When your team works remotely, one important question is whether they should use only company-issued devices or if personal devices are acceptable. Using company-provided laptops, tablets, or phones means your IT team can control security settings, software updates, and data protection more effectively. In contrast, personal devices vary widely in security and may expose your business to cyber risks.
Why this matters for Australian SMBs
Small and mid-sized businesses in Australia often face tight budgets and limited IT resources, so managing cybersecurity risks is critical. If remote workers use personal devices that lack proper security controls, your business could face data breaches, ransomware attacks, or accidental data loss. These incidents lead to costly downtime, harm customer trust, and may trigger compliance issues, especially when handling sensitive customer or employee information.
A practical example
Consider a 50-person Australian consulting firm with half its staff working remotely. Initially, staff used their own laptops, which varied from up-to-date machines to older models without antivirus software. One employee's device was infected with malware, which spread through the company network, causing a week-long outage and forcing costly data recovery. After this, the firm partnered with an IT provider to issue standard company laptops with enforced security policies, reducing risks and improving productivity.
Checklist: What to do about remote device management
- Ask your IT provider: Do they support issuing and managing company devices remotely? What security controls (e.g., encryption, antivirus, patching) are enforced?
- Review policies: Does your business have a clear remote work device policy that defines acceptable use, security requirements, and incident reporting?
- Check access controls: Are company systems configured to restrict access from unmanaged or unknown devices?
- Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA): Ensure remote access requires MFA to reduce risk if devices are compromised.
- Regular backups: Confirm that data on remote devices is backed up securely and regularly.
- Employee training: Provide ongoing cybersecurity awareness training focused on remote work risks.
Using company-issued devices for remote work is a practical step to reduce cybersecurity risks and protect your business operations. Discuss your specific needs with a trusted managed IT provider or IT advisor who understands Australian SMB challenges. They can help you develop a device management strategy that balances security, usability, and cost.