Remote Work Won
The debate is over. In 2026:
- **73% of knowledge workers** work remotely at least part-time
- **48% of companies** have no physical headquarters
- **65% of job seekers** won't accept fully on-site roles
The question isn't whether to support remote work—it's how to do it right.
The Remote IT Stack
After optimizing infrastructure for 150+ distributed companies, here's our recommended technology stack:
Identity & Access (Foundation)
Azure AD / Entra ID
- Single sign-on for all applications
- Conditional access policies
- Self-service password reset
- Guest access management
Why it matters: Without centralized identity, remote workers juggle dozens of passwords and you have no visibility into access.
Device Management
Microsoft Intune / Jamf
- Zero-touch deployment
- Policy enforcement
- Application management
- Remote wipe capability
Configuration we recommend:
- Require device encryption
- Enforce screen lock
- Block personal cloud storage
- Auto-update applications
Secure Connectivity
Option 1: ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access)
Modern approach—no VPN needed:
- Zscaler Private Access
- Cloudflare Access
- Palo Alto Prisma
Option 2: Cloud VPN
Traditional but effective:
- WireGuard-based solutions
- Split tunneling for performance
- Always-on for managed devices
Our recommendation: ZTNA for new deployments, enhanced VPN for existing infrastructure.
Communication & Collaboration
Core Platform: Microsoft Teams or Google Workspace
Both provide:
- Chat and messaging
- Video conferencing
- File sharing
- Integrated apps
We recommend Microsoft Teams because:
- Better integration with enterprise apps
- Superior meeting quality
- Copilot AI integration
- Stronger compliance features
Cloud Infrastructure
Primary: M365 + Azure or Google Workspace + GCP
For most remote-first companies:
- Email and calendar in the cloud
- Files in SharePoint/OneDrive or Google Drive
- Line-of-business apps in Azure/GCP
- Backup to immutable cloud storage
Security Stack
Essential tools:
- **EDR (Endpoint Detection)**
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- CrowdStrike Falcon
- SentinelOne
- **Email Security**
- Proofpoint
- Mimecast
- Microsoft Defender for Office 365
- **CASB (Cloud Access Security)**
- Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps
- Netskope
- Lookout
Monitoring & Support
Remote support tools:
- ConnectWise ScreenConnect
- TeamViewer
- Microsoft Quick Assist
Monitoring:
- Device health dashboards
- Application performance tracking
- Security alert aggregation
Implementation Priority
Immediate (Week 1-2)
- Enforce MFA on all accounts
- Deploy endpoint protection
- Enable conditional access
Short-term (Month 1-2)
- Roll out device management
- Implement email security
- Set up remote support tools
Medium-term (Month 3-6)
- ZTNA or VPN hardening
- Cloud backup implementation
- Security awareness training
Long-term (Month 6+)
- SASE/SSE architecture
- Zero Trust maturity
- AI-powered security
Remote Work IT Checklist
Use this to assess your current state:
Identity & Access
- [ ] MFA enabled for all users
- [ ] SSO for all applications
- [ ] Conditional access policies active
- [ ] Guest access governed
Devices
- [ ] All devices enrolled in management
- [ ] Encryption enforced
- [ ] Auto-updates enabled
- [ ] EDR deployed
Connectivity
- [ ] Secure remote access solution
- [ ] Split tunneling (if VPN)
- [ ] Performance monitoring
Collaboration
- [ ] Modern platform deployed
- [ ] Governance policies set
- [ ] External sharing controlled
Security
- [ ] Email filtering active
- [ ] Data loss prevention configured
- [ ] Regular security training
- [ ] Incident response plan
Free Remote IT Assessment
Not sure where you stand? We offer a free assessment:
- 60-minute video consultation
- Environment review
- Gap analysis
- Prioritized recommendations