Top 7 Cybersecurity Risks of Remote Work & How to Address Them

Remote work is becoming more common, offering flexibility, convenience, and higher productivity while helping reduce office costs. It can also improve your work-life balance by cutting down on distractions. Consider joining the shift to remote work.

Working from home can increase your productivity by up to 56%.

Learn about the risks of working remotely and how to stay safe. Device and network security can be more difficult to manage outside the office. In fact, 63% of businesses have experienced data breaches linked to remote employees.

A secure and smooth remote work experience is possible. Focus on finding the right balance between convenience and security. Stay informed and address cybersecurity issues directly to protect your peace of mind.

Learn about the main cybersecurity risks of remote work and find practical ways for both employees and employers to address them.

A Practical Guide to Reducing Remote Work Risks

1. Strengthen Your Passwords and Use Multi-Factor Authentication

Use strong passwords to protect your accounts from breaches. Do not use the same password for more than one account. Remote workers should know how to safely access company systems and sensitive information from any device.

Improve your security by creating strong, unique passwords for each account and turning on multi-factor authentication (MFA). This extra step adds another layer of protection.

Employers can make access easier and safer by using automated systems and contextual MFA. These tools help streamline authentication and improve security.

2. Understand the Risks of Unsecured Wi-Fi Networks

Keep your data safe when working remotely. Avoid using unsecured Wi-Fi networks, as they can expose sensitive information.

Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to protect company data. Always turn on your VPN when connecting to public or unsecured Wi-Fi. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, keeping your data secure even on untrusted networks.

3. Watch Out for Phishing Attacks

Remote workers are often targeted by phishing attacks. Some emails and messages are designed to trick you into sharing your login details or downloading harmful files. Stay alert to these risks.

Be careful when opening emails, especially from people you do not know. Do not click on suspicious links, and always check the sender’s email address to help protect yourself from phishing attacks.

Be cautious if someone asks for sensitive information. If you are unsure, contact your IT support team to check if the request is genuine.

4. Keep Your Home Network Devices Secure

Protect Your Home Network from Vulnerabilities with IoT Devices. Protect your IoT devices by taking these essential steps: change the default passwords and keep them updated with the latest firmware. Safeguard your work devices and data by creating a separate network for your IoT devices, isolating them from potential threats. Enhance Security for Remote Teams with Endpoint Device Managers like Microsoft Intune. Simplify security management across multiple employee devices.

5. Stay Updated: The Importance of Security

Don’t compromise your cybersecurity. Keep your devices and software up to date. Remote workers, don’t overlook these updates due to busy schedules or lack of awareness. Stay ahead of cybercriminals who target outdated software to infiltrate your systems.

Turn on automatic updates for your devices and software to help protect against security risks. Check for updates regularly and install them as soon as they are available.

6. Back Up and Recover Your Data Easily

Have a strong data backup and recovery plan to protect your remote workforce. Losing important information can seriously harm your business.

Ensure the safety of your important files by backing them up to a secure cloud storage service or an external hard drive. This precautionary step guarantees the protection of your data even if a hacker breaches your device, and allows for effortless restoration.

7. The Importance of Employee Training

Make sure remote workers receive cybersecurity training. Help them understand security risks and best practices to protect against threats. Investing in employee knowledge strengthens your company’s security.

Improve your organization’s cybersecurity by providing thorough training for remote workers.

1. How to identify phishing emails

2. How to create strong passwords

3. Recognizing suspicious online behavior

4. New types of phishing, such as SMS-based 'smishing.'

Get Expert Help to Improve Your Remote Team’s Cybersecurity

Maximize the advantages of remote work while safeguarding against cybersecurity threats. Take proactive steps to mitigate risks and implement recommended security measures. If you need assistance, simply reach out to us. Call us now to book a conversation.