The Ultimate Checklist To Secure Remote Access In A Virtual Workplace

How do you keep corporate data and resources  safe while your team is moving to a remote workorce?

Remote work is growing more popular in the industry, and with the latest COVID-19 pandemic, there is no better time for users and businesses to make strides in securing remote work.

Using just one or two security mechanisms would not suffice to fend off cyber-attacks. Any security measure alone would not ensure safe remote work; but, when used in conjunction with several measures, it provides a compounding impact on your cybersecurity framework.

This guide is intended to inform business users of small and large companies about the tools and measures available to them.

1. Form a Cybersecurity Policy For Remote Workers

If your company supports remote work, you should have a consistent cybersecurity strategy in place to ensure that any employee has secure  access to company data. Every employee will potentially become an entry point for a hacker to hijack the organization’s network if you do not have a strategy in place.

To avoid this, develop a cybersecurity strategy that specifies rules for adhering to security standards at home or while travelling. Policies that include the planned use of licensed encrypted communications systems, such as Signal or WhatsApp; installing and patching computer security routines, such as upgrading antivirus or anti-malware applications; and protocols for remotely deleting missing computers.

Company-owned Devices

If your company has the resources to provide laptops or computers to its staff, you should consider using them. This is because your IT department will manually configure firewall settings and update antivirus and anti-malware, this technique is the perfect way to secure  remote work.

Conduct Regular Back-ups to Hard Drives

Any company is just as good as its records. Most businesses nowadays maintain data electronically on cloud storage systems that are encrypted. However, frequently backing up to a hard disk is still recommended so it cannot be breached remotely.

Third-Party Vendors

Employees are not the only ones that can jeopardize the company’s internal network. Since third-party providers are also responsible for building entry points into device infrastructure, the strategy should apply to them as well.

Mobile Security

Employees frequently use their phones for job purposes as company and life become more interconnected. Although operating from a mobile device will put the company’s protection at risk.

Inform your staff about the risks of using unsecured Wi-Fi services. When you join an unsecured Wi-Fi network, your phone is vulnerable to possible hackers trying to compromise your device. To avoid unintended intrusions, just talk using encrypted apps.

2. Choose a Remote Access Software

There are 3 primary ways for securing a job remotely while telecommuting. You have the option of having remote device control, virtual private networks, or direct device access. Each approach has advantages and disadvantages. Choose the approach that is most effective for your company.

Desktop Sharing

Remote PC access mechanisms, like desktop sharing, link a remote device to the host computer that is located in the workplace. This configuration allows the user to view local data on the host computer as if they had been physically present in the workplace.

Virtual Private Network

A virtual private network (VPN) is software that encrypts data and establishes a protected link over the internet. Remote employees may secure their data transfers from outside parties by using tunnelling protocols to encrypt and decode messages from sender to recipient.

Direct Application Access

Direct access to job software is the least risky choice for remote work. Employees can operate remotely within particular network apps rather than accessing the whole network.

There is little chance of exposing a company’s internal framework to cyber predation by using this approach. Because of the usage of granular, perimeter software on the network’s networks, attack areas for vulnerable data breaches are restricted.

3. Use Encryption

It is critical to choose an access system for online jobs, but it is also critical that such methods use encryption to protect remote employees’ data and connections.

Encryption is the process of interpreting data into code, also known as ciphertext. The data can only be decrypted and used by those who have the key or cipher.

Encryption software gives an additional layer of security for enterprises and remote employees. For example, if a remote employee’s device is missing or misplaced and recovered by a malicious actor, encryption software is the very first line of defence in preventing unauthorized access.

Advanced Encryption Standard

Due to its flexibility with a wide range of applications, most companies have the security protocol to use Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to protect data. It employs symmetric key encryption, which means that the recipient decodes the sender’s data using a key. Its advantage over asymmetric encryption is that it is easier to use. To protect company records, look for encryption tools that employ AES.

End-to-end Encryption

Look for programs that use end-to-end encryption by using stuff like email and apps for general communication, as it uses extremely powerful encryption that cannot be compromised if the two end-points are safe.

4. Create Employee Cybersecurity Training

Internal employees account for a sizable portion of the threat to a company’s network security. In reality, a little more than one-third of all data breaches in 2019 was caused by a malicious or incompetent employee, according to a survey.

However, this isn’t always the case. Instead, through fostering a compliance culture and educating staff on cybersecurity best practices, companies may reduce the risk of insider attacks.

Physical Security of Devices

To continue, safe remote employees by urging them to lock computers while physically travelling. If they do not have physical access to their unit, the likelihood of foul play remains remote. Second, warn staff to be mindful of any onlookers when accessing personal or confidential information, such as logins or passwords, when working in public places. This is known as “shoulder surfing,” and it is more successful than it seems.

Safe Internet Protocols

If your company is unable to supply laptops or machines with internet restriction software to remote employees, you should establish protocols for secure browsing, installing pop-up blockers, and uploading trustworthy work applications.

Conclusion 

Malicious actors will continue to pose a threat to company network security in a globally fragmented business environment. With this risk in mind, companies must take precautionary steps to secure remote work for their workers or deal with the consequences.

There are low-cost options you can use to secure your life, regardless of the scale of your business. If you need assistance deciding which solution is better for your business, contact our experts at AccOps now for a consultation.