Remote work has reconfigured the way businesses operate, but just as cybersecurity threats have grown, so too have they become more susceptible to them. Often, distributed teams who rely heavily on digital tools become an easy target for cybercriminals exploitation. To preserve the integrity of operational work and, in turn, an organisation’s sensitive information, organisations have to apply powerful cybersecurity strategies that are now possible for remote environments.
Understanding the Cybersecurity Challenges of Remote Work
Unsecured Networks: Remote workers tend to work from home or on a public network, such as a coffee shop or office, which does not have the same strong security measures as the office of the firm. Since these are most often attacked by cyberattacks, the hackers engage in data interception and unauthorised access using these.
Phishing and Social Engineering: Phishing attacks have increased because most employees use emails and online communications. Cybercriminals try to trick employees into giving them sensitive information or downloading malware by pretending to be a famous source, as they are trusted on the professional side.
Use of Personal Devices: Most remote workers tend to wear personal devices. They may not match corporate security standards and the devices may leave a backdoor for malware to steal stuff from the organisation.
Lack of Physical Security: Remote work removes the physical security of an office. Office is limited and files are put in safe cabinets. There is zero risk of losing or having their data stolen.
Best Practices for Securing Remote Work Environments
Set Up a Secure VPN: VPN encrypts all communications, making for safe and sound communications between the employee and the corporate network. Make sure that all remote employees use VPN whilst working.
Use of MFA: This is in addition to traditional passwords, which require a password and more than a one-time code that verifies the identity of an individual.
Implement a Strong Password Policy: Employees should have powerful and frequently changed passwords. Utilising a password manager would help them generate many of these while keeping them safely stored.
Continuing Security Awareness Training: Constantly train the employees concerning potential cyber threats, which may include phishing and social engineering attacks, how to look for them and even how to react.
File sharing and collaboration tools with security: Encourages the use of encrypted file-sharing platforms and collaboration tools that comply with corporate security protocols. Discourages sharing sensitive information via email or unapproved platforms.
Data Backup and Recovery Plans: You must back up data that is absolutely critical to your business regularly and you should periodically test the procedures you would use to recover your business if you are infected with ransomware or some other kind of data compromise.
Advanced Measures for Remote Work Security
Zero Trust Security Model: Take the zero-trust approach. Nobody and nothing should be trusted by default. Granular access controls should be in place and verified identities should be validated every time they are granted access to corporate resources.
Monitoring and Incident Response: Implement monitoring tools for the detection of suspicious activities. Be quick to respond to potential breaches. Security audits can help to identify gaps in remote work systems that need to be closed.
Secure Cloud Infrastructure: As cloud adoptions increase, ensure tight security configurations for cloud systems. Encrypt data in transit and at-rest levels and enforce strict control access.
The Role of Employees in Cybersecurity
Awareness and Vigilance: The employees are the first line of defence and should take prompt notice of suspicious email bodies or links, impulsive behaviour, etc.
Compliance with Policy: Employee understanding and follow-through on company security policy, particularly concerning approved devices, software and communication.
Conclusion
Remote work is not going away, and neither is the cybersecurity it causes. However, with the right measures and a culture of awareness, companies can give their offsite teams the right security measures to fight an ever-changing breed of cyber threats. For professionals who want to expand their know-how and skill in managing modern cybersecurity, the London School of Emerging Technology (LSET) offers a comprehensive Cybersecurity Course. These cyber security courses provide practical insights and hands-on experience to secure personal and corporate networks effectively. Learn more about the course here: LSET Cybersecurity Course.