The global pandemic became the catalyst of online threats related to the shift of people worldwide to remote work. Financially-motivated criminals understood that remote work means lower control over financial organizations’ employees on the side of information security services. Although remote work is not a new phenomenon, it was in 2020 when the companies had to handle the arisen demands at high speed to prevent drastic changes from happening. To give you a clearer picture, let’s make a quick recap of the basic cybersecurity issues businesses face because of remote workers.

1. Access to corporate networks via unsecured home WiFi networks

It is often when an employee decides to work from the cafe or another public space while connecting to corporate networks using their work emails. Besides, some at-home WiFi connections might be unprotected as well, causing much trouble for the company. Such negligence of basic security rules enables criminals to access the connections and steal personal information effortlessly. Employees should connect to unfamiliar WiFi networks only if they use a VPN; in other cases, the unencrypted data sent via the usual network can be easily stolen.

2. Usage of personal devices for work

A great deal of the employees has transferred work-related files from their corporate devices to personal ones. Such seemingly harmless actions lead to a multitude of risks. A laptop with confidential data might be stolen, or when quitting the job, a person might leave corporate information on one’s device.

3. Violation of confidential treatments in the working process

Some employees neglect basic safety and confidentiality rules when they discuss important work-related questions via phone. Also, when working in a public space, some might sit in the way that other people can see their laptops’ monitors. Besides, employees might believe nobody would come near their devices if they leave them unblocked to go get some coffee. It is not about trust in other people; it is about protecting the company’s projects and preventing any possible data leaks.

4. Utilization of third-party tools and platforms

Usually, companies protect their corporate devices, like computers or laptops, from the free installation of any third-party tools and platforms, the security of which is not confirmed by the company. Thus, to install anything, an employee needs to receive the technical department’s permission because such activities could be done only with the administrator’s permit. A person might be using poorly-protected messenger, keep files on a little-known cloud platform, or use non-approved products. Such cases are the cornerstones of data leaks, which already are not low by their nature.

Turning to the article’s question, cybersecurity can be ensured by professional developers who can detect any threats and address them before they cause any troubles. In this case, a business should be confident in the mentioned employees’ skills. Speaking of which, Qubit Labs is a company known as a reliable provider of offshore cybersecurity development services that has gained a solid reputation over the years of its fruitful and flawless performance in the market.

Thus, if your business lacks cybersecurity, make sure to recruit experienced employees who could keep your company’s data secure or use the services of an offshore development vendor to save your time on hiring candidates.

How to Increase Cybersecurity of Remote Employees?

If your organization doesn’t have a set of cybersecurity policies, now is the best time to create at least some basic recommendations. These rules should cover the questions of remote access to the company’s systems and their usage by the employees. It is necessary to educate the coworkers about the information that plays a vital role in a company and can’t be compromised. Now, let’s jump to the important recommendations and advice regarding ensuring cybersecurity in terms of work from home.

Authentication and authorization

Although multi-factor authorization might be time-consuming, it increases data security multiple times because when it comes to remote work, one should be mindful of creating reliable passwords. Employees should be educated on how to use secure firewalls and identification tools. It is necessary to use software that can help to automate the processes and give employees access to different levels of technologies.

Protection of communication channels and collaborative apps

Multiple companies often rely on popular messengers for collaborative work, including Slack, WhatsApp, and Hangouts, yet, they can’t guarantee secure corporate usage. Thus, the data transmitted through the mentioned platforms won’t be as safe as you want it to be. Instead, focus on those that offer encrypted messaging and include security settings you can change per your needs.

Attention to email

Nobody has cancelled phishing yet, and cyber outlaws use this method to achieve computer contaminants. They send harmful codes to their “victims” to commit theft of the company’s confidential information.

Safety of corporate devices

You will ensure security by providing corporate devices to all the employees because, in this case, the equipment is under technical support’s control. However, there are cases when an employee doesn’t have a choice and has to use personal devices for work-related tasks. At the very least, a coworker’s laptop or computer has to be tested to detect basic vulnerabilities. Moreover, it might be practical to limit opportunities for copying information on personal equipment.

Security of network connections

Your employees should be engaged to use VPN when connecting to the organization’s internal network. This helps to prevent a vast number of attacks. Also, ensure additional security levels by implementing multi-factor authentication, and don’t forget to check for your VPN updates.      

Wrapping Up

Thus, it won’t be hard to make the employees follow the mentioned cybersecurity rules because they know it will ensure your company’s safety. We live in an ever-changing environment, so it is better to be on the safe side when it comes to your business. In case your team doesn’t have the professionals who can face and manage cybersecurity threats, make sure to hire the best.