Best practices to minimise cyber risks for remote workers

Thom van Hoof - 27 July 2023

What is remote work?

Remote work is an arrangement where employees perform tasks outside the traditional office setting, often from home or other remote locations. It relies on communication technology to collaborate with colleagues and fulfil work responsibilities. Moreover, it offers flexibility and less need for physical presence in a central workspace.

Cyber security risks with remote work

Under the remote work paradigm, professionals and businesses should know that using personal devices or operating on unsecured networks can heighten their susceptibility to cyber criminals. Therefore, it’s crucial to address the following five common cyber security risks associated with remote work:

Phishing attacks
In remote work, phishing remains a prevalent threat, with cyber criminals using deceptive emails to extract sensitive information or deliver malware.

Unsecured Wi-Fi networks
Connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks opens the door to potential eavesdropping and unauthorised access to sensitive data.

Weak passwords and authentication
Weak or reused passwords can be easily exploited by attackers, leading to unauthorised access to accounts and company systems.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
Using personal devices for work can expose an organisation to security vulnerabilities if those devices lack proper security measures or are not regularly updated.

Inadequate endpoint protection
Devices are more susceptible to malware and other cyber threats without up-to-date antivirus software and endpoint protection.

These risks highlight the importance of implementing robust cyber security measures and enforcing policies to safeguard employees and protect sensitive data in remote work. Proactively addressing these challenges ensures a secure work environment, shielding the workforce and valuable assets from cyber threats.

Four best practices to minimise remote work security risks

With cyber threats continuously evolving, it is essential to implement proactive measures to minimise potential vulnerabilities. That’s why we compiled a list of best practices you can apply:

Utilise secure communication tools
Use encrypted messaging apps or platforms with end-to-end encryption to safeguard sensitive data from unauthorised access. In addition, consider implementing virtual private networks (VPNs). It will establish secure connections between remote workers and company resources, shielding data from potential threats.

Avoid cyber attacks and data breaches
Staying up-to-date about cyber threats, such as phishing and social engineering, is crucial for personal and professional security. Recognising suspicious emails, avoiding clicking on unknown links, and promptly reporting incidents will help protect yourself and your data. Being proactive and a vigilant mindset reduces the risk of falling victim to cyber crime.

Secure data backup and storage
Regularly save your work on with solid encryption and redundant backups. It ensures critical data remains protected and accessible, even in the face of hardware failures, malware infections, or accidental deletions. In return, it will empower you to work with peace of mind and boost productivity.

Establish remote work security policies
You should develop comprehensive guidelines for remote work data protection and regulations. Emphasise safe handling, transmission, and storage of sensitive data and implement access controls and authentication to restrict unauthorised access. Enforcing these policies will strengthen your cyber security.

Regular security audits and incident response readiness

Strengthen your remote work security by conducting regular security audits to assess the effectiveness of existing measures and identify potential vulnerabilities. These audits should evaluate the implementation of security policies, adherence to best practices, and the overall security posture.

Create a well-defined incident response plan to ensure a swift and effective response in case of a cyber incident. You can establish this by assigning clear roles and regular testing through simulated scenarios. Applying periodic review and refinement will ensure agility and better defence against emerging cyber threats.

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