Over the decades, on-site IT infrastructures have given way to distributed, cloud-based systems. This approach is nimble, and accessible, and has helped to revolutionize the way companies work. This has also helped to
- Improve scalability, availability, and efficiency
- Save on costs and overhead
- Increase productivity and flexibility
- Overall resiliency can reduce the risk of downtime, disruption, and failures
The companies successfully reaching digital maturity right now aren’t just reinventing their tech stacks—they’re reinventing how work gets done. The message is clear: Distributed in the future, and remote is the way.
So, how can you make sure your IT infrastructure is sound, stable, and ready to support you as you go remote? If you’re on the path to modernization with AI, automation, cloud-based services, and remote talent, here are some things to know.
Join this webinar with Upwork and Citrix to learn more about ensuring your IT infrastructure can support a remote workforce at scale, and how to mitigate common security concerns.
The Goal: Remote infrastructure management (RIM)
The end goal for RIM is the ability to manage IT infrastructures from anywhere—a benefit that’s especially tangible during crisis-related shutdowns like the COVID-19 pandemic. When buildings and on-site hardware are suddenly inaccessible, companies and IT departments are having to quickly adopt new practices and tools to support virtual, remote work.
Long-term, RIM should be holistic and scalable to support operations today and into the future. Because, today’s crash course aside, remote work truly is the new normal.
Here’s a look at how to start considering what you’ll need to set up a remote IT infrastructure and what to do to minimize disruptions as you navigate the effects of the current pandemic.
1. Map out your existing components, vendors, software, hardware, and services.
Start by listing out all of the mission-critical, organization-wide components. Then, list out service contracts and vendors on a team-by-team basis. We’ve included a list of examples you might have within your organization in the table below.
One thing to address as soon as possible is if and how you’ll provision hardware to workers suddenly unable to access workstations in the office. For example, who will be assigned laptops? How will you acquire hardware for remote workers?
2. Identify what can be virtualized or managed remotely, and what you’ll need to support going remote.
What of the above can be carried over or adapted to remote work? And what cannot? This will help you identify opportunities to upgrade with new solutions such as laptops for remote workers, third-party integrations, or virtual servers. Consider what each team or role needs to support their primary functions. What of those tasks or functions can be translated to remote?
Tip: This may be a good time to implement an AI and automation strategy. As you’re identifying ways to optimize for remote work, you may also find ways AI and automation can support and streamline roles and tasks. Download the free ebook to learn more.
3. Ensure your internal IT team has a business continuity plan.
In the event of an office closure, how will company equipment be distributed to your IT team to keep operations running? Where will you store the equipment? Do any IT services require a backup plan?
You’ll also want to address any limitations that office closures may have on your IT team’s ability to provide typical services. Will there be technical delivery delays, or will the team still be able to provide the same level of service? At the outset, be transparent with the organization in terms of IT timelines and expectations.
4. How will new systems change talent requirements?
The changes you adopt may have implications on certain teams or the talent you need to get up and running. For example, you might adopt a more DevOps-focused mindset, automate certain processes, or engage remote IT talent to monitor and optimize your new instances and platforms.
5. Be proactive about security.
Create a security framework from the ground up—called a “defense in depth” strategy. For remote IT infrastructures, a common best practice is to implement an identity and access management (IAM) system, which can support processes, policies, and technologies that facilitate secure remote work. These can include sign-on systems, multi-factor authentication, and privileged access management, which is helpful when working with more sensitive data and information.
Also, limit permissions to the bare minimum needed. This is an excellent rule of thumb across all areas of security—the less access, the better.
Tip: Get tips and best practices for secure remote work in this article.
6. Run a vulnerability assessment of remote access to any of the tools/functions
While remote IT components and cloud-based services have freed us from many constraints, these benefits come with increased complexity, vulnerabilities, and risks that need to be mitigated with a tailored security strategy. Plan for plenty of testing and vulnerability assessments to minimize gaps and security attack surface areas.
Checklist: The components & functions of IT infrastructures
An IT infrastructure can include everything from servers and data storage to the processes, policies, and services behind staffing, training, and security. Map out what your infrastructure looks like from a 35,000-ft view by checking off the components below that apply to you:
Hardware
Workstations, devices (laptops, desktops, tablets)
Internal software
Enterprise and business software or applications. Internal productivity platforms like Google Analytics, Gmail, and Docs; social media management, or tools like content management systems, project management boards, etc. (e.g. Zapier, WordPress, Trello, HootSuite)
External software
Customer-facing websites, web and mobile applications, ecommerce stores, portals, etc.
Servers
On-site, cloud, or virtual servers (e.g. AWS, Docker, Kubernetes)
Data
Cloud-based data storage, analytics, streaming, processing, backup, and encryption (e.g., Hadoop)
Communications
Network and telecommunications such as email, phone, and messaging systems (Slack, Zoom, MSFT Teams)
Network applications
Microservices, mobile and web backend infrastructures, APIs, or monitoring systems.
IT & data security measures
Identity and access management (IAM) system, encryption, firewalls, multi-factor authentication, VPN, etc.
Automation platforms
Where AI and automation can support functions and roles
Development resources
Test automation platforms, event and bug tracking, code versioning, and continuous integration tools (e.g. Jenkins, Ansible)
HR & Hiring
Talent clouds, freelancer management system (FMS), payroll, etc.
Customer support
Remote customer service or virtual help desks
Draw up a bird’s eye view of how those interplay with one another. How is each coupled, dependent, or interrelated? What will need to be updated or integrated as a result of any changes you make?
Getting started & next steps
Digital transformation through cloud-based systems and remote work is critical to staying resilient in uncertain times, but it’s also the key to competitive advantage. By upgrading your systems, you’ll be able to support and scale a new way of work.
Consult with an IT expert on best practices for a secure remote workforce. If necessary, consider who you’ll need to help with any migrations and integrations. Be sure to plan for any cloud transition challenges before migration, and consider diverse security measures every step of the way.
