Remote Workforce Security for Small Business Employees

Summary:

• Why cyber security is vitally important for your remote work force
• Options for securing your remote employees

What Is Remote Workforce Security and Why Should You Care?

The remote workforce model creates challenges for small and midsized businesses (SMBs). Hackers target such businesses because they know that many of them are under-protected from cyberattacks yet still hold valuable data that could be used for a direct attack or sold (and resold) to other hackers. Remote employees must be part of your WiFi network security because anyone who has access to the network can potentially expose or create a vulnerability. With the right protection in place, you can make it very difficult for cyber criminals to breach your data and reduce the risk of an attack.

Q: What is cyber security for your remote workforce, and why is it important for small businesses?

A: Remote security for your workforce protects your business from cyber risks created by employees working outside the office. Since remote staff log into your network, their connections must be secured to prevent hackers from exploiting vulnerabilities.

How Can a Secure Home Network Protect Your Business Data?

With remote work, your employees, as always, are the first line of defense. That’s why out-of-office workers must have a secure home network. To do so, they should change their default router password to a unique, multi-character one, update router firmware, enable WPA3 encryption and separate home devices and work devices onto separate networks. Such moves dramatically reduce the chances of a data breach.

Q: How does a secure home network help protect business data?

A: Protecting an employee’s home network reduces the chances of a data breach by using strong router passwords, updated firmware, WPA3 encryption and separating work devices from personal ones.

Why is Zero Trust Remote Access Essential for Small Businesses?

Just because someone can log in to your network, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are trusted users. Zero trust remote access makes it so no one gets a free pass. Instead of assuming the best, zero trust requires continuous verification of users and devices.

Employees must confirm their identity every time they log on, and once they’re on, their access permissions are restricted to the files and applications they need to perform their jobs. Also, every user’s activity is monitored for suspicious actions, such as large downloads, uploads or activity at unusual hours. Zero trust remote access lets SMB owners and managers control how employees use the network, providing a scalable way to strengthen security without overwhelming the IT team.

Q: Why is zero trust access for remote work valuable for small businesses?

A: Zero trust access requires continuous user verification, limits access to only necessary resources and monitors activity to prevent unauthorized use, giving you stronger control over your network.

What Does Cyber Security for Remote Workers Involve?

Cyber security for remote staff isn’t all about access controls and mobile device management. It’s about creating a seamless, secure and productive relationship between remote workers and the technology they use. That includes cyber awareness, and not just by management. Everyone needs to understand how ignoring best practices can lead to devastating consequences. Cyber security for remote workers includes:

• Using multifactor authentication on all accounts
• Updating operating systems and applications
• Avoiding public WiFi unless connected through a secure VPN
• Training staff to recognize phishing emails and suspicious links

If you roll out these measures, you’ll empower your employees to maintain your overall defense strategy.

How Can You Train Employees to Prioritize Remote Workforce Security?

Even if your business has the most advanced tools, employees remain a weak link. The majority of attacks begin with an employee clicking on a malicious link or sharing login credentials in a phishing attack. That’s why staffers need regular training, which will help them develop good cyber hygiene habits. That education should cover everything from phishing recognition to sharing and storing files, secure passwords, password managers and suspicious activity reporting. Consistent employee security awareness training ensures that cyber security remains front and center in the minds of your remote staff.

What Role Does Device Management Play in Remote Work Security?

The remote use of devices such as laptops, tablets and cellphones can create vulnerable entry points (also called endpoints), opening doors to cyberattacks. With robust device management, you can reduce the risks and ensure only authorized devices can connect to your business network. The best device management practices should include company-wide encryption on all devices, setting policies for auto-locking screens and network timeouts, installation of endpoint security and special device management tools that can wipe devices clean if they are stolen or lost. When you secure all your devices, you protect all the sensitive business and client data stored on them.

Q: What role does device management play in security for your remote employees?

A: Controlling devices ensures only authorized, encrypted devices equipped with security tools and auto-lock policies can access your network, protecting sensitive business and client data from exposure.

How Can a Home Network and Zero Trust Access Work Together?

A secure home network and zero trust remote operate in tandem. The employee’s home network protects them on location, while zero trust ensures that access to company resources remains tightly controlled. These complementary strategies provide protection from local threats, verification that only trusted users can access sensitive data files, reduced exposure through an employee’s compromised home network and greater confidence that business and client data remain safe. Combined, these two methods create multiple layers of security that will make it much harder for hackers to breach your network.

What Steps Should You Take After Strengthening Your Remote Security

Network cyber security is never “set and forget.” Cyber security for remote workers demands that you continue to maintain and improve your security posture. New attack methods are added, and new industries are targeted continuously.

Recommended steps include:

• Conducting regular security audits to identify possible new vulnerabilities
• Reviewing and updating your security policies as technology evolves
• Encouraging employees to provide feedback and reports on their remote work challenges
• Scheduling of refresher employee cyber security training throughout the year

Security must always be seen as an ongoing process, instead of a one-time investment.

Why Should You View Remote Workforce Security as an Ongoing Investment?

Your company’s cyber security must rise to the challenges posed by the evolution of cyber threats. Cyber protections for your remote workforce have never been more imperative. You must treat your SMB’s remote workforce’s cyber security as an ongoing investment. The long-term benefits of that investment will provide greater resilience to emerging threats, reduced downtime and a company-wide culture of accountability and responsibility for your business’s remote cyber security.

Reach out to us if you are in the greater New York City area or your IT provider for the name of a reputable IT security expert. Take steps today to safeguard your company’s digital assets.