Remote work has proven incredibly useful over the past few years, offering flexibility and efficiency for many businesses. However, with these benefits come significant cybersecurity challenges that must not be overlooked. If your business utilizes remote operations and you aren’t concerned about cybersecurity, it’s time to rethink your approach.

How Does Remote Work Influence Cybersecurity?

Remote work expands your business's operational footprint, making cybersecurity more challenging. Imagine your business as a house with multiple doors. The more doors you have, the more you must ensure they’re securely locked. Similarly, the more devices connecting remotely to your network, the more potential vulnerabilities you introduce.

While remote and hybrid work models offer undeniable advantages, they also come with increased risks that need to be managed. Let’s explore the specific security challenges remote work brings and how you can address them.

Essential Protections for Secure Remote Operations

Understanding the risks that remote work introduces is crucial for determining the necessary protections. Some key threats include:

1. Insecure Connections and Unauthorized Devices

When employees access company data from outside the network, it often occurs over less secure connections or on unauthorized devices. To mitigate this, implementing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is essential. A VPN encrypts data in transit, creating a secure tunnel between the remote device and your business network. Adopting a zero-trust approach can further enhance security by ensuring that only authorized users and devices can access specific data.

2. Lack of Cybersecurity Awareness Among Remote Employees

Your team—whether in the office or working remotely—must be trained in cybersecurity best practices. They need to understand the threats your business faces and how to respond effectively. Regular training and clear policies regarding remote work security are crucial for maintaining a strong security posture.

3. Unmanaged and Unmaintained Devices

Devices used by employees to access your network must be monitored and maintained, especially those outside your business environment. This ensures that all security patches are applied and that these devices are free from vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers.

4. Storing Company Data Outside the Network

For both security and operational efficiency, all company data should be stored centrally within your network. Data kept on individual devices is inherently less secure and may not be accessible to other team members who need it. Ensuring centralized data storage helps protect against data loss and unauthorized access.

This is Just the Beginning… Let Us Help You Secure the Rest

Cybersecurity is a complex and ever-evolving field, made even more challenging by the introduction of remote work. This blog post only scratches the surface of what’s necessary to keep your business secure. We’d love to sit down with you, evaluate your unique situation, and help address your biggest cybersecurity concerns.

Don’t let the benefits of remote work come at the cost of your business’s security. Reach out to us at 520-545-0691 to discuss how we can help you protect your operations while still achieving your business goals.