Hybrid work - staff splitting time between the office and home - has become the default arrangement for many Perth professional services businesses. Getting the IT right is the difference between a seamless experience and a daily frustration of dropped connections, inaccessible files, and security exposures.
The Core Challenge of Hybrid IT
Traditional office IT was simple: everything was in one building on one network. Hybrid work breaks that assumption. Staff are now connecting from home networks, personal hotspots, cafes, and client sites - each with different security characteristics. The IT infrastructure needs to work reliably from all of them without creating security holes.
The businesses that struggle with hybrid IT typically have one of these problems:
- Files still stored on local servers that can only be accessed via slow VPN
- No VPN at all - staff working around it by emailing files to personal accounts
- Security controls that only apply to office devices, leaving home devices unmanaged
- Phone systems that only work in the office
- Video conferencing setups that work poorly in meeting rooms
Cloud-First File Storage
If your files live on an on-premise server, hybrid work will always be a compromise. Moving to cloud-based file storage - Microsoft SharePoint and OneDrive for Microsoft 365 businesses - means your files are accessible from anywhere, on any device, without a VPN connection.
With SharePoint:
- Files sync locally for fast access and work offline automatically
- Real-time co-authoring means multiple staff can work on the same document simultaneously
- Version history prevents data loss from accidental overwrites
- Access is controlled at the folder and file level, not by network location
If you're still running a file server in your office, migrating to SharePoint is the single biggest infrastructure change that improves hybrid work productivity.
VPN - When You Still Need It
If your business uses on-premise applications - accounting software running on a local server, a practice management system, or legacy line-of-business software - you may still need VPN access for remote staff.
VPN best practices for hybrid work:
- Use split-tunnel VPN so only traffic destined for your office network goes through the VPN, not all internet traffic (which slows everything down)
- Enforce MFA on VPN connections - a VPN without MFA is a single-password entry point to your whole network
- Use a business-grade VPN solution, not consumer products
- Audit who has VPN access and remove stale accounts for former staff
Device Management for Remote Staff
When staff work from home, their laptops leave your network - and your traditional security controls. Microsoft Intune (included with Microsoft 365 Business Premium) allows you to manage devices regardless of where they are:
- Enforce encryption, screen lock, and PIN requirements on all managed devices
- Push software updates and security policies remotely
- Remotely wipe a device that is lost or stolen
- Ensure endpoint protection is active and up to date on all devices
- Block access to company resources from unmanaged personal devices
For businesses where staff work from personal devices, a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy and mobile application management (MAM) lets you protect company data on personal phones and laptops without managing the whole device.
Communication and Collaboration Tools
Microsoft Teams is the backbone of hybrid communication for most Perth businesses using Microsoft 365:
- Presence indicators show who is online, in a meeting, or away - replacing the visual cue of seeing colleagues at their desks
- Channel-based communication keeps project conversations organised and searchable, replacing scattered email threads
- Teams Rooms for meeting rooms ensures remote participants have an equal meeting experience - dedicated room hardware with proper camera, microphone, and display
- Teams Phone replaces traditional desk phones with softphones that work on laptop, mobile, or desk handset - staff can take and make business calls from anywhere
Home Office Setup Standards
The quality of a home office setup directly affects productivity. Businesses that invest in proper home setups see fewer IT support calls and better staff wellbeing. A business-standard home setup includes:
- A managed business laptop - not a personal computer with work files on it
- A wired internet connection or reliable NBN plan - WiFi-only can be unstable for video calls
- A USB-C hub or docking station - allowing a second monitor, wired ethernet, and peripherals
- A headset with noise cancellation - essential for Teams calls in a household environment
- A webcam - if the laptop camera is poor quality
Security Considerations for Hybrid Work
Hybrid work expands your attack surface. Key controls:
- MFA on everything - every cloud application, email, and VPN connection
- Conditional Access - block access from non-compliant or unmanaged devices
- Endpoint protection on all devices - not just office machines
- Staff awareness - home networks are less secure; staff should know not to leave sensitive screens visible or use public WiFi without VPN
- Backup coverage - confirm that data created or modified on remote devices is covered by your backup policy
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we still need a VPN if we've moved everything to SharePoint and OneDrive?
Often not for file access, since cloud-based storage removes the need for a VPN connection just to reach documents. You'll still likely need one if you run on-premise applications, like a local accounting system or legacy line-of-business software, that hasn't moved to the cloud.
How do we keep home devices secure when we can't physically see them?
Device management tools like Microsoft Intune let you enforce security policies, such as encryption and screen lock, push updates, and even remotely wipe a lost or stolen device, regardless of where it's located. Combined with MFA and conditional access rules that block unmanaged devices, this closes most of the gap between office and home security.
Is a wired internet connection really necessary for staff working from home?
It makes a noticeable difference for anyone regularly on video calls. WiFi-only connections can be unstable enough to cause dropped calls and lag, so a wired ethernet connection or a reliable dedicated setup tends to reduce support calls and frustration significantly.
What's the biggest security gap businesses miss when they go hybrid?
Security controls that only apply to office devices while home devices go unmanaged. It's an easy thing to overlook because it doesn't cause an obvious problem day to day, but it quietly expands your attack surface until something forces the issue.
We help Perth businesses set up Microsoft 365, Intune, and Teams to support hybrid work properly - secure, reliable, and easy for staff to use.
Microsoft 365 Services →Is your hybrid work setup working properly?
Call 0433 087 091 - we'll review your current setup and recommend the right infrastructure to support your hybrid team securely and productively.
Book a Free AssessmentFor related reading, see our guides to Remote Work IT Setup for Perth Businesses and SaaS Management for Perth Businesses.