In the post-COViD-19 era, it looks like organizations will adopt hybrid workplace standards. Continuation of remote work may work in favor of employees, but it makes workflow susceptible to more cybersecurity threats.

Phishing, spoofing, and compromised emails are one of the many ways that put your network at risk. Since most employees use their own devices or machines, it makes the engagement and communication on online tools riskier.

Let’s take a look at the best cybersecurity practices that would allow organizations to ensure top-notch protection for remote workforces:

Review Security Parameters of Your Business

Remote workforces can result in new vulnerabilities and challenges for the network. The trick is to reevaluate your risks to make your cybersecurity strategy more efficient. For instance, make sure there are no unprotected endpoints and weak password management or requirements.

You should also reassess outdated software, urgent patches or updates, and user access controls. Since it is difficult to make personal devices secure, lend out secure office devices to employees. Once you fix major security vulnerabilities, you will be able to maintain a secure remote workflow.

Ensure Strong Password Requirements

It is vital for organizations to emphasize strong password management and requirements. But don’t equate strong passwords with complicated passwords. So, propel the remote workforce to use simple and strong passwords that are easy to remember. Similarly, make sure passwords are stored in a secure encryption vault.

Install Firewalls on Remote Workers’ Devices for Work

If most of your remote workforce uses Windows OS, then make sure your employees install a robust firewall on personal devices. Remember, it is better to have some firewall protection than none at all. Also, make sure your remote employees update and patch the software to maintain online security.

Back-Up Your Data

When most of your workforce works remotely, it becomes crucial to have a data backup and recovery solution in place. Data loss can impact your business growth and cost you a lot of money. As more remote employees get access to sensitive files through the cloud, there’s more chance of cybersecurity risks. Besides, backing data makes sense when employees make errors or delete files accidentally.

Acceptable Use Rules and Policies

In the remote age, it is high time for businesses to review their acceptable use rules and policies.  Include new considerations for remote employees and network management. Emphasize safety measures throughout the acceptable use policy to protect your employees and firm.  You can view acceptable use policy as a source of direction for your employees. For instance, you can forbid the use of personal devices for remote to create a balanced security status.

Upgrade Cybersecurity Training of Your Remote Workforce

Mandate employees to participate in cybersecurity training programs to raise awareness. You should touch on various cybersecurity risks attached to working-from-home. In fact, regular cybersecurity classes would make your employees more vigilant about potential security issues.

Restrict Access to Sensitive Files

Not every employee should have access to “all” applications and files. Ideally, you should assign remote responsibilities and roles to specific employees to make the network more secure. The key is to match these roles with respective files and applications required to perform the job duties. So, if a hacker tries to breach an employee’s account, the damage would be little to none.

Encourage Remote Workers to Report Any Suspicious Activity

As an organization, you can create a safe remote workplace environment and that means encouraging employees to report and talk about suspicious activities. The truth is that accidents like clicking on a malicious link or infected file happen all the time. So, if you don’t want your workforce to become the victim of a potential phishing scam. Create a safety culture where employees can report suspicious activities.

Final Thoughts

During the peak COVID-19 crisis, many businesses had no choice but to move most business operations remotely. The good news is that remote operations have managed to improve productivity but it also makes the workforce and network vulnerable to cybersecurity threats.

The focus for organizations is to create new user policies, roll out network security measures, offer users more robust work equipment, and cover other cybersecurity issues. Organizations need to opt for more advanced operating procedures to make their remote workplace secure.