The rise of remote work and teleworking has introduced a wealth of professional and personal benefits for businesses and individuals. From work-life balance improvements to greater scalability, the advantages of remote work cannot be understated, and these certainly have become more apparent in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, this profound shift has also introduced numerous cyber security challenges that must be addressed and faced proactively. As more businesses embrace digitisation and begin operating without a fixed location, traditional office-based processes of safeguarding sensitive data must become more agile. Cyber threats exist at almost any entry point in a business’s infrastructure, however big or convoluted its network is, which is why remote teams - whether encompassing one or hundreds of professionals - must adapt quickly.
Recent data shows that 72% of global companies are concerned about the security risks of employees working remotely, which is down from 2022 data but is still alarmingly high. As such, building a culture of cyber awareness is crucial.
This article explores some of the most prevalent security risks facing remote workers and provides actionable advice to minimise these risks and overcome them should you face them. By the end of this guide, you’ll be far more empowered to embrace the teleworking lifestyle with greater confidence and peace of mind.
Understanding Common Security Risks Facing Remote Workers
Remote work expands your attack surface, whether your business is a solo operation or whether you have multiple people working for you. However your business web is woven, vulnerabilities exist that cybercriminals are all too eager to exploit, which is why it’s crucial to familiarise yourself with common threats.
Some of the most pressing security risks include (but are not limited to):
1. Phishing
Phishing remains the most potent, common and versatile threat to remote workers (with an estimated 3.4 billion phishing emails sent each day), attacks of which can manifest in various ways. Cybercriminals can masquerade as a legitimate person or entity, over email, social media, or other forms of communication, crafting sophisticated and convincing messages that aim to deceive you into divulging sensitive information. This could be login credentials, passwords, access control, or any other asset that could allow a hacker to move laterally throughout your infrastructure.
As such, phishing has been the root cause of many data breaches, identity fraud cases, and heavy financial losses, thus reinforcing the need for constant awareness and vigilance.
2. Unsecured WiFi connections
Working from public spaces or in unfamiliar territory often means connecting to WiFi networks that can be hard to verify. Teleworkers may often find themselves within range of unsecured or free WiFi which can be tempting to take advantage of, as this will come at a reprieve from using limited mobile data, for example.
However, remote workers can be vulnerable to seemingly unsuspect or innocuous criminal activity such as eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, where cybercriminals can intercept unencrypted data requests and compromise confidential information.
3. Lax security
Many existing layers of cyber security present in an office environment may no longer apply to employees working remotely. For example, the incumbent office network backed up with a secure firewall and fully managed detection and response (MDR) capabilities may not be available to workers taking their devices overseas.
Remote work will involve modified system and data access processes that operate outside the conventional perimeters of an enterprise tech stack, and as such, cyber security professionals will be limited on nefarious activity they can detect and contain.
4. Poor security etiquette
Widespread remote working can drastically expand an organisation’s attack surface and thus, every individual operating outside of an enterprise’s in-house environment will see their risk exposure increase, especially if their cyber hygiene leaves much to be desired.
Software, endpoints and devices left unpatched and out-of-date face a greater risk of compromise, while weak and reused passwords without any form of authentication pose easier entry points for malicious attackers, be they lurking inside or outside the infrastructure. The first line of defence invariably involves people, which is why awareness and training are vital.
Safeguarding Your Remote Workforce
While the risks are real, they can be mitigated through a comprehensive security strategy tailored to the unique challenges of remote work.
Consider the following best practices as a guide to drastically improving your cyber security posture.
1. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
MFA - sometimes known as two-factor authentication or TFA - adds an extra layer of security by requiring additional proof of who is trying to access a file, drive, or network. After entering a username and password combo, the system may prompt for a one-time code via email, SMS or a separate authenticator app, or even biometric verification. This layer significantly reduces the risk of unauthorised access, even if logins are seized.
2. Use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
VPNs create a secure, encrypted connection between remote devices and the main in-house enterprise network. VPNs validate the connection between approved devices and the core network, meaning that sensitive data and files can be locked down to devices on-site and devices that can display a valid connection. As such, data requests are kept within an encrypted layer from server to server, even if a remote worker is connected to a public WiFi network.
3. Establish Clear Policies and Training
Training programmes and strict cyber security policies will provide the minimum criteria for all remote workers to adhere to. Defining the right expectations, etiquette, best practices, and compliance procedures will help ensure that every remote worker is meeting the requirements of the organisation and, by extension, any regulations it is bound by. Regular cyber threat awareness training will also help employees learn about emerging risks.
4. Enforce Strong Password Practices
One of the best layers of defence is to implement strict complex password policies that mandate a unique password for each login or account. It can be challenging to remember all your passwords, but using enterprise-level password management tools will make complex password generation and storage much easier. As such, credential theft will be far less likely and frequent.
5. Monitor and Audit Remote Activity
Monitoring and auditing software can help organisations keep tabs on all remote user activity. Logs and audit trails can be reviewed retrospectively and in detail to spot suspicious activity, violations, or missing data. At the same time, companies can restrict access to shared resources based on the principle of least privilege, giving remote workers access to the specific resources they need and nothing more. As such, this reduces the risk of lateral movement and compromise of attackers lurking in a system.
Embracing a Secure Remote Workforce
It can be easy to view the cyber threat landscape pessimistically, but remote working with security in mind is far from difficult. With the right strategies, preparation and tools in place, secure remote work can become second nature to teams wherever they are located, while native resources and systems can remain stable and operational. Proactive measures are key to safeguarding a remote workforce and protecting valuable data and information, which begins with awareness of the most common threats and mitigation steps.
As remote work continues to gain momentum, be sure to capitalise on all the legal and regulatory requirements for working in specific countries. At Telework Andalucia, we can offer practical and expert advice on business development and legal procedures you need no matter where you’re planning to work from. To find out how to get started, we recommend contacting our consultants who can help companies and private professionals in and out of the EU who want to work remotely.
Author: Justin Aldridge
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