How to Protect Remote Workers from Hackers

With the arrival of COVID-19 and lockdown orders, more companies than ever before are employing remote workforces. Since many businesses are staying afloat during this transition, it seems that this trend may eventually turn into the new normal. But any new change brings with it unique challenges, and your company will be responsible for managing the safety of your remote workers and your valuable data.

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While you may have had some data security measures in place at the office, having employees out of your sight may require more attention along with stricter measures. Let’s talk about how to educate your employees about common cybersecurity threats, as well as a few protocols that should be put in place today.

Start With the Basics

Before you begin to think about advanced security options for your remote team, you need to start with the basics. That begins with effective passwords on all systems that include a complicated combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Passwords should be changed on a regular basis, and if an employee leaves the company, their account access should be eliminated immediately.

Next, ensure that you have access to all employee computers so you can install the proper firewalls and antivirus software to create that first line of defense. Virus scans should be run on a weekly basis, and the software should be updated regularly, so you are defending against the newest threats. Scans should be conducted on all computer files while also scanning incoming emails and unfamiliar websites.

Protecting customer data is the number one priority, so all systems should have adequate backups where information can be recovered if it is ever lost. Backup servers should be separate from the mainframe so they cannot also be hacked in the same strike. Finally, have all outgoing data encrypted, so even if it is stolen, it cannot be used or read. An easier way to encrypt that data is by using a Virtual Private Network, which immediately encrypts all data.

Common Threats

Hackers are fully aware that more people are now working from home, and they also know that when employees are under less scrutiny, they may make simple security mistakes. That is why cybercriminals are relying on their old tricks to get new victims. As their employer, you need to remind your staff of common threats and how to avoid them so they can take this knowledge wherever they go.

One of the most prevalent scams is the phishing email, which almost looks like legitimate correspondence, but usually includes a link or attachment that, when clicked or opened, can unleash malicious malware onto the system. Phishing emails are also designed to create an emotional response so they can appear to be from a figure of authority, like a government agency or your boss. Phishing scams can be successfully avoided as long as employees know the signs:

• Email messages with spelling mistakes in the subject or body.
• An email that looks to be official but is from a common email service like Gmail or Yahoo.
• An email of urgency that you are not expecting.
• Emails promising software that will improve your computer (do not download).

Another common threat is the man-in-the-middle attack, which is a fake Wi-Fi account set up in a public place like a restaurant or coffee shop. It will look like the real deal so the victim will connect to it, which basically connects them directly to the hacker. This can be a real threat for remote workers, so they must always ask the business owner or an employee for the real account.

Employees should be informed that if they believe that they are the victim of these common threats that they inform their IT team immediately.

Put Security Policies in Place

Sometimes, the best way to ensure security and educate the team is to put policies in place that must be followed by all employees, or they risk trouble with HR. You can start by having security training at the start of employment and then having the attendees sign a waiver saying that they understand the cyber threats, and they will do their best to avoid them. Then enact some basic policies like requiring that computers be locked when not in use and stating that they should shut down their computer at the end of each shift.

Since many employees will be using mobile devices to complete their work, creating a mobile device action plan is one of the keys to properly securing your business’s data. That can include requiring that all phones and tablets utilize two-factor authentication, which is essentially a second code or fingerprint in addition to their password. The plan can also deny the ability to use public Wi-Fi or that they cannot install any apps without corporate approval.

Better yet, the company can require that their employees only use company-provided laptops that have all antivirus software and encryption activated. Go one step further and provide this hardware to your employees. Thus, you can fully control the software that is downloaded to and updated on these devices. The employer can also create restrictions for internet use, so workers cannot access websites outside of their job duties. Finally, implement a policy that prevents the connection of external devices like printers or flash drives, thus eliminating another entry point of hackers.

We are entering a new age of remote work, so it is time to jump on the bandwagon. Just make sure to take the proper security precautions now, so that you won’t be sorry later.