Remote work has its benefits. It allows you to choose from a wider talent pool, improves diversity and is preferred by many employees. However, a distributed workforce presents cybersecurity challenges.
Here are some ways to help you protect your company’s sensitive data when your employees might be logging on from their home...or the beach.
Use VPNs
Virtual private networks are one of the best ways to protect your data. Employees should be required to use a VPN any time they log on from a location other than your office, regardless of device. The VPN encrypts all of the data being sent, making it much harder for a third party to intercept communications, and makes public or hotel WiFi far safer. It can slow the connection down, but the security a VPN provides is worth it.
Avoid "Bring Your Own Device"
Employees should be required to use their work-provided laptop, not their personal computer, tablet or cellphone. They should be trained never to let anyone else, including children, use their work computer. All tech support should be provided by company IT and employees should not try to fix technical issues themselves (unless they are the IT department).
Use Encrypted Communications
Remote work often means that information that would be discussed behind closed doors in a physical office is passed over the internet. You should encrypt all email and text-based communication, as well as video calls. Make sure the software you use uses and supports end-to-end encryption. All email should be encrypted, otherwise hackers can easily tell which messages are valuable.
Train Employees
Train employees in basic cyber hygiene. Employees should be trained not to click on links in email, but navigate to the site directly, check through another means of communication before opening attachments or sending sensitive information or money, and not to work on sensitive data in public. Remind them of the importance of not leaving work devices unattended, including in hotel rooms.
For more cybersecurity tips, or help developing network solutions that will protect your data and your employees' privacy when working remotely, contact Kota today. Our IT solutions provide brick-and-mortar businesses, or remote companies, the ease to operate securely.