According to research from Owl Labs, 62% of workers aged 22 to 65 say they work remotely at least some of the time. Additionally, over the past ten years, remote work has skyrocketed by almost 160%. It shouldn’t be too surprising that we haven’t totally adapted to this new way of life yet. Although a decade may seem like a long time, workplaces have undergone radical changes during that time. Most business owners are so worried about their remote employees’ productivity levels that they often forget about cybersecurity concerns.
Unfortunately, 80% of security and business leaders say that remote work involves a heightened security risk. They aren’t wrong; in fact, 67% of business-related cyberattacks targeted remote workers in 2021. Some reasons for this include the use of personal devices, cloud services and the vulnerability of other remote tools. However, it would be inaccurate to say that the nature of remote work is entirely to blame. Due to the pandemic, remote work has seen an influx of people, but technology hasn’t had the chance to keep up.
Ultimately, business owners should recognize that remote work is here to stay. It’s highly important, therefore, for businesses to optimize their approach to remote cybersecurity.
Offer Thorough Cybersecurity Training for Workers
Employers should always invest in training, but cybersecurity training is especially important. Even today, many employees still use ineffective passwords that include their birth date and numbers like “1234.” During training, teach your employees about the importance of strong passwords. Ideally, they should include a random assortment of letters and numbers, and no two passwords should be alike. In addition to password selection, employees should be updated on security procedures and evolving threats. Providing training once after hiring isn’t enough; this should be an ongoing effort.
Use a VPN
Virtual Private Networks, otherwise known as VPNs, allow remote workers to keep their devices secure. With this tool, employees can log into work safely from practically anywhere. If you’ve ever worked in a coffee shop, a VPN has probably helped you stay secure. In public spaces, hackers often target network users and steal their valuable information. This is a major problem for businesses with remote workers. VPNs provide a connection to in-office security measures and act as a shield against harmful cyber threats.
Provide Company Equipment
Providing company laptops (and other devices) to all your employees is a major investment, but it’s well worth the cost. Company devices can be pre-installed with anti-virus software and other security options before your employees use them. Whenever workers use their own personal devices, it puts both their data and company data at risk.
Make Sure Your Employees Use Multi-factor Authentication
If you’ve ever used multi-factor authentication, you know it can be a little irritating. After signing in, you want to be able to get right to work. Having to go through another round of steps can be frustrating. However, it’s crucial if you want your data to be as secure as possible. For remote workers, multi-factor authentication is essential, and all your employees should be using it. Multi-factor authentication provides a supplementary layer of protection to ensure that whoever is logging in is in fact who they say they are. You shouldn’t cut corners when it comes to company data. Let your employees know that multi-factor authentication is a must.
Use a Trusted Company for Cybersecurity Services
Cybersecurity problems can cause a large amount of damage. Is your current infrastructure up to par? Are your workers knowledgeable enough about cybersecurity threats? Are you constantly dealing with remote cybersecurity issues? If so, you should consider hiring a team of experts to help you out. At Nauticon, our experienced specialists can assist you with protecting your valuable data. We understand that the rise of remote work is a concern for employers, especially when it comes to cybersecurity threats. We’ll help you stay on top of these and prevent damage to your company. Some of our cybersecurity solutions include:
- Managed firewalls and WiFi networks
- Ransomware protection
- Multi-factor authentication
- Enterprise e-mail security
- Mobile device management
- Disaster recovery
- and more!
Are you curious about what an office solutions company can do for you? Get in touch with us today to learn more about our unique suite of services.
Partner with Nauticon to Improve Cybersecurity in Your Remote Workplace
Is your remote workforce in need of additional cybersecurity solutions? We’re here to help! Nauticon is a leading provider of managed services, workflow solutions and other office technology solutions that can transform your workspace and help you resolve common office printer problems. If you are looking for a better way to meet your office’s needs, we are here to help. To learn more about our company and see how we can bring innovative, real-world solutions for your office’s needs to you, contact us today by calling (301) 279-0123.
