In the post-Covid world, remote work is quickly becoming the new normal for modern companies.|More and more companies are rapidly adopting remote work as a standard. One interesting trend that was discovered during this time was that remote and hybrid work could effectively increase productivity.
With the advantages of remote work also comes its fair share of downsides.
This article will cover ten steps Corporations can implement to ensure that remote workers are safe in this new post-pandemic remote work environment.
Step 1: Raise Cybersecurity Awareness.
It is imperative to teach employees security basics. Every employee in the company must be intimately aware of security issues and be reasonably savvy to identify potential cybersecurity risks. They should be alert for scams that attempt to steal sensitive data, credentials or even install malware in the company’s system.
Step 2: Provide your employees with the right tools.
It is the company’s responsibility to provide the employees with all the right tools to stay security compliant. Tools such as VPN, Password manager, antivirus software will enable your employees to get their job done while keeping themselves and corporate data secure.
Step 3: Create and implement a Cybersecurity Policy.
Your employees must follow the proper guidelines to protect company data.
Companies should have a strong cybersecurity policy that outlines everything employees need to do to keep their network and data secure. The policies should ensure that strong passwords are used for account access, and protection and access from public connections are prohibited.
The policy should also determine and define which tools and applications are safe for remote employees when they deal with business data.
Step 4: Regulate the use of personal devices.
Bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy is prevalent in the modern tech-savvy landscape.
Although BYOD can be great for many reasons, it also poses security risks for remote workers. Personal devices may not be password protected or have outdated antivirus software. If your company has a BYOD policy, you might want it restricted to office employees and require remote workers to use employer-provided devices strictly.
Step 5: Secure Network Connections.
Remote workers can easily access the Corporate network over an unsecured Wi-Fi connection. Unsecured Wi-Fi connections make users more vulnerable to security breaches.
It is common for remote workers to use a standard Wi-Fi connection over their home router to connect to the corporate network. These services may not be as secure as they should be.
VPNs are an excellent option for businesses looking to improve their network security. Employers should make it mandatory for employees to use VPNs to ensure secure and direct access to the company network.
When using a VPN, it is crucial to ensure that the VPN chosen offers encryption at all levels.
Step 6: Monitor remote work practices of your employees.
We trust our remote employees to adhere to security best practices. However, it is not always the case. Remote staff can sometimes fail to meet expectations, whether they are intentional or not.
These security risks need to be identified and rectified as soon as possible. Remote monitoring systems are available to monitor your employees’ activities. It’s up to you which one suits your company. You don’t want to feel like Big Brother. Let your employees know in advance that you plan to monitor their activities to make sure they comply with the remote work security policy.
Step 7: Use password managers.
Another critical aspect of maintaining a secure business is password safety in this age of remote work. The number of passwords that team members must remember, given the variety of software options and accounts they use each day, is growing.
This is why employees are more likely to use simple and repetitive passwords to gain access to tools.
53% of people admit that they have used the same password to access multiple accounts. A password management system may be better than a guide for your team on choosing more secure passwords.
Team members can access multiple tools using one password manager. This means that they only need to remember one code.
Step 8: Implement Multi-Factor Authentication.
Although password managers can make your accounts safer, passwords only provide one layer of protection. For remote employees, a multi-factor authentication is a great option.
This is because even if someone could figure out your employee’s password, it wouldn’t be enough for them to access an account.
Multi-factor authentication requires additional input, such as a code of limited duration or something similar, to unlock access to an account.
Multi-factor authentication is becoming more sophisticated. It’s now possible to create strategies that use biometric data and a password to protect services. You could give your employees a retina scan or fingerprint scan to protect their data.
Step 9: Establish a Zero Trust approach.
Microsoft has developed a simple approach to network security. Never trust, always verify. Known as the Zero Trust approach, it provides protection “by managing and granting access based on the continual verification of identities, devices, and services.”
Companies can establish their own Zero Trust approach by treating each remote access request as though it originated from an uncontrolled network and authenticating it accordingly.
Step 10: Don’t overcomplicate.
Modern security technology is opening up new avenues for protection for businesses today. These advanced offerings may be a significant step forward for many companies, but it’s important to remember that the basics are still very important.
Encryption software is essential in the remote work era.
Also, it’s worth making sure your employees have the most current security systems on all devices they use. This includes anti-malware and phishing protection. Firewalls can be used to protect everything, from smartphones and tablets to computers and mobile devices.
Mobile device management tools are also helpful. These tools can ensure security services and apps remain current on mobile devices.
These tools enable you to remotely install patches, delete dangerous data from employees’ hard drives, and block specific applications that could jeopardize security.
Conclusion.
Remote work does not have to compromise data security. Remote workers can still enjoy the benefits of flexible work without worrying about security threats if they are well-informed on the requirements of secure working.
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