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Once we all got a taste of avoiding a long commute and working in our sweatpants, there was no going back. And even though some people have made the switch back to the office, about 91% of the U.S. workforce wants some kind of remote work.
Because of the pandemic, remote work was one of those cultural shifts that had to happen and had to happen quickly. There wasn’t a lot of prep that businesses could do to make remote work happen smoothly, and cybersecurity suffered. Barracuda Networks, a global IT company, reported a 667% increase in phishing attempts, and Google says they were blocking 18 million Coronavirus scam emails a day.
But now that you’ve had a few years to adjust (and the cybercriminals have chilled out just a little bit), it’s time to decide whether you’ll stay remote, and how you’ll keep your data safe while doing so.
Is It Risky to Have Remote Workers?
The short answer: yes, remote employees do come with some risks that don’t apply to in-office employees. Remote workforce security is harder to keep tabs on, especially for the following reasons:
- The use of personal devices for work (like connecting a work email to a cell phone)
- Frequent use of public wifi or unsecured networks
- The inability to physically see and monitor physical workspaces
- Company devices available to non-employees (such as a child accessing a work laptop)
- Lack of in-person IT support
- Employees might be less likely to ask for help when a problem occurs
- Bad cybersecurity hygiene (weak passwords, not using MFA, etc.)
Many of these things can still happen with in-person employees, but they’re more likely with remote work. Research hasn’t found whether remote workers are bigger targets for cybercrime—it’s hard to tell since attacks boomed due to how quickly businesses had to implement remote work policies.
If There Are Risks to Remote Workers, Is It Still Worth It?
Absolutely! No risk, no reward right? Even though remote workforce security can be an added challenge, the pros far outweigh the cons.
Employee Autonomy and Productivity
The number one reason why businesses choose remote work is the increase in productivity. Since employees have more flexibility and control over their schedules, they tend to feel less stressed and are generally happier on the job—which means better performance overall.
Lower Environmental Impact
While it may seem small, fewer cars making a daily commute means fewer carbon emissions and a smaller ecological footprint.
Cost Savings
With less overhead costs (like rent, utilities, and supplies), businesses typically save money by hiring remote workers—and that can help your business fund better security measures like robust cybersecurity software (wink wink).
Access to a Larger Talent Pool
Since remote work allows you to hire talent across the country and even internationally, your pool of qualified candidates grows exponentially. This gives you access to a wider range of ideas and viewpoints that could help you come up with innovative solutions on how to keep your remote workforce safe.
Better Disaster Recovery
If one part of the country experiences a natural disaster, remote work policies allow you to keep your business running and employees engaged. Whether it’s a tornado, hurricane, or forest fire, remote work is one of the best ways to ensure your team doesn’t get disrupted while they keep doing their jobs.
Overall, despite the risks associated with having a remote workforce, many businesses still find that the benefits far outweigh the challenges. So if we’ve convinced you to keep working remotely, let’s figure out how to beef up that remote workforce security.
Tips for Better Remote Workforce Security
While some things might take a little more implementation, there are some simple policies you could put in place to boost your remote workforce security immediately.
Use a VPN
A virtual private network, or VPN, is a secure network connection that allows you to access the internet from anywhere in the world, and it’s a staple for remote workforce security. VPNs are used by businesses and individual users to protect their data and privacy when connecting to public networks like wifi hotspots.
When you connect to the internet using a VPN, your computer creates an encrypted tunnel between itself and the VPN server. All of your traffic passes through this tunnel, which is why it’s called a “private” network—only authorized users can see it. This encrypted traffic is virtually impossible for anyone else to intercept, so your data is safe from hackers and other bad actors.
Employee Cybersecurity Training
Employee cybersecurity training should include a broad overview of cybersecurity topics, from the basics of online safety and privacy to more advanced concepts like phishing and ransomware. Employees should have a basic understanding of how to stay safe online, as well as what to do if they encounter a cyberattack.
In addition to general cybersecurity training, it’s also important to train employees on specific workplace policies. For example, remote workers should be taught how to use a VPN and how to recognize phishing emails. They should also be reminded about the company’s data retention policies, and be instructed on what to do if they lose or accidentally share sensitive information.
Regular cybersecurity training is essential for keeping your remote workforce safe. By providing employees with regular education and updates on the latest threats, you can help them stay informed and protected against cybercrime.
To keep it simple, you could hold a monthly, 30-minute meeting and assign a different employee each time to lead a brief presentation on a topic like VPNs, phishing scams, or mobile device security. You can also partner with a managed service provider who will handle all of the cybersecurity training for you.
Multi-factor Authentication
Another key security measure for your remote workforce is multi-factor authentication. This is a tool that requires more than one method to prove your identity when logging into a system or account, and is essential for combating credential theft.
For example, instead of simply entering a password, multi-factor authentication requires employees to enter a security code that is sent to their phone by text or via an app. This ensures that only authorized users can access sensitive information and accounts.
Data Backup and Recovery
In the event of a cyberattack or other disaster, you need to be able to recover your data quickly and easily. This requires having robust data backup and recovery solutions in place, including offsite cloud backups, on-premise backup servers, or both.
Whatever solution you choose, make sure that it’s reliable and easy to use. Test your data backup and recovery processes regularly to ensure that they are working properly, and review your disaster recovery plan at least once a year to keep it up-to-date.
Password Policies
We all have a password that we made 10 years ago and never changed since. And if you’re still using that same password, now is the time to change it! Password policies are essential for keeping your data and systems secure, so it’s important to enforce consistent rules for strong passwords across your organization.
For example, passwords should be at least 8 characters long and include a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters. Employees should also be required to change their passwords on a regular basis (for example, every 6 months) and avoid using personal information or common words that could easily be guessed.
If your employees have to log in to customer accounts, you can use a password management program like LastPass. This tool stores the passwords for each account and keeps them securely in a digital vault. Your employees will be able to log into the account, but they won’t have direct access to any sensitive information.
Microsoft 365
Using Microsoft 365 is one of the best choices you could make for remote workforce security. This suite is designed to make it easier for employees, partners, and customers to collaborate securely across all devices. It includes services like cloud-based email, file storage and sharing, instant messaging, and videoconferencing capabilities.
With Microsoft 365 in place, you can easily create a secure digital workspace that lets your remote workforce access the tools and information they need to do their jobs effectively. And since Microsoft 365 is continually updated with the latest security features (Microsoft really knows how to keep stuff under lock and key), you can rest assured that your data will always be protected.
At the end of the day, remote workforce security requires constant vigilance and proactive measures. But by implementing the right technologies and policies, you can create a safe, productive environment for your remote workforce, and you’ll be happy you did!
Your Best Remote Workforce Security With Stability Networks
The IT support industry has been undergoing a massive transformation and managed service providers are leading the way. As a trusted provider of IT solutions and services, Stability Networks understands the unique security needs of remote workforces and offers a wide range of solutions to help you protect your data and systems no matter where you are.
From cloud backup solutions to the full suite of Microsoft 365 tools, we have everything you need to create a secure digitalworkspace for your team. And with 24/7 support and expert guidance from our experienced IT professionals, you can rest assured knowing that we’ll be there to help you every step of the way.
So if you’re looking for a trusted partner to help you harness the power of remote workforce security, schedule a consultation with Stability Networks.
