Remote work has become the new normal for many businesses. While remote work has its advantages, such as flexibility and increased productivity, it also poses new security risks for companies. Our Experts have put together their top tips and best practices to help you keep your remote workers secure and productive.
1 – Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A VPN encrypts data transmitted between remote workers and your company’s network, making it difficult for hackers to intercept and steal sensitive information. It’s important to ensure that your employees are using a reputable VPN service that provides robust security measures and regular updates.
2 – Secure Remote Access
Remote access is the ability for employees to access the company’s network and resources from outside the office. It’s crucial to ensure that remote access is secure and that employees only have access to the resources they need to do their jobs. You can do this by implementing multi-factor authentication, which requires users to provide two or more forms of identification to gain access to the network.
3 – Provide Security Awareness Training
Remote workers are often more vulnerable to social engineering attacks, such as phishing scams, because they are not physically present in the office. To prevent these attacks, it’s important to provide regular security awareness training to your employees. This can include training on how to identify phishing scams, how to create strong passwords, and how to report suspicious activity.
4 – Implement Endpoint Security
Endpoint security involves securing the devices that remote workers use to access your company’s network and resources. This can include antivirus software, firewalls, and encryption tools. It’s important to ensure that all devices used by remote workers are up to date with the latest security patches and software updates.
5 – Use Cloud-Based Collaboration Tools
Cloud-based collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Slack have become essential for remote teams. These tools allow employees to communicate and collaborate in real time, no matter where they are located. However, it’s important to ensure that these tools are secure and that employees are using them appropriately.
6 – Monitor Employee Activity
While it’s important to trust your employees, it’s also important to monitor their activity to ensure that they are not engaging in risky behaviour that could put your company at risk. This can include monitoring email and chat activity, as well as tracking device usage and internet activity.
7 – Establish Clear Remote Work Policies
Remote work policies should outline what is expected of remote workers in terms of security and productivity. This can include guidelines for device usage, internet connectivity, and communication protocols. It’s important to ensure that these policies are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect changing security risks.
In addition to these best practices, it’s also important to have a plan in place for responding to security incidents. This can include procedures for reporting incidents, assessing the impact of an incident, and taking steps to mitigate the damage.
By following these tips and best practices, you can help ensure that your remote workers are both secure and productive. While remote work poses new security risks, with the right tools and policies in place, you can minimise those risks and keep your business running smoothly, if you would like to find out more, speak to one of our experts today.
