasingly common, it has never been more important to consider ergonomics.
The cost of poor ergonomics
As well as proving to be a distraction while trying to work, poor ergonomics can lead to health issues, such as Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). In 2004, 4.7 million day and £20 billion were lost by UK businesses to RSI. It is an expensive problem, but one that simple measures and precautions can help to prevent.
10 handy iPad ergonomics tips:
- Ensure you’re sat in a comfortable, ‘neutral’ position
- Use the iPad’s portability to your advantage and change your position regularly
- Adjust the contrast and brightness of your screen, so they compliment your surroundings
- Alter the size of the text and make sure you’re not squinting to read your screen
- Keep your iPad in a straight sight line, so you do not have to crane your neck
- Keep your forearms at a 90º angle to your iPad
- Sit with your head facing forward, so your shoulders are not hunched
- If you’re feeling any muscle strain, alter your position
- Have regular breaks, ideally at least once an hour
- Invest in a separate iPad keyboard and iPad stand, so you can achieve the optimum ergonomic position
Now you have your iPad ergonomics sorted, discover more great ideas to maximise your iPad productivity with our free whitepaper:
Posted on Thu, Apr 19, 2012 @ 09:56 AM
Traditional IT security relies on protecting devices through a combination of physical and network security. Yet, with more of us than ever working outside the office, businesses face new challenges to secure their IT systems effectively.
On the move and with no fixed location, managing physical security and preventing devices from being lost or stolen is more difficult.
What do companies tend to do?
Internationally, governments and businesses spend over $3.4 trillion on IT security. Most of this is goes on firewalls, anti-virus and intrusion prevention, with the primary focus on securing IT systems in the workplace from external threats. While this is all important, it does not address the question of securing employees who are working outside the office.
As mobile working devices are targeted by thieves, companies with a flexible workforce need to implement systems to ensure their employees are not inadvertently placing them at risk.
Why is a mobile workforce a problem for securing IT systems?
Employees away at a conference, trade event or just working in a coffee shop are not going to be protected by the IT security offered by their office. In effect, they are outside the company net, which is designed to protect their devices and keep them secure. In particular, their laptops, iPads and smartphones are vulnerable to theft and loss. As the main cause behind data breaches is theft and loss, this should be a concern for any business. Companies, who are not extending their physical security beyond the office walls, are in fact increasing the likelihood of a major data breach.
What can be done to protect the mobile workforce?
Having a strategy for securing portable devices, while they’re out the workplace, has to be part of any mobile working plan. It will help to mitigate the risk of a data breach by protecting against theft and loss.
Discover more actionable ideas on securing IT systems for your mobile workforce by downloading our free guide today
Posted on Thu, Apr 12, 2012 @ 07:30 AM
There are some real benefits to be had from supporting mobile working benefits in your organisation. However, despite providing many advantages, mobile working also creates different pressures for organisations.
With a flexible workforce relying on portable devices - laptops, iPads and smartphones - to work away from their desk, companies need to ensure these devices remain secure. Not only is this important to prevent theft and loss, it is essential to comply with data protection responsibilities.
What are the data protection requirements for physical devices?
Data protection, the legal requirement that all companies are subject to, means that organisations have a responsibility to protect any personal data they hold. Just as companies have a responsibility for the security of the sensitive data itself, they must also protect any devices which are used to store sensitive data.
In a traditional office setting, where devices usually remain on an employee’s desk, it is easier - but still a challenge - for companies to manage physical security. But, with increasing numbers of employees choosing to work away from the office, organisations need to re-evaluate the security in place for devices containing sensitive data. They need security solutions that match the demands of iPad working, to ensure they are not at risk of breaking data protection laws.
Why do companies need to maintain physical security?
A Scottish lawyer was reprimanded by the Information Commissioner after a laptop, containing sensitive client information, was stolen from her house. Due to the information stored on the laptop, data protection requirements applied to the device itself. The ICO took the view that this laptop had been insufficiently protected and, as such, was a breach of the Data Protection Act. This example highlights that, even in cases where there is not malicious intent, organisations are still responsible for securing sensitive data stored on devices used for work.
How can you protect your organisation?
Knowing that data protection requirements apply to all devices storing sensitive data, companies need to implement physical security plan to ensure these devices are not at risk of theft or loss. It is particularly important, given the increased growth of flexible working, to consider how to implement these plans for devices being used outside of the office. Security devices, such as ClickSafe Laptop Lock, SecureBack iPad case and BungeeAir iPhone anti-theft device protect your device and keep them safe from theft and loss.
Discover the practical ways you can protect your organisation and boost your data protection policies by downloading our free guide now
Posted on Wed, Apr 04, 2012 @ 06:10 AM
The iPad, as a mobile working solution, has revolutionised the way events are organised and managed. With new technology and solutions emerging all the time, it’s easy to see why event professionals are turning to iPads to assist with their events.
