Remote Users as Technology Guinea Pigs

Most companies are faced with an increasingly mobile and remote work force. There are a variety of strategic and tactical advantages to a work force on-the-go, but wandering users also increase exposure to risk and introduce unique security challenges.

Organizations have a number of factors to consider to secure remote users. The up side is that the remote work force also provides a win-win for deploying cutting edge technologies. It is a win for the organization because the remote users provide a sort of de facto pilot testing group allowing IT administrators to try out new tools and technologies to determine what works best. It is a win for the remote users because the new tools and technologies enable them to work more efficiently and be more productive.

Windows 7 is a prime example of a platform that organizations may want to test out with a pilot group before a full deployment, and which remote users in particular can benefit from as early adopters. Windows 7, and the built-in Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) Web browser, are significantly more secure than a Windows XP system with IE6 or IE7, while also providing tools to help users work more efficiently.