The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we work, but the switch to remote and mixed work models isn’t just a short-term fix; it’s a long-term change. The shift is most noticeable among skilled employees in the UAE.
A study done by the Dubai Statistics Centre in 2024 showed that 46% of knowledge workers want to be able to make their own schedules in the future. IT leaders are at a turning point right now. They need to change their infrastructure to support a distributed workforce without lowering efficiency, security, or cultural fit.
It doesn’t matter if your team is working from Dubai Marina or Sharjah; your IT infrastructure needs to be flexible, safe, and optimised for the location.
Let us look at the five most important pillars of infrastructure that will help the future of work in the UAE.
- Secure Connectivity
The old model of perimeter-based security doesn’t work when workers access company resources from home, coffee shops, or coworking spaces. ZTNA, or Zero Trust Network Access, can help with that.
ZTNA replaces legacy VPNs with an identity-aware method that verifies every connection before access. It checks users, devices, and context before granting secure resource access. It not only makes it harder to attack, but it also makes the experience smoother for users by getting rid of the slowness and complexity of regular VPNs.
2. Device Management
When employees work from home or in a mixed setting, IT departments have to keep track of more personal and company-owned devices. Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) tools help keep all endpoints under control and visible, like a company laptop or an employee’s personal tablet.
With UEM, you can:
- Enforce security policies instantly across all devices.
- Remotely wipe lost or stolen devices.
- Push critical updates and software in real time.
- Monitor compliance from a central dashboard.
This level of control is essential to protect sensitive business data while offering flexibility to employees.
3. Collaboration at Scale
Distributed teams need collaboration tools that are strong and can grow as needed. Managed Service Providers (MSPs) in the UAE now offer full deployment, integration, and support for tools like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, customised for local regulations and data residency requirements.
4. Virtual Desktops
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) has become popular as a way to keep private data safe and limit the spread of data. Cloud-hosted computers can be accessed from any device with services like Azure Virtual Desktop and AWS WorkSpaces.
5. Cultural Considerations
Technology alone doesn’t ensure adoption. Success depends on localising the remote work experience. Companies in the UAE are increasingly prioritising:
- Arabic-language onboarding and support materials to bridge communication gaps.
- Weekend-aware support (Friday-Saturday) to align with regional workweeks.
- Consideration of Ramadan schedules and other local customs when designing workflows and meetings.
Conclusion
No longer a trend, working from home is now the norm. For UAE companies to do well in this environment, they need to make sure their IT infrastructure is ready for the future. This means getting rid of patchwork solutions and replacing them with safe, scalable, and culturally aware structures that give workers power no matter where they work.
Contact us today to get our free Remote-Readiness Audit, and in just one week, you’ll have a custom infrastructure plan made just for your business.