What is the iPad mobile box office?
The recently released At The Door app and reader from Eventbrite is just one of the new and exciting ways to enhance events, exhibitions and conferences with your iPad.
At The Door, is a card reader and app combination, turning an iPad into a fully functioning mobile box office. For those working at events, it means on-site sales of tickets and merchandise is now easier and more convenient. The obvious weight and size advantage of using an iPad makes the device is easily portable, ideal for transporting at an event.
What else can At The Door do?
With the ability to process 400 plus transactions per hour, you can optimise your checkout flow at a busy event. The card reader is attached to the iPad through the 30-pin connection, rather than the headphone jack. This means the reader takes a reliable swipe each time it’s used and removes the need for multiple swipes. The reader also encrypts the card data, ensuring it is fully protected. Additionally, through wireless integration, you can print tickets and customer receipts.
What does this mean for iPads at events?
Innovations, such as At The Door, demonstrate the increasing possibilities on offer for iPad users in the events industry.
The mobile working benefits of IPad and other mobile devices are delivering flexible options for event professionals and increasing employee productivity. As more apps tailored for events are developed, it seems inevitable that iPads will become increasinly essential for anyone working in the profession.
[Image credit: chipchick.com]
Posted on Fri, Mar 30, 2012 @ 04:23 AM
London 2012 offers an excellent opportunity for businesses. The Olympics have the potential to increase growth and productivity for business not just in London, but across the UK. Yet, to be best positioned to benefit from the games, organisations need to plan ahead. Making the necessary preparations now will mean businesses are ready to face the Olympics with confidence.
Commuters face longer travel times
During the games, an estimated 5.5 million visitors will arrive in London. As a result of this, it is expected that the capital’s transport systems will become severely congested and Transport for London is providing tools to help people navigate around the congestion blackspots - Get Ahead Of The Games.
Some people are predicting that several hours being added to the average commute. Clearly the extra journey times will prove costly and wasteful to businesses. Therefore, organisations are looking for ways to limit this disruption this will inevitably cause.
Growth of mobile working solutions
The growing trend for mobile working looks as if it will have a further boost in the lead up to London 2012. In a survey of London-based employers, 45% answered that they plan to offer their employees increased opportunities for flexible working during the games.
This will allow employees to enjoy the games around their work schedule. On top of this, 41% of London managers intend to allow employees to work at home while the Olympics are on, so they can avoid any travel delays. Overall, the Olympics offer an excellent opportunity for business to trial the benefits of mobile working.
Protect the physical security of your devices while working out the office
Mobile working solutions are an excellent way to avoid the disruption that the Olympics will cause. It can, however, create a new set of problems. With the majority of data breaches occurring from loss or theft of mobile working devices, organisations also need to consider how they will manage this.
Businesses should encourage all mobile working employees to use physical security devices. They reduce the incidents of theft and work as a visual deterrent. Making these preparations before the games arrive will mean businesses can be assured they have everything in place to benefit from the opportunities the Olympics present.
Discover more ideas to prepare your organisation for the mobile working challenges before London 2012 and download our free guide to mobile working and endpoint security.
Posted on Thu, Mar 29, 2012 @ 09:15 AM
There has been an upsurge of burglary and domestic theft claims in the UK. Personal insurance claims have climbed to £415 million, with households making 5,000 more burglary claims in 2011 compared to 2010. The increase of portable electronic devices, particularly iPads and laptops, is one of the key reasons behind this rise in theft.
Mobile working leaves you exposed to iPad theft
Your iPad, laptop and other mobile working devices give you the freedom and flexibility to work as and when you choose. Yet, working outside of the office leaves you more exposed to theft. iPads are frequently stolen because of their re-sale value for thieves.
Working away from your desk offers more opportunities for thieves to target you and your device. However, losing your iPad or laptop to theft is clearly detrimental to your productivity and can also have wider consequences for your organisation.
Theft can lead to data breach
Just last month, Irish telecoms company eircom disclosed a serious data breach, which involved three stolen laptops. One of the laptops in question was taken from an employee’s house. In this case, not only would the employee have lost their essential laptop, but the theft led to a serious data breach. With theft and loss of mobile working devices the single biggest cause of data breach, it is a problem that organisations cannot afford to overlook.
Protect yourself from iPad theft
Firstly, the advice from insures is to check that your policies cover mobile working devices, particularly if they’ve been recently purchased. Secondly, to ensure your personal equipment is protected, invest in physical security devices.
A Kensington SecureBack iPad security case prevents your iPad becoming damaged and it comes with a ClickSafe Lock anchor already built-in, meaning you can secure your iPad against theft.
See how you can prevent iPad theft and protect your mobile working devices by downloading our free guide