Remote work offers benefits to companies, but it presents cybersecurity challenges that never exist in traditional office environments. As increasing number of employees start working remotely, cybersecurity threats that your organizations face will change over time.
Remote work offers quite a few benefits to companies. It presents a new set of challenges which were never present in traditional office environments. In this read, we will share the challenges of the remote workforce through security tips and practices regarding Workforce Security.
Working Remotely with Digital Security
If you are using public Wi-Fi, you should avoid exposing your sensitive data to security breaches. You need to send sensitive data through a public Wi-Fi connection. One of the leading security issues for companies today is their corporate network to large numbers of unsecured devices.
It means that other people could access your network and take off with your essential information. Any hacker on public network can monitor your traffic over time. It is important to find a way to protect your devices and encrypt your traffic and improves workforce security.
People use their smartphones for hotspots to limit the risk of being hacked on public Wi-Fi. If you have a personal hotspot from a dedicated device, internet will encrypt from the hotspot to its destination.
Most secure carriers have capability to set up your own private Wi-Fi network with cell phone. The cost never too bad, but the service will use data from your plan.
Many countries offer 4G or 5G service, which is just as fast as your wired network. You should never use public Wi-Fi because it is potentially unsafe. With a cell hotspot, you can avoid public Wi-Fi and stay safe.
VPN services can be used for privacy, but they do not protect traffic beyond the VPN provider. That means that you need specific software for remote access. If you want security for remote, virtual private network service is the best option.
Have Work Computer Separate
You require to take necessary precautions use work on a computer, secure Wi-Fi, VPN, encrypted drives and anti-virus. It is possible to send emails at home before leaving for work. It is important to remember that this can be risky not for you but also for your company.
If you are working in a organization with an efficient IT team that brings regular updates, run antivirus scans, and block harmful sites. They may not be transparent to you right now. Rest assured a good chance your company has all the technology. It needs to keep your computer safe. Your company can afford to pay for more effective technical controls that cannot afford personally.
One should use employer portal or remote access environment such as Office 365. You can work and avoid downloading files or synchronizing emails to a personal device. It is always best practice for personal business separate from work-related business. It uses your employer-issued laptop for work-related tasks.
Utilize Virtual Private Network
One of the most recommended cyber suggestions for obtaining remote access for employees is by using a virtual private network. With a VPN, you can create secure and encrypted internet connections on your device.
Sending communications and data across an internet connection can expose you to outside hackers. VPN tunnels encrypt your data, making it inaccessible and secure. As a best practice, you must allow your remote workforce to connect using a virtual private network. They are connecting to the internal networks of your organization.
If you want to protect your privacy, take steps to find a virtual private network service. A VPN is an essential tool for keeping track of what your workers are doing. By using one, you can do away with any sightseeing done without your permission.
Stronger Password with Double Authentication
A strong password is essential to protect your accounts. Remote personnel should use passwords with eight characters in length and contain numeric, letters, and unique characters.
We recommend that employees limit their password reuse. The Google-Harris poll found that 58% of people re-use passwords within several online platforms. This practice compromises remote work accounts and can lead to data breaches. Utilizing secure password management tools is another effective way of safeguarding your remote work environment.
But even if you have a password, you will still need an extra security measure to access your remote work. Hackers have demonstrated that passwords are ineffectual in the earlier times. It is important to add another layer of protection when logging in.
Two-factor authentication is a security feature since it makes it tough for aggressors to access the second factor of authentication. Make sure that you enable multi-factor authentication to make remote-work cybersecurity practices even stronger.
