With so many employees working from home, organizational IT security is stretched thin. It is important that you know how to maintain operational integrity while prioritizing security when your whole staff is working remotely.
Here are three variables you should consider when deploying a remote workforce.
Employee-Owned Devices
Deploying employee devices to meet your business demands is a risky proposition unless you have the right security measures in place. You will want to give your employees the technology that will give them the best chance to succeed; and, won’t cause any unnecessary problems for your data and network security. This is largely because of the way people utilize their personal PCs.
On a workstation, people are told which software to use and stick to those titles, but on a person’s personal PC they have all types of software that your network administrator is unfamiliar with. This software, on a personal PC, may not be updated and patched, leaving open vulnerabilities that could very easily become major problems for your company.
Since most people working from home are using a personal device, you need a way to protect your company’s assets from the security gaps some personal PCs present. Establishing a formal BYOD security policy is an essential first step. Providing remote access software is another option: it allows users to remote into their office workstation and use company resources exactly as they would from their desk.
The one problem with remote access software is that it is often targeted by cybercriminals. You will want to ramp up network security and require enhanced authentication procedures when allowing personal computers to access business resources remotely.
Insecure Connections
In the same vein, when working remotely, some employees will be using shared networks. This can cause your IT administrator a lot of headaches. Most users have not set up network and cybersecurity resources that are as comprehensive as the ones the business maintains.
For this reason, your employees’ networks are typically much less secure. Even the networking hardware they rely on, often their only line of defense, falls short when the firmware running on it is not kept up to date. CISA’s telework security guidance outlines concrete steps organizations can take to reduce the risks that home networks introduce.
User Behaviors
Arguably the most important variable here is the user. At home, on a personal PC, employees are far more likely to do things they would never consider doing on a company workstation in the office.
Adding to that, without the constant security reminders they receive at work, they are less likely to follow best practices as the boundary between home and office blurs. You need to make clear that working from home does not exempt anyone from the security practices they have been trained on. Remind them of the dangers of phishing attacks and emphasize how important it is to be vigilant about every link they click.
Employee misconduct is also worth addressing. Some employees, given an inch, will take a mile. It is important to monitor activity and security events closely enough to ensure employees are doing their work and that their behavior aligns with your policies.
By and large, remote workers can maintain strong productivity levels, but the right security guardrails need to be in place to protect your business while they do.
Strengthen Your Remote Workforce Security Before a Problem Occurs
Remote and hybrid work are now permanent features of the business landscape, and the security risks they introduce are not going away. Whether your concern is employee-owned devices, unsecured home networks, or risky user behavior, WheelHouse IT can help you build the proactive security framework your team needs to stay protected wherever they work.
Start with a free network risk assessment to identify your current vulnerabilities, or reach out to speak with one of our consultants today.
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