“Remote work” is surely among any employee’s favourite phrases.
Employers, however, have some concerns. Some (not all) are valid. For example, cybersecurity risks.
Undeniably, there are several issues that should be taken seriously. And that’s exactly why we created this guide – to help you with cyber risk management in a remote setting. We’ll present the best strategies, plus some tips and trick from our own experience.
Without further ado:
Common Cybersecurity Risks in Remote Work
We’ll be honest – there are security challenges remote working brings to the table.
Thankfully, they are manageable.
The first step is to know thy enemy:
Weak Passwords
Yes, that is still an issue.
You’d be surprised at just how many people still think that “password123” offers enough protection. Remote workers often have multiple accounts and manage several services. This increases the temptation to reuse passwords or use simple ones.
We know what worries you – forgetting. There is a simple solution, however:
Password managers. You can choose from LastPass, NordPass,1Password, or the likes to make your life easier. They save all your passwords, as well as generate new ones.
After all, the end goal is to keep attackers away from sensitive information. A strong password is the first step.
Phishing
The most common type of cyber-attack. There are several different types of phishing attacks, the most common being via email. In short, it involves malicious parties sending emails with deceptive links or other ways of tricking the receiver to share sensitive data. Smishing, which is SMS phishing, uses the same principle.
More often than not, the sender’s email or phone number look legit enough to fool your employees. For example, the attackers might choose to impersonate your IT department and fake a convincing enough email. It can contain a link that leads to a fake login page designed to capture usernames and passwords.
As phishing is so common, training your team to employ the best practices to protect themselves and your company is crucial.
Outdated Software
We can’t stress this enough:
Always. Update. Your. Software. On. Time.
“But what’s the worst that could happen?”, you find yourself wondering.
You could and most probably will get hacked. The point of updates aim to address known security issues. In other words, hackers are aware of them and exactly how to exploit them. Most commonly, attackers use those to gain unauthorized access to your or your employee’s devices.
That’s the last thing you know.
When you update your software, it will make you less vulnerable to malicious attacks. We’re not talking only about the operating system. You’ll need to update all kinds of apps and cloud solutions, too.
Speaking of you also need to update WordPress, Laravel or whatever platform you chose to create your company’s website on. The plugins, too.
Unsecured Wi-Fi Networks
We all like working from coffee shops or beach bars.
However, that’s not always the best idea.
Public Wi-Fi makes it easier for attackers on the same network to use a man-in-the-middle attack. It’s a way for malicious parties to position themselves between you and your apps. They do that to either eavesdrop or to impersonate one of the parties. They can, for example, intercept and read your email communications.
Detecting them is extremely difficult. That’s why this is among the biggest security challenges of remote working.
So, it’s best to avoid unprotected public Wi-Fi networks. You can use your phone as a hotspot, if possible.
Lack of Physical Security
It’s easy to get comfortable in your favourite coffee shop, coworking space or wherever you work from, when not in the office. You might feel like it’s safe to leave your laptop unlocked or unattended, while you get a coffee refill.
It is not.
Your device might get stolen or hacked. Or both.
This means that all types of sensitive data is at risk – be it professional or personal. Never leave your computer vulnerable at public spaces! While it might not exactly be a cybersecurity risk associated with remote work, it’s still dangerous.
Now.
How do you protect yourself and/or your company?
The Top Strategies to Mitigate Cybersecurity Risks in Remote Work
Now it’s time to discuss how to address all the vulnerabilities of remote work.
Our experience shows that the simplest decisions are the best. Our own version of Occam’s razor, if you will. So, we present you the easiest strategies to implement, in order to up your cyber risk management game. It doesn’t matter if you’re a business owner or am employee, you can benefit from:
- Regular cybersecurity training – if your company doesn’t offer those, it’s time to present the idea to the decision makers. Cybersecurity trainings are a great way to educate employees about phishing, man-in-the-middle, and various other malicious attacks.
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) – that way every time anyone from your company needs to reach an account, they will have to prove their identity. Most often, they will need to enter a code they receive via SMS. It’s the best option for secure remote access. You should do that for all your personal accounts, too.
- Virtual Private Networks – VPNs encrypt your data and mask your IP address. This makes it more difficult for attackers to intercept data transmitted over unsecured networks (which you should avoid at all costs).
- Endpoint security solutions – we’re talking about antivirus software, firewalls, and intrusion detection tools. All employees should have access to company-approved endpoint security software. Everyone should ensure it is regularly updated.
- Email filtering tools – utilize them to block spam and phishing emails before they reach your or your employees’ inboxes. SpamTitan, MailCleaner, and MailWasher Pro are all good options.
- Secure file sharing – choose reliable tools with good reputation to share company files. Solutions like Dropbox Business or Google Drive offer enhanced security features.
- Clear IT security policies – every company can benefit from those. If you’re a company owner, consider developing cybersecurity policies for remote workers specifically. For example, guidelines on data handling, device usage, and incident reporting.
We’d also suggest setting up role-based access control. This means regulating which employees can see certain data. That way, even if someone falls victim to a cybercrime, they will have limited information. Using browser security extensions is another thing we encourage. Good examples include Avast Online Security, Ghostery, and Norton Safe Web. Last but not least, regularly backup your data. Not all malicious attacks aim to steal it. Some people just want to create chaos by wiping it all out. So, you should definitely include this point in your cyber security management plan.
Does all of this sound way too complicated?
Then you need a cybersecurity expert. We at Expert Allies can help you find the perfect match!
Contact us now and we’ll get back to you by the end of the day.
Wrap Up
Remote work has definitely changed the business landscape. Due to its numerous benefits, we can only assume that it will grow in popularity. More and more employes are prioritizing it when looking for a job. Of course, it is also part of the staff augmentation and IT outsourcing strategies.
So, you need to be prepared to face the cybersecurity risks remote work brings.
The most important thing you need to remember is that:
Cybersecurity is not a one-time effort. It is an ongoing commitment.
Our guide has armed you with the best strategies to handle the situation. Schedule the trainings. Update the software. Use strong passwords.
And stay vigilant!
FAQ
What is a common cybersecurity risk associated with remote work?
Weak passwords are the most common security risks associated with remote work. Employees often need to manage multiple accounts and apps. As a result, they rely on easy-to-remember passwords, which are often too weak. An easy way to solve this issue is to invest in a password manager.
What are the security measures for remote working?
The best security measures for remote working include using a VPN, relying on reputable password managers, frequently updating software, and conducting regular cybersecurity trainings. Setting up role-based access control and adding security extensions to your browser is also a good idea.