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With the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20, and the security restrictions that come with the event, Verizon and the Telework Coalition, a nonprofit group, reportedly are encouraging businesses to use teleworking technologies to stay up and running.

 

According to Nancy Gofus, senior vice president of business marketing with Verizon (News - Alert), many Washington, D.C.-area companies will be closing their downtown offices on Inauguration Day, but their businesses can continue without interruption, through teleworking technologies that keep the virtual workplace in full swing.

 

“Broadband communications tools, secure virtual private networks, and audio, video and Web conferencing make work an event, not a place,” Gofus said.

 

Companies are expected to operate through broadband connections, on a laptop or home PC, with remote access into a company’s network, and a phone or VoIP connection. Yet security has emerged as a concern, as confidential company information and identities may be at risk.

 

Chuck Wilsker (News - Alert), chief executive officer and president of the Telework Coalition, said his group is encouraging area businesses that had teleworking technology in place to use it to their advantage, as all transportation routes throughout the region will be impacted by the inaugural activities.

 

“Telework is a win-win – it helps businesses operate flexibly while giving them a competitive advantage by enabling virtually anytime/anyplace work for greater business productivity and energy conservation resulting from reduced real estate and business travel,” Wilsker said.

 

Teleworkers may be employees working from home or employees based in the field, such as those located at client sites.

 

Officials at Verizon say they’ve been providing connectivity for workers for secure access of e-mail, files, and other resources from locations other than a physical office. Those methods include: Verizon FiOS (News - Alert) and DSL broadband connections; wireless data connections through EVDO over the Verizon Wireless 3G network; IP virtual private networks; satellite technology; and solutions for Private IP.