Addressing Cybersecurity Issues for Remote Employees
The issue of cybersecurity is more crucial than ever, especially in light of the rapid expansion of remote work. Employers need to be aware of the potential cybersecurity risks that may be posed when employees work remotely.
To protect your employees – and your business – employers MUST take steps to secure their networks and devices and ensure that remote workers are as safe as possible online to protect their confidential and proprietary data.
Educate Remote Workers on Cybersecurity Best Practices
Education on requirements and best practices for device and data safe while working remotely is essential. Employers should create and maintain security policies for remote workers to ensure that they are aware of cybersecurity risks, steps to take to avoid risks, and actions to take in the event of a potential cybersecurity or data breach. These policies should also outline basic and required steps employees must take to secure devices and data, such as passwords and lock screens requirements and for sharing, storing, or transmitting sensitive data and avoiding phishing scams. Cybersecurity policies should be reviewed and updated frequently to stay abreast of current technology, risks, and threats.
Likewise, regular training on security threats can help employees identify potential dangers and take steps to avoid them. Ongoing education, alerts, and communications regarding phishing scams, spoofed email accounts or phone numbers, and other types of cyber-attacks is critical as these types of risks and scams evolve. Make sure employees know how to spot suspicious emails and links, that they understand the importance of never sharing sensitive information online, and that they know who to contact should they click a link or otherwise fall victim to one of such increasingly sophisticated attacks.
Regulate the Use of Personal Devices
The use of personal devices and home networks by employees has become increasingly common, which poses additional cybersecurity risk for employers to consider. One of the biggest risks is that employees may store or access sensitive work-related information on personal devices that are not adequately secured. This could lead to a data breach if the device is lost, stolen, or accessed by unauthorized individuals. Another threat is that hackers could target personal devices to gain access to corporate networks.
The best way to mitigate the risks posed by using personal, unsecured devices is to require employees to use only corporate-issued, corporate-secured devices for work-related activities. At the bare minimum, employers should provide employees with guidance on how to properly secure their personal devices and networks. Employers that allow access to work networks from personal devices may consider restricting worker permissions to download, copy, or save company information on personal devices.
Use Secure Remote Access Solutions
Employers should discourage workers from using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks when accessing Company data or Company systems outside of the office.
Employers may also consider requiring remote employees to use VPNs to access internal networks. VPNs help to encrypt data, making it more difficult for hackers to intercept sensitive information. When using a VPN, employers should update patches regularly to ensure maximum protection.
Enhance Authorization and Authentication Procedures
In order to protect sensitive information, employers should implement multi-factor authentication processes, including firewall protection and strong passwords. Multi-factor authentication requires users to provide two or more pieces of evidence before they are granted access to a system. This extra layer of protection can help to prevent unauthorized users from accessing company data.
Businesses should also ensure that cloud-based and SAAS programs that remote workers must access are secure. This also includes messaging apps such as Slack and Microsoft Teams. Data encryption and controls for limiting access to authenticated and authorized users are critical when using these programs.
Provide Sufficient IT Support
Employers should ensure that IT resources are readily available to remote employees, as well as to in-office staff. Employees, especially remote employees, need consistent access to IT personnel who can assist with setting up networks, provide support if issues arise, and immediately address security threats. Employers may also consider testing home networks to identify any potential risks.