Remote work was definitively consolidated with the new Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, which accelerated digital transformation and changed the way companies manage team productivity.
Although the changes provide benefits, paying particular attention to security for remote work is necessary.
After all, cybercriminals are adopting bolder methods that seek to take full advantage of the vulnerabilities of employees and equipment adopted outside an organization’s headquarters. Undeniably, it is a situation that requires a great effort to improve data protection mechanisms with agility and efficiency.
This article will address seven critical initiatives for any institution to raise information security when investing in telecommuting. Check out!
The Importance Of Remote Work Security
As much as remote work provides comfort, engagement and productivity, this service delivery model needs a close look at protecting devices, systems and corporate files. Without focus, the probability of suffering a large-scale virtual attack will be very high.
Regardless of the business format, an investment must be made in solutions and people to have more security in remote work. Just offering access to employees to carry out activities outside the office is a mistake that should be avoided as much as possible.
After all, it is essential to strengthen data protection due to increased cyber attacks during the pandemic. According to a survey, virtual attacks against national companies grew by 220% in the first half of 2021 compared to the same period of the previous year.
Undoubtedly, it is a number that causes a lot of concern among IT managers because it is a trend that is unlikely to be reversed, as cyber criminals know that the chances of success are increasing.
Remote Work Security In The Current Scenario
For survival reasons, many corporations were forced to opt for remote work. One of the reasons was the need to maintain activities, reducing the risks of contagion to its employees by the new Coronavirus.
Even with the vaccination allowing a gradual return to activities, many companies kept employees in environments other than the headquarters. The reason is that this work model helps to reduce expenses (rent, energy, water, etc.) and offers more comfort and mobility to employees without compromising the quality of services.
On the other hand, improving security for remote work is crucial. According to research, there was a more than 100% expansion in the number of attacks on mobile devices at the beginning of the pandemic.
It is interesting to encourage the use of smartphones and tablets with a focus on better team performance. But this action must be accompanied by measures that minimize vulnerabilities and considerably reduce the possibilities of a cyber attack.
Practices To Ensure Safety In Remote Work
IT managers know it is essential to prioritize continuous improvement in mechanisms to prevent intrusions. Thinking about it, let’s point out four procedures that collaborate to raise the level of data protection and take advantage of the advantages provided by the home office. Follow!
User Awareness
Employees are vital in the search for more security in remote work. After all, they need to take several actions to minimize flaws that cybercriminals can take advantage of.
For this to be viable, a good way is to promote awareness campaigns that point out best practices and the damage caused by a virtual attack. Corporate education is essential as it gives employees more knowledge, which is crucial to minimize the risk of damage to services due to cyberattacks.
Security For Personal Devices
Many institutions opt for the BYOD policy, which encourages using personal equipment to carry out professional tasks. However, this must be done by adopting transparent and efficient procedures that help ensure more security for remote work.
A corporation benefits from providing more freedom of action for employees, but it must do so with common sense and following the best data protection practices.
Network Access
Because the employees are in a different location from the institutional headquarters, it is recommended that great care be exercised in accessing the corporate network. In addition to adopting a strong password, the employee needs to follow other procedures to minimize risks, such as avoiding the use of Wi-Fi in places where there are no guarantees of a high level of security and the service of VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), establishing a private and secure connection between the employee and the organization’s network.
Multi Factor Authentication
The more care a company has with information security, the greater the chances of taking full advantage of the home office. This is undoubtedly a great reason to bet on multi factor authentication, which requires other requirements to access the corporate network besides the traditional login and password. An example is sending a code via SMS to gain access to IT resources.
With reasonable security solutions and procedures for remote work, it is possible to keep the environment well protected against cyber attacks. Not prioritizing this objective is a failure that can cause severe financial and image damage in the short term.
Also Read: Learn To Identify Flaws In Data Security
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