Remote work has experienced a significant increase in recent years, as technology has enabled people to work from nearly anywhere. This trend is driven by the fact that remote work can provide greater flexibility and freedom for employees, while also allowing companies to save costs associated with traditional workspace and enable companies to access a wider range of talent and skillsets from around the world. As more businesses embrace this new way of working, it is likely that remote working will become even more widespread in the future.

In fact, it is predicted that by 2025, as many as 36 million Americans will be working remotely, prompting the need for secure on-site and mobile connectivity to bolster flexibility and data security. Remote connectivity should be portable, reliable, affordable, and secure — aspects that are easy to achieve if you know how to proceed. In this article, we will outline some best practices you can use to help your remote workforce share and access data securely and safely.

Your Guide to Network Security for a Remote Workforce

As more and more companies are transitioning to a remote workforce, network security becomes even more important. With the increase in the number of remote workers, there is also an increased risk of cyberattacks. In fact, one study showed that cyberattacks targeting work-from-home employees have risen by 238% since 2020 — an alarming escalation.  Network security helps protect businesses from malicious actors who might try to access sensitive data or disrupt operations. It also provides a layer of protection for employees working remotely, ensuring that their data is secure and confidential. By implementing proper network security measures, companies can ensure that their remote workforce is safe and secure while performing their tasks. Some best practices to promote network security for remote workers include:

Provide Data Encryption

Data encryption has always been a strong cybersecurity tool, but it is even more critical in a remote or hybrid work environment. Employees should be able to connect all devices to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that has built-in encryption capabilities.

Use Access Controls

User authentication is essential when granting access to your company’s data — whether it is on a public or user-owned Wi-Fi or, best case, a VPN. A “least privilege” practice is best here — meaning your default is to block all users and enable access to specific accounts for those that require it. This type of system requires additional configuration on the front-end, but the security benefits are worth it.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an important security measure that requires two different forms of authentication to access a system. It adds an extra layer of security to protect your data and accounts from unauthorized access. 2FA requires users to provide two pieces of evidence that they are the legitimate owners of the account, such as a password, pin code, or biometric scan. This makes it much harder for hackers to gain access to your sensitive information.

Establish a Written Cybersecurity Policy

A written cybersecurity policy and training is essential for any business wanting to protect their data, customers, and reputation. Cybersecurity policies provide clear guidelines for employees on how to handle sensitive information, such as passwords and customer data. They also outline the company’s expectations regarding employee behavior online. Additionally, providing employees with cybersecurity training ensures that they are aware of the risks associated with using technology and how to protect against them. This can help reduce the likelihood of a cyberattack or data breach occurring within the organization. By having a written cybersecurity policy and providing regular training for employees, businesses can ensure that their data is secure from malicious actors.

Manage Your Remote Workforce Securely with the Right Cybersecurity Solutions

Managed IT is an essential element of any cybersecurity strategy. It helps organizations ensure that all their systems and networks are secure, up-to-date, and functioning optimally. By leveraging Managed IT services, businesses can implement the latest security protocols to protect their data from cyber threats. Additionally, managed IT can help reduce the cost of managing complex IT infrastructure and provide organizations with expert advice on how to best protect their systems from potential attacks.

At Perry proTECH, our team of Managed IT experts can assess your infrastructure for vulnerabilities and weaknesses and create a cybersecurity plan that will keep your company’s data secure, even if you have a remote or hybrid work environment.

Keep your remote team productive and your data secure. Contact a Perry proTECH consultant today to learn more about our cybersecurity solutions.