Worldwide, 1 in 3 full-time employees are working fully remote or in a hybrid setup, according to the report Working from Home Around the Globe. In Australia, 41% of employees today work from home to some extent.  

Statistics compiled by Forbes Advisor point to a continuous shift to some form of remote work arrangement. The bottom line: Remote work and virtual teams are here to stay. 

This is why IT innovations like cloud communication and virtual collaboration tools are now in wide use. Organisations need the most effective and safest methods to work together across physical distances. 

Read on or click ahead to any of the sections below: 

Why Effective and Safe Online Collaboration is Important 

Collaboration is the cornerstone of any successful businesses today. Because collaboration fosters innovation, boosts productivity, and enhances problem-solving, collaboration tools have become essential. They empower teams to work together seamlessly, regardless of location.  

These tools enable real-time communication, streamline workflows, and ultimately drive business growth. However, you must ensure the tools you use are safe enough so your business data stays protected. With the right strategies and tools, employees can effectively work together while safeguarding their information – that leads to a more productive and secure digital workspace. 

The Power of Collaboration via Teams Calling

With the increasing need for secure and efficient communication tools, one that has revolutionised the way businesses communicate is Microsoft Teams Calling. It enhances collaboration and productivity among remote teams and ensures the protection of valuable information from potential threats as it benefits from Microsoft’s heavy focus on security. 

Teams Calling is a cloud-based phone system used by over 320 million users worldwide. It is an add-on service to Microsoft 365 that allows you to use secure voice over internet protocol (VoIP) calling functionality.  

There are loads of communication and collaboration tools in the market, but Teams Calling is unique in its integration with other Microsoft apps. This means you can schedule a Teams meeting from Outlook, collaborate on a Word document in real-time, or share a PowerPoint presentation during a call.  

This level of integration streamlines processes, reduces the need for switching between apps, and ultimately allows teams to work more efficiently. As a unified communication solution for virtual teams, it includes features like chat, video meetings, and file sharing. These make it easy for teams to stay connected, regardless of their location. 

How To Chat and Make Calls in Teams 

Watch this video to learn how to start chats and make audio or video calls, either one-on-one or as a group: 

Keep It Safe: Cyber Security in Teams Calling

An equally important feature to look for in any app is security. How does Teams Calling ensure that your systems and data are protected? 

Microsoft Teams Calling ensures secure communication through: 

  • Encryption: Teams Calls encrypts data in transit and at rest, safeguarding sensitive conversations and information. 
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): This extra layer of security protects access to Teams and user accounts, making it harder for unauthorised individuals to gain access.
  • Compliance Certifications: Teams Calling is designed for adherence to stringent compliance standards, ensuring data privacy and security.
  • Threat Detection: Microsoft employs advanced threat detection systems to monitor for suspicious activity and protect users from potential attacks. 

Best Practices for Data Protection in Teams Calling 

While Teams Calling offers robust security features, following best practices further strengthens your cyber security posture: 

  • Champion User: Designate a champion user who will advocate for secure communication practices. By educating colleagues on Teams Calling security features, they can help to create a culture of cyber awareness within your organisation. 
  • User Training: Conduct regular user training sessions to educate employees on how to use the app and what are some data security best practices. This will maintain content sprawl, keep your Teams structure clean and avoid data loss and other security issues. 
  • Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Implement DLP policies to prevent sensitive data from being accidentally or intentionally shared inappropriately. This may include restricting the sharing of confidential documents with external parties. 
  • Meeting Controls: Utilise features like attendee admission controls and screen sharing restrictions to manage access and content sharing during meetings. Ensure only authorised participants can join confidential meetings. Prevent sensitive information from being unintentionally displayed during screen sharing sessions. 

By implementing these practices, you can leverage the power of Teams Calling to foster secure communication and collaboration within your remote workforce. 

 

A Cyber-Safe Collaboration Partner: Inspired IT 

Microsoft Teams Calling extends the functionality of Teams beyond digital collaboration. As a trusted Microsoft partner, we can help you leverage this app as a business phone system so you have access to features such as call escalation, transfers, auto-attendants, call park, and voicemail. 

Inspired IT is also a Perth cyber security company so we understand the importance of data protection. We will help you navigate the challenges of securing your Microsoft environment, let’s chat! 

In the meantime, we’ve put together an insightful eBook that will show you how else you can utilise the Microsoft 365 Suite to benefit your business growth, download it for free.