Convenience may be the main benefit of the rise in remote work, but what’s its greatest challenge? In a recent survey of business owners, 72% of respondents were very concerned or somewhat concerned about the online security risks of remote workers.
It isn’t an irrational fear. Data breaches linked to remote work cost over $1.07 million more than in-office breaches. An insecure home connection can allow cybercriminals to access an entire organization’s network.
This isn’t the only factor to consider. The cost of a beach is about more than money. It also damages your business’s reputation and exposes client data.
Read on to learn ways to protect personal data in remote work.
Cybersecurity Challenges for Remote Work
Working online in an office and at home may not seem that different, but they are in many ways. The differences make keeping up with remote work cybersecurity even more important.
Remote workers may use unsecured devices or networks. They may also be especially vulnerable to scams.
Unsecured Home or Public Networks
Challenges in home network security start with home networks. They often don’t use the same robust security measures that an office network would have. This leaves them more vulnerable to cyberattacks and data breaches.
Remote workers also often go into public places such as libraries or cafes that use public Wi-Fi. These insecure networks are vulnerable to attacks by anyone else in the building.
Using Personal Devices
Remote workers use personal devices that others may have access to. They may share them with friends and family. They may accidentally leave them behind after work.
The devices may not have the right security software installed. Workers may also not have the proper training to use them securely.
Accessing and Sharing Sensitive Data
Remote workers often have to share sensitive information. Doing this on unsecured networks or personal devices can leave it exposed.
They can also access the networks that house these data. It’s risky on an unsecured personal device. If they leave their device unattended, cybercriminals can piggyback off them.
Phishing and Social Engineering Attacks
Hackers and cybercriminals are aware of the rise in remote work. They also know the vulnerabilities it creates and how to exploit them.
They may target remote workers. Malware and phishing emails are only the beginning. Social engineering involves earning their trust. It can give them access to organizational systems or sensitive data.
Legal Considerations
Remote work cybersecurity isn’t only about keeping data safe. It’s also about staying legally compliant.
The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act applies across the state. Depending on your business, other data protection laws you may need to follow include:
- GDPR
- HIPPA
- FTC
- VCDPA
- CCPA
Regulations also govern privacy rights and personal data protection for remote workers. They govern how data will be collected, stored, and monitored.
Businesses are legally required to take all necessary measures to prevent breaches. This includes reporting any suspicious activity as soon as possible.
Failure to meet these requirements can result in major penalties or lawsuits for employees and businesses.
Best Practices for Protecting Personal Data in Remote Work Environments
Data is a business’s most valuable resource, and protecting personal data is one of a worker’s most important tasks.
It starts with creating a secure connection and managing who has access to it. Then, the right tools can maintain security and protect data.
Require VPNs for Remote Workers
A regularly updated and strong password isn’t always enough, especially when users can log in from anywhere. That’s why you should implement virtual private networks or VPNs for remote workers.
Advise them to encrypt sensitive data. It turns information into an unreadable format. Anyone who wanted to access it would need the key to decrypt it.
Password Management and Multi-Factor Authentication
Password management involves two major steps. The first is creating strong passwords for any access points that are difficult to guess. The second is storing them in a secure place. A dedicated password manager is one of the best options.
MFA or multi-factor authentication is an effective backup plan. It requires another authentication method, such as a text or an authenticator app. It ensures proper access control. Only those who are meant to access a network or data can, even if the passwords are compromised.
Regular Security Training
As many as 95 out of every 100 cyber breaches result from human error. The best way to prevent this is regular cybersecurity training.
It needs to go beyond basic digital safety tips. Create a businesswide culture of security where everyone knows what to do with the information they can access.
Educate them on the latest best practices for securing remote work environments. Teach workers how to promptly report any suspicious activity.
Secure Communication Tools
Businesses should provide remote workers with laptops and mobile devices. They should have the latest and best security features installed. It removes the issue created by using unsecured devices at home.
Use secure communication tools and platforms. They should have end-to-end encryption to protect anything being said or shared.
Constant Monitoring
Developing a cyber threat defense strategy is like guarding a castle. You must always be on the lookout for the first sign of an attack. Seeing these signs allows you to stop it before it starts.
Conduct regular cybersecurity audits and vulnerability assessments to identify threats. Regularly update and patch security software to resolve new vulnerabilities.
Protect anywhere data could end up. Use endpoint protection solutions to monitor all devices connected to the business network.
How TruePoint Systems Can Help
The rise of remote work has also increased the risk of cyberattacks. Follow cybersecurity best practices such as using secure connections, creating strong passwords, and constantly monitoring your networks.
TruePoint Systems was founded to meet the challenges created by the new working landscape. Not having a strong plan in place for all types of workers can lead to breaches. They ruin reputations and cause significant downtime and financial losses.
We’re a leading Longview, Texas cybersecurity company. We provide a holistic approach to cover all your needs with affordable, effective software and hardware. Contact us to get started today.
