While much of the pre-pandemic world has returned, some changes remain. Many companies offer employees the option to work remotely indefinitely or combine working remotely with in-office work as a hybrid option.
During the pandemic, we saw unprepared companies experience cybersecurity challenges around remote work. Many learned that allowing a large workforce to work outside the office and their protected network opened the organization to unforeseen risks.
Many companies have again dropped their guard as the world feels like it is returning, or has returned, to normal.
Remember, you need to address the cybersecurity challenges if you still have employees working remotely or operating within a hybrid work schedule.
6 Tips to Overcome the Cybersecurity Challenges of a Remote Workforce
- Have a specific cybersecurity plan that addresses your remote and hybrid workforce. Ensure you work with your in-house IT guy, or a managed IT services team to build your cybersecurity strategy.
- Regularly update programs and operating systems. Regularly updated software is one of the most straightforward ways to protect your organization. Through updates, you are taking advantage of the latest fixes to common bugs and vulnerabilities.
- Install Antivirus with Real-time scanning. This includes taking advantage of exploit detection and endpoint detection and response (EDR).
- Make sure employees configure Wifi encryption on their home networks. Educate employees about what they need to do on their home networks to protect the organization.
- Require employees to use corporate services for email and messaging.
- Don’t let your guard down. Stay vigilant and continue reviewing and addressing vulnerabilities.
When it comes to the cybersecurity challenges of remote work, prevention is the name of the game. While remote work benefits employees, the risk it brings to an organization can outweigh employee satisfaction. As cyber threats continuously change, make sure you are working with a qualified IT services team to build a comprehensive and preventative approach to addressing the vulnerabilities of a remote and hybrid workforce.
At Clarity Technology Group, we support small to medium-sized businesses with managed IT services in the Greater Madison, WI area. If we can help your business’ IT needs in any way, let’s chat. Get in touch with our team here.