Soft Computers
Remote Work Won
The debate is over. In 2026:
- Remote and hybrid work is normal for most knowledge workers
- A growing share of companies operate with no physical headquarters
- Many job seekers now rule out fully on-site roles
The question isn't whether to support remote work, it's how to do it right.
The Remote IT Stack
From optimizing infrastructure for distributed teams, here's the technology stack we recommend:
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