SAS ITThe Remote Work IT Stack for Dubai Businesses
Layer 1: Secure Remote Access
- VPN (Fortinet SSL-VPN): Best for accessing office resources. Included in FortiGate licence.
- VDI: Best for high-security environments. Setup AED 5,000 to 20,000.
- Cloud-First: All apps in cloud, no VPN needed. Simplest but requires full cloud migration.
Layer 2: Endpoint Security
- EDR on every device
- Disk encryption (BitLocker / FileVault)
- Auto-lock after 5 minutes idle
- Enrolled in Intune MDM
- Personal BYOD devices: Microsoft Conditional Access only
Layer 3: Identity and Access
- MFA on every account — non-negotiable for remote access
- Conditional Access: block sign-ins from high-risk locations
- Single Sign-On (SSO) for all applications
Layer 4: Collaboration
- Microsoft Teams or Slack for communication
- SharePoint/OneDrive for file sharing
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard minimum licence
Remote Work IT Costs
| Component | Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Business Premium | 185 per user per month |
| VPN setup (FortiGate) | Included in existing firewall |
| Intune MDM | Included in Business Premium |
| EDR (if not using Defender) | 50 to 100 per device per month |
For fast help when remote staff hit problems, see our remote IT support service.
Remote Work IT: Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best way to give remote staff secure access to office resources? An SSL-VPN (built into FortiGate firewalls at no extra cost) covers most businesses. VDI suits higher-security environments at AED 5,000 to 20,000 setup, and a cloud-first approach removes the need for VPN entirely if all apps are already cloud-based.
Is MFA really necessary for remote work? Yes — it's non-negotiable for any remote access setup, since a stolen password alone is the single most common way remote accounts get compromised.
How should personal (BYOD) devices be handled for remote work? Through Microsoft Conditional Access rather than full MDM enrollment — this lets personal devices access company resources under policy without the business managing the device outright.
What Microsoft 365 licence is needed for a full remote-work security stack? Business Premium, since it includes Intune MDM and Defender alongside the standard Office apps, covering device management and endpoint security in one licence.
SAS IT configures secure remote work solutions for Dubai businesses. Free consultation | +971-526716178
Related: Managed IT Services Dubai | Networking & Security Dubai
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About the Author
Reviewed by Mustafa Husain, Founder of SAS IT Services, with 10+ years of experience in IT infrastructure, networking, and security — alongside the same engineers who design, install, and support the work described on this site. SAS IT Services was founded on 22 February 2020 in Dubai and has since delivered 500+ projects for businesses across the UAE.
We specialize in Fortinet, Cisco, and Microsoft, among 17 vendor product lines we regularly install, configure, and support across networking, cybersecurity, CCTV, and cloud infrastructure — hands-on experience that informs the technical guidance in our articles.
Our work is independently rated 5.0 out of 5 from 17 verified Google Reviews. Every article is reviewed internally for technical accuracy before publishing and reflects practices we apply on real client deployments in Dubai and the UAE.
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