Foolproof Way to Keep Your Business Secure With A Remote Workforce
The rise in remote work has been widely embraced by employers and employees alike. However, while it comes with many benefits, remote work has also presented businesses with a new challenge in keeping data secure with a remote workforce.
For many, this is a major concern because many home offices are more vulnerable to hacking and data breaches as they don’t have security measures. Fortunately, if you’re a business owner in this situation, there are steps you can take to mitigate security risks. Read on to learn how to keep your business safe with a remote workforce:
Communicate Company Policies
Your employees must know that protecting company data is their number one priority when working from home. First, don’t assume that your employees have the same level of online security awareness at home as they do while in the office. So, implement data security and privacy trainings for all employees to convey the importance of digital safety.
Secure Home Networks & Mandate Use of VPNs
Most homes’ Wi-Fi connections are not secured. This is dangerous because the risk might come from any source, including family members connected to the network. For this reason, any connection involving your business should take place on a secure network, and your employees should not conduct any business work on public Wi-Fi or access points. That’s because sending data through an unsecured connection compromises privacy, making it easy for criminals to intercept and steal business data.
Instead, enable employees to use VPNs, which are built differently. A VPN encrypts all data transfers, thereby allowing confidential and personal data to tunnel from one device to the next while staying hidden from prying eyes. The VPN you choose for your business should come from a reputable company that doesn’t log your business’ activity. Plus, using a VPN is one of the best practices that businesses can implement to secure their data and remote workforce.
Secure Home Workstations
Your employees also need to know that, in addition to protecting their Wi-Fi and devices with passwords, the devices must have updated antivirus and anti-malware software installed. Similarly, insecure functions, such as Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), must be disabled. Also, don’t use the default logins for your Internet of Things devices (IoT). Rather, change them to something more secure.
Keep Devices Updated
Regardless of the operating system that your employee is using, remind them to install any patches and updates as these have crucial security features. Notably, as the employer, you can require all devices accessing your network to have a specific update installed.
Require Two-Factor Authentication
Have your staff set up two-factor authentication on all of their accounts. This authentication method is important because it requires anyone attempting to log into a network using your device to use the link or a verification code sent to either a mobile number or an email address. This process adds a layer of protection even if the password is compromised.
Encrypt All Emails
Your employees might know how to avoid spam and phishing emails, but hackers are improving their tactics, so remind them to stay vigilant.
Encryption is important if your customer representatives are part of your remote workforce. The customer service department handles critical customer and company information, and if your representatives are not vigilant, they could fall for a disguised email from a hacker. For this reason, encrypt all email information so only the intended recipient will see it.
Limit File Access
Assign proper roles and responsibilities. Not all of your employees need to access all of your files and applications. Once you assign the roles and responsibilities, match them with the files and applications needed to perform work duties.
Limiting file access is crucial for the safety of company data because even if a hacker compromises one employee’s account, the damage will be limited as they still won’t have access to all files and applications.
Create Data Backups
Working remotely is the best time to install a proper backup and storage solution to prevent data loss. And, the risk of data loss is much greater when employees access files via the cloud, where an accidental deletion can be detrimental to your business. To avoid this, create a good backup and storage system with periodic backup functions to guarantee maximum safety of data.
Encourage Staff to Report Suspicious Activities
Regardless of the security measures you have in place to keep your business secure with a remote workforce, accidents and human errors can happen. For instance, one of your workers might open an infected file, click a suspicious link or get tricked by a phishing scam. Help your employees feel comfortable in reporting any incident as soon as it happens for quick fixing.
Call the Professionals
If you’re still concerned about the safety of your company data while having a remote workforce, call the IT systems professionals. These teams work with your IT department to assess and evaluate your online safety strategies and then present recommendations to improve your security.
Prioritizing online security for a remote workforce is not just a necessity. It’s a critical component of maintaining business integrity and operational efficiency. The shift toward remote work has opened new avenues for flexibility and productivity, but it also comes with increased vulnerabilities. As such, implementing robust cybersecurity measures — such as multi-factor authentication, encryption, secure VPNs and regular employee training — is essential to protect sensitive data and prevent cyber threats. By fostering a culture of security awareness and investing in the right tools and protocols, businesses can safeguard their assets, maintain client trust, and ensure that their remote workforce operates in a secure and resilient environment.
