During the last few years, there has been a drastic increase in the number of people working from home or remotely, and organizations and employees have both experienced the benefits. With remote work, employers can save on overhead office costs and attract a larger talent pool of candidates from all over the world instead of within driving distance of the office. However, workplace cybersecurity best practices are still applicable — and maybe even more important — for remote workers. Let’s explore some best practices for cybersecurity in remote workplaces.
Benefits and Pitfalls of Remote Work
Remote work has shown an increase in productivity and cross-functional communication. Employees save time by having virtual meetings instead of gathering in a meeting room or offsite location. Hiring managers have a larger talent pool of individuals to choose from because their workforce can become global instead of local. Organizations that provide remote work as an option have seen a reduction in absenteeism, and companies that provide remote-work options often retain employees longer than those that don't.
But while much of the workforce has enjoyed a transition to remote work, another group has also benefited from this, cyber criminals. Illicit cyber activity nearly doubled in 2020 when a large number of employees shifted to working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend of targeting individuals who work remotely has continued, even as many people have transitioned back to the workplace. If you are a remote worker, it is essential to be extra vigilant in your attention to cybersecurity and how to protect yourself from an attack.
Why is Cybersecurity Important?
Cybersecurity is essential in the remote workplace. With the rise of remote work, companies must take steps to protect their digital assets. Cyber threats such as phishing scams, malware, and hacking attempts are becoming increasingly common. A cyber attack can result in data breaches, financial losses, and damage to a company's reputation. Implementing an effective cybersecurity protocol across an organization, including for remote workers, is crucial. Organizations should continually educate employees on the most up-to-date cyber threats and have a plan in place in case of a security breach. Here are some best practices that organizations can implement to help prevent data breaches for their remote-work employees:
Securing Remote Devices and Networks
First of all, set up secure networks for your remote workers. Consider using a virtual private network, also known as a VPN. Limit personal device usages, such as computers, phones, or tablets — but employers should also assume that employees will use personal devices and set up a mobile device policy too.
Companies should encourage employees to back up important data on company-provided devices or networks whenever possible, and update devices often. Regular software updates don't just help your device operate at an optimum level. They also include valuable protections against the latest cybersecurity threats. As a remote worker, it is important to be as up to date as possible with all operating systems and antivirus software.
Remote Access and Authentication
Employees should use strong passwords and implement two-factor or multi-factor authentication for device logins. Unattended screens can be a potential risk for a data breach. Never leave devices unattended, and be sure to lock computer screens when not in use, especially when working remotely in a public space like a library or coffee shop. Employers can also enforce the use of automatic lock screens or consider using virtual desktops. Employees should always use password protection on phones containing sensitive work information.
Attacks from Cyber Criminals
Be cautious of emails from unknown sources, and do not engage with them. Cyber criminals usually try to trick their phishing victims into opening links or downloading files, either by mimicking legitimate businesses or using poor grammar to look more realistic. They can also try to "phish out" sensitive data, such as passwords or account numbers, with suspicious links or attachments. Firewalls and antivirus software can provide an extra layer of protection from scams.
Try to avoid using work devices on public Wi-Fi networks. Even networks that seem secure may have a cyber criminal acting maliciously behind the scenes. Using a strategy known as the "evil twin," cyber criminals can act as a man in the middle to gain access to your information while you are using the presumably safe public network. Always try to use a known secure network or your phone's internal hotspot when connecting work devices to the internet.
Data Privacy and Protection
Employers should also continuously educate employees on cybersecurity protocol, explaining that the cost of a data breach greatly outweighs the cost of security measures. In the case of a cyber attack, it may be uncomfortable for employees to report it, but it's important that employees know to do so immediately. Remote workers should always be encouraged to notify someone rather than try to fix the problem themselves — when in doubt, reach out.
Remember that everyone is part of an organization's cybersecurity protocol. This is even more true when working remotely. With the help of all remote employees, an organization can better protect itself from data breaches, the latest phishing threats, and other malicious cyber criminal activity. And with EasyLlama’s mini-course on Cybersecurity for Remote Workplaces, employers can better educate their remote teams on all the best practices for staying secure while working from home. Learn more about our Cybersecurity & Data Privacy suite of courses with a free EasyLlama course preview today!
