As the progress of the pandemic continues to be uncertain and unpredictable, the only thing most organisations can do is to rpepare for the worst and be able to cope with anything shorty of that. For a fai;y detailed look at what you need to be doing this article from Netforce is worth a check.

The role of IT in pandemic planning is largely delivering remote access to your systems & maintaining communications with staff and customers. Throughout this issue of the Netforce Guide we focus on the different technologies which deliver your staff access to your network when they are at home, on the move, or working from a remote location, whilst maintaining the security and integrity of the network.

Test, test & test again
Many companies will rely on employees working from home in the event of a flu outbreak. However, their remote access systems may not be ready for so many employees using them at the same time. Experts recommend a trial run, where you allow a significant number of your staff to work from home for a day and then see how well your systems and applications function. You may need to buy more ports, licenses or cards for your remote access systems.

High Availability
Make sure you have multiple access mechanisms and methods of access to connect to head office data. This could be as simple as being able to offer teleworkers SSL as well as IPSec VPN clients. Make sure key employees have broadband access from home as well as mobile broadband access. Mobile 3G data access is a good solution in a worst case scenario, since people may not be working from home. They may be leaving the area for health or safety reasons, and they may need to take their laptops with them. 3G network access as well as traditional DSL or cable access is another high availability, load balancing tactic.

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