The coronavirus pandemic has reshaped the business world on an unprecedented scale. There’s no industry that didn’t face the consequences of the rapid spread of the novel virus. While some companies went out of business, many of them shifted to the remote work culture to sustain their operations during the pandemic. All the same, fifty-six percent of employees are using their devices for remote working due to COVID-19. It is believed that by considering a hybrid work approach, companies can secure their data and even flourish in a better way.
Top Hybrid Work Strategies For 2021
Here are the best hybrid work practices for managing a remote workforce:
Migrate To the Cloud
Top IT companies have started using cloud services these days. Migrating to the cloud means switching from your on-premise business hardware to cloud providers like Google Cloud services that manage remotely manage IT infrastructure on your behalf. It involves moving all applications, data, and information to a cloud architecture. Cloud offers greater security than traditional on-premise systems.
It’s extremely useful when managing a remote workforce as your business network is exposed to more devices.On the other hand, you can enroll in coding bootcamp and work with a reliable managed Security-as-a-Service (S-a-a-S) provider to further strengthen online security and safeguard your network against cyber-attacks.
Bring-Your-Own-Device Security Policy
All the same, Bring-Your-Own-Device (B-Y-O-D) is a growing trend among many businesses, especially in the IT sector. It provides greater flexibility and mobility to the workforce and reduces hardware expense and software licensing costs, making it a win-win for remote workers and employers. But cybersecurity becomes a major concern when employees use their assets.
Therefore, companies have started enacting BYOD security policies to exercise some form of control and mitigate online security risks. These policies are designed to protect users from a range of attacks, leading hackers to sensitive company data. Here are some essential elements of a robust BYOD security policy:
- Established security requirements: The company should specify security requirements that every remote worker should follow, like keeping their laptop password-protected, using a secured network connection, connecting to the company service via a VPN, running antivirus, keeping the firewall turned on, etc.
- Registration with the IT department: Registering the device with the network administrator can help maximize cybersecurity. They can identify the registered device to authorized safe access. Moreover, they can facilitate remote workers in troubleshooting network problems.
- Mobile – device supervision: If a device is compromised or stolen, the IT personnel can remotely wipe off the device, remove any sensitive information and lock the device to prevent access inside the system.
A well-planned B-Y-O-D policy allows organizations to develop a regulated and secured environment, minimizing the risk of cybersecurity breaches.
Updating Hardware and Software Inventory
When you have a large workforce of remote employees connected to the business network, it’s crucial to keep tabs on all the connected devices to ensure no unauthorized device has gained access inside the system. Therefore, you must keep your hardware and software inventory updated for safety monitoring.
You must identify and record all digital assets and devices connected to the system regularly. Ensure all employees are only allowed access through devices registered with the IT department to prevent cybercriminals from infiltrating the system. Also, encourage them to a closed system will discourage hackers and keep sensitive business data protected.
Install Multi-Factor Authentication (M-F-A)
Multi-Factor Authentication (M-F-A), sometimes called Two-Factor Authentication (2-F-A), adds strengthens the security of your network. Adding an MFA will require remote workers to verify their identity via a code sent to their smartphone and email or a physical token like a security U-S-B key. Instituting MFA may seem like a hassle, but it can be highly useful to combat unauthorized access. Even if the hacker manages to get access to the device, they won’t be able to enter the system without the 2-F-A code.
Phishing
Phishing is a common hacking technique used to steal user information by concealing malicious viruses as trustworthy content. However, the hacker attempt to trick users into clicking a malicious link or download a file that contains malware. Remote workers should be educated about MyCAA approved programs and instructed not to open any suspicious email or links. While employing advanced security measures can significantly reduce the chances of malicious files passing through, employee awareness remains the best line of defense against phishing attempts orchestrated by cybercriminals.
Train Employees on Cybersecurity Best Practices
Employees are the largest security vulnerability in any business, more so when they’re working remotely. Ideally, cyber awareness should be part of the onboarding process and continue to be an ongoing process. You must formulate detailed security guidelines for your employees and highlight best practices to protect themselves against cyberattacks. Here are the best cybersecurity practices that you must teach every remote worker in your organization:
- Secure password: Using weak passwords like “123456” and “password” makes devices more susceptible to hacking. It’s crucial to choose a secure password that can’t easily be guessed or cracked via software.
- Unsecured devices: Some remote workers see no harm in using an unsecured personal device to check work emails or access a file quickly, but it can give hackers a window to swoop into the system and access sensitive data.
- Unsecured networks: Many cybercriminals count on people using unsecured networks in a café and restaurant to hack into the victim’s system to steal confidential data. Therefore, remote workers mustn’t connect to the network via an unsafe network. You may consider providing them portable internet devices.
- Virtual Private Networks: Remote workers should be given access to a paid virtual private network (V-P-N) to protect their data online. VPNs bolster a device’s security and control. It also ensures users’ data remains anonymous, and the company information is remotely accessible with maximum security.
- Keeping the device locked: Remote workers must be instructed always to lock their devices when not in use. It will ensure no one else can access the sensitive data from their device.
The Current Scenario
Most IT departments instructed remote workers to be cautious of suspicious emails, install antivirus, and keep the system updated. In light of this paradigm change, remote workers are the primary targets of cybersecurity threats. Hackers attempt to take advantage of weak security in the personal device to gain unauthorized access inside their system and access the company’s sensitive information.