Evolving technology has changed — or destroyed, rather — the concept of the modern office. More and more employees can work remotely from home or a different location of their choosing.
The availability of remote work can be a key selling point for any business that is looking to recruit top talent. After all, who wouldn't want the convenience and cost savings of sparing themselves from an arduous commute into work?
However, remote work does present its share of cyber security concerns for a company. It's easier to oversee an employee's activity when they are inside the confines of your office walls, but when they're working remotely the risks become greater.
The following is a brief look at some of the primary cyber security concerns for remote workers and what you can do to make sure that your remote workforce doesn't compromise your company's sensitive data.
Common mistakes remote workers commit
The following are habits maintained by many remote workers that make them a liability to your company's cyber security efforts.
- Using personal devices instead of those provided and managed by the business. This can create a little bit of a mess when sensitive information is transferred between the company and personal devices. However, this isn't necessarily a forbidden practice. If your business adopts a solid strategy that addresses the use of personal devices, you can keep information safe.
- Connecting to an unsecured WiFi network. When many at-home workers want a change of scenery, they might head down to the local coffee shop or even the library. Using public WiFi networks to handle sensitive information is opening the door for hackers or cyber thieves to spy on your activity.
- Fail to physically secure information. Let's not forget about the prospect of laptops, Smartphones or even sheets of paper being stolen from your home office or if you're working out in public. Losing or misplacing important information or equipment can allow it to fall into the wrong hands easily.
If you're someone that works from home, make sure you avoid these typical pitfalls and take measures to keep business information safe.
Basic solutions to secure your network
Remote work doesn't have to be a liability for your business. Many solutions can make it just as safe and secure as working in an office.
A VPN, for instance, allows remote workers to benefit from a secure connection, even when they are connected to an unsecured WiFi network. Employees will benefit from the convenience of connecting to the company's private network while making sure that the information does not fall into the wrong hands.
Investing in other methods of data security, like a firewall, is also wise while remote workers will want to keep up with the same cyber security practices they maintained inside the office, like creating strong passwords and securely storing them.
Put a pen to paper when it comes to your cyber security plan
Many businesses seamlessly facilitate remote workers without any cyber security issues — and your business can, too. Just make sure that you understand the risks that come with work of this fashion and consult with competent IT professionals that will help you avoid any issues.
