While companies worldwide are seeing the benefits of enabling employees to work remotely, having remote workers also carries new challenges. One of those is making sure cybersecurity is sustained. Here are a few keyways in which cybersecurity for the company and remote workers can stay protected.
Develop a data security policy
Create a data security policy and implement it. It is best to collaborate with managers and the Information Technology department to design a model that works best for your company. The policy needs to contain the best practices for managing company data, the security protocols employees are expected to comply with, and how the company can support this policy.
Make sure to use a VPN
A VPN should be used by employees who operate remotely. A VPN server increases online privacy. All your internet traffic is encrypted with a VPN, making it unreadable to anyone who intercepts it. Ensure that employees only use the VPN for work and remote access to company information systems.
Do not use public Wi-Fi
Most household Wi-Fi setups are now reasonably secure. When working away from the physical business office, staff should be informed that unprotected local Wi-Fi connections in cafes and public places are ideal targets for unauthorized parties looking to monitor internet traffic and gather sensitive data.
Secure home routers
Employees should take simple steps to secure their home network to prevent fraudulent parties from accessing connected devices. An excellent first step is to change the router password (it should be long and strong). Many people do not modify the password on their home router when it is first set up, leaving their network vulnerable.
Always use unique and strong passwords
It is more critical than ever to use strong passwords to safeguard all accounts. However, many people are still using the same password for various accounts. This means that a thief only needs one compromised password to access all of their accounts.
Best practices for unique and strong passwords include:
• Using random words and letters.
• Combining letters and numbers.
• Using both uppercase and lowercase characters.
When employees enter company applications and systems from their own devices, “remember password” features should always be switched off.
Ensure two-step authentication for accounts
Having strong passwords is not always enough when a worker’s credentials are compromised in a data breach. Two-factor authentication, also known as two-step verification, adds an extra layer of security to an employee’s account. An extra step may be a confirmation email or text message or a biometric mechanism like facial recognition or fingerprint scanning.
Always create backups
All critical information must be backed up regularly. In the worst-case scenario, employees could be infected with malware. Without a backup, all is lost. Storing a backup of information in the cloud is one of the most accessible and cost-effective solutions to ensure vital files are backed up.
Install firewalls
Firewalls serve as a protective barrier to keep threats out of your company’s network. They establish a barricade between your employees’ devices and the internet by shutting communication ports. It can help prevent dangerous apps from entering and data from employee devices from leaking. The operating systems on your employee devices will almost always have a firewall.
Practice data encryption
When employees need to share sensitive information with coworkers, they should use encryption software that is up to date. You may have to find new source choices if your organization does not already supply secure communication ways. End-to-end encryption is standard or optional in many mainstream messaging systems.
Install antivirus software
Make sure your antivirus software is up to date. Even if malware manages to get onto an employee’s device, antivirus software may be able to stop it. However, a firewall will help, but attackers will always find a way in. Antivirus software can operate as the following security line by detecting and preventing known malware.
Final Thoughts
By implementing these techniques, businesses will protect their data and workers’ devices from malware attacks or even data loss. Cybersecurity is essential nowadays; companies should implement these techniques to ensure smooth remote working operations. To learn more or to have Computing Technology Solutions assist you with any or all of the above steps to make sure you are protected from a Cybersecurity standpoint, contact Frank Stephens at [email protected] or 847-894-6304.