Working from Home? Here’s Our Security Tips for Remote Work.
Although, we know that either large, medium or small all sizes of companies are under attack. For the moment, working remotely has become an essential for modern companies looking to enlist talent and create business continuity plans.
More and more companies are asking their employees to work from home during the COVID-19 Pandemic in an effort to keep their workforce healthy in the face of the spreading novel coronavirus.
Firstly, Avoid feeling isolated
Try to BeHappy and try to sustain a semblance of normalcy and friendship in unconventional ways, like virtual parties or remote HappyHours where people dial in and share a cocktail on Skype. It’s suggested to “Make time for friendly conversations and ‘water cooler’ chat.”
“The coronavirus is pushing everyone into this kind of extreme working from home,” says Nicholas Bloom, a professor of economics at Stanford University in California.
Due to continuous spread of coronavirus, it’s not clear how long people will be at home, which poses additional problems.
Secondly, Keep spirits up
Make yourself self-motivated and keep people’s (your colleagues and loved ones) spirits up and make no mistake, these are stressful times.
Benefits of Working Remotely
Let’s start with the benefits of working remotely.
- Working remotely improves employee retention and productivity.
- Working remotely reduces the company overhead of costs by eliminating the need for office space.
Security Risks for Working Remotely
Let’s talk about the risks of working remotely.
- Users working from home cannot control or ensure the security of the network that they are using. Anyone like; family, friends, guests, or strangers will often have access to both a public or home network.
- Lack of training or understanding of security concerns when it comes to information/data security. Common issue for both workers at the office and at home.
- Users working remotely didn’t understanding their role and responsibilities when it comes to working remotely securely.
Here are our policy guidelines which we suggest when you or your employees are outside the office:
Two-factor authentication
I can assure you that the best practice for securing your remote workforce is Two-factor authentication. For more information about Two-factor authentication and why you should care.
Connect Over VPN
Virtual public networks, or VPNs, are similar to firewalls; this will ensure that network traffic is encrypted, even on a public network like a coffee shop. This is also recommended in a home office if the home network is shared with others (family, friends, and guests)
Password Manager
Using Password Manager Tools will help the user store their passwords and generate secure ones. It helps you to avoid the risk of remote worker using the repeated password for all services.
Security Training
Cyber security awareness is must companies have to train employees on best practices: Organization must create clear security guidelines for your employees, so they understand how to protect themselves and their sensitive data.
Monitor Data Usage
Companies must use some applications to monitor data usage that manages and monitors data transfers and minimizes the risk of “theft.” There are lots of “Remote Worker Monitoring” tools available on web. Google is your friend here.
Have A Policy in Place
Here are few samples of procedures that need to be included in your remote working policy:
Endpoint Security
Installing an endpoint agent(s) with the ability to perform (1) data protection (2) malware protection will provide greater assurance into securing the endpoint especially if corporate data is allowed to reside on the machine.
Utilize Cloud Applications
Provide remote worker cloud applications like Office 365 and QuickBooks. Content storage should be allowed on cloud only. As for security and access ensure that remote worker using cloud or web-based storage software that allows sharing and editing of documents. Also, read Cloud Security Threats
Email Phishing
Closely watch and must informed about types of phishing emails. As Cybercriminals use phishing to entice users to share data and login credentials, typically through an email, instant message or text message. Here are some of Best Practices to Avoid Email Phishing Attacks
Security starts from us. Read here about Steps to Protect Your PC from Hackers
However, this growing trend of remote workers is also leading to a growing trend in risks and breaches due to people working on unsecured networks.