Cyber Security for Remote Workers

Cyber security for remote workers is something all organizations should be conscious of—especially during the end-of-year holiday season. Do you plan on working remotely or letting your employees work from home? According to the International Workplace Group, 50% of employees from around the world work remotely for about two and a half days per week. Although being able to work from the comfort of home can be a great benefit that offers flexibility to employees, it does increase cyber security risks to your organization’s data.

Chris Miller, regional director for the UK and Ireland at RSA Security, a cyber security company, states that “A new digitally enabled, dynamic workforce can operate from various locations, and these remote workers introduce new identity-assurance problems.”

How can you keep your company’s information safe?

Keep Data Secure

The Cloud

Cyber security advisers suggest storing all information and documents in the cloud. This ensures that the data stays on company servers at all times, even if an employee is working remotely.

Cyber Security Training

Make sure your employees are trained and knowledgeable of your company’s cyber security policies and procedures.

One of the biggest risks of working remotely is the use of personal devices for work. Staff should also be aware of any rules or requirements for using personal computers and tablets when working from home.

Two-step Authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a great tool for keeping your company’s data secure. It helps ensure that the right person is trying to gain access. Because passwords can be easily stolen, this added step can give an added layer of protection.

To further increase security, leveraging biometric verification can also provide additional layers of protection. However, this is generally a more costly solution due to its complexity.

Encryption

Encryption helps keep data safe. Should a device be lost or stolen, encrypting the files can help make sure the wrong person cannot access them.

Companies should also explore the possibility of leveraging programs that can encrypt chatting, email, and other applications to ensure that all sensitive information is difficult to obtain without proper access.

Firewalls, Antivirus Software, and Anti-Malware

Any employee working from home should have up-to-date firewalls, antivirus software, and anti-malware on all their devices that contain company information. In addition, organizations can look into getting software that allows them to wipe information off devices remotely.

Working from home does not have to threaten your data’s security. As long as employees are educated and follow proper procedures, the cyber security risks that come with remote working can be mitigated.

Cyber Security for Your Company

Having the right tools and systems in place can prevent data breaches and cyber crimes. As the world becomes more automated, it’s crucial for your organization to understand the available cyber security measures to protect its data and devices. Cyber Security Tools for Today’s Environment, an online 11-course program from IEEE, helps businesses improve their security techniques.

Contact a specialist today to get access to the course program for your organization.

Interested in learning about getting access to the course for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network to learn more.

Resources

Murphy, Hannah. (8 December 2019). How remote working increases cyber security risks. Financial Times.

Spawn, Laurn. (11 December 2019). 6 Ways to Keep Employer Data Secure When Working Remotely. CMS Wire.