Remote work creates advantages for both employers and their employees.
If you're reading this, we bet you can list several benefits off the top of your head, such as access to a worldwide talent pool and the freedom for global employees to work where they want.
Not to mention the freedom of skipping the dreaded commute, spending more time at home with family and furry friends, etc.
Still, there are downsides — with cyberattacks probably at the top of the list. A recent survey found that Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) cite managing remote work security as a significant pain point. On top of that, half of the respondents reported experiencing some form of cybersecurity breach or attack in the past year.
It takes a lot to protect sensitive data, maintain compliance, and prevent cyberattacks, including instilling good cyber security habits in your employees.
Key takeaways:
- Human error is responsible for most cybersecurity breaches.
- It's essential to train remote workers on how to spot and prevent cyber threats.
- Companies should use both technical and behavioral security measures to prevent issues like phishing attacks.
What Are the Biggest Remote Work Security Risks?
It's a bummer to admit, but your employees are your company's biggest threat when it comes to cybersecurity.
Experts at a recent security conference in Madrid estimated that 82% of data breaches are related to human error.
However, with the proper security measures, you can help prevent criminals from taking advantage of individual employee mistakes.
1. Unsecured Wi-Fi Networks and Using Personal Devices for Work
Are you familiar with the term "security perimeter?" In the world of cybersecurity, it refers to the space between your networks and sensitive data and the internet at large. Maintain a strong security perimeter, and you're more likely to prevent critical data leaks.
It's challenging for remote employees who use home and public Wi-Fi networks to maintain this perimeter. And without a secure network, businesses have little control over who might be spying on their data.
Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in public places and poorly secured home Wi-Fi networks to intercept sensitive information, install malware, or even gain direct access to company systems.
The lack of visibility into these off-site networks makes it difficult for IT teams to detect real-time breaches, allowing cyber threats to go unnoticed until significant damage has already been done.
If an employee uses a personal device for work it creates significant security risks, since a personal device often lacks strong security measures — making it more vulnerable to malware, viruses, and phishing attacks.
There’s also a chance the employee’s own device might not have up-to-date antivirus software or encryption protocols, leaving sensitive company data exposed.
2. Phishing & Smishing Attacks
If you've ever hovered your cursor over a hyperlink in an email and felt confused by the previewed URL, you may have been just one click away from a security breach.
Phishing emails and smishing texts are cyberattacks that depend on fooling recipients into revealing sensitive data. To accomplish this, criminals imitate reputable companies and URLs to steal your data. Such tricks are similar to a spy's "false flag" operation.
For example, let's say an employee receives an email or text that appears to be sent by a vendor. It may tell them they must update their account password or include a link to track a recent order.
If the employee clicks on the link and it's actually a phishing scam, it could give a cybercriminal access to your network, compromise sensitive company data, expose login credentials, or install malware.
3. Weak Passwords
Of course, phishing attacks might not even be necessary if a password can be easily guessed.
Birthdays, a pet's name, a favorite song. Passwords like these might be easy for the employee to remember but just as easy for a hacker to guess, especially if an employee's information was leaked onto the dark web or their social media accounts are public.
If an employee reuses the same weak password across several accounts, a single breach could give cybercriminals access to multiple systems, escalating the risk.
4. Lack of Encryption When Sending or Accessing Files
Would you leave a USB drive with your tax information on a table in your favorite coffee shop and walk away? Would you mail an envelope with thousands of dollars in cash internationally?
Of course not. Both would open you up to a lot of unnecessary financial risk. Failure to use encryption when sending or accessing files is just as problematic.
Hackers with access to the network where this information is sent can reach out and "grab" it during transit, then open an unencrypted file without using a security key.
Once a hacker intercepts an unencrypted file, they can use the sensitive data for identity theft, financial fraud, or even sell it on the dark web.
This puts the individual who was hacked at risk, as well as the entire company, potentially leading to regulatory fines, reputational damage, and financial losses.
5. Unsecured Cloud Storage
Storing data in the cloud without encryption leaves businesses vulnerable to cyber threats. Without proper security measures, sensitive company information — such as financial records, customer data, and intellectual property — becomes an easy target for hackers.
Once accessed, this data can be stolen, manipulated, or even sold on the dark web, leading to financial loss and potential legal consequences.
Additionally, businesses may have no way of knowing who accessed their unprotected files until after a breach has occurred, making remediation even more difficult.
6. Malware and Ransomware Attacks
Cybercriminals often try installing malware on compromised networks to steal data, gain access to other tech systems or networks, or cause general mischief.
How does this work? For example, an employee might click a link on a phishing email and unknowingly download a virus-infected file, which can spread across the entire network.
Once malware is installed, hackers might demand money to uninstall it, locking a user out of their computer (or a company out of their network or servers) unless a ransom is paid.
The potential damage doesn't stop there. Malware can quietly operate in the background, collecting sensitive information like login credentials, financial records, or customer data before anyone realizes a breach has occurred.
In some cases, attackers use malware to create backdoors, giving them ongoing access to a company's systems and the ability to launch additional attacks over time.
How to Minimize the Risks of a Remote Workforce
Although cybersecurity fundamentals aren't a secret, it’s easy to become complacent. It’s easier still to sidestep best practices to save a little time. For example, not taking the time to create a unique password for each work account.
However, securing your company's sensitive data can be straightforward if you implement stringent security protocols, from customizing a network's password to using multi-factor authentication tools.
Secure Home Wi-Fi, Use a VPN, & Create Personal Device Protocols
Remember the security perimeter we discussed earlier? If only there were a way to bring an employee's home network up to your company's cybersecurity standards.
Oh, it turns out, there is!
Require employees to password-protect their home Wi-Fi networks. The easiest way to ensure compliance may be to have your IT team set any company hardware to reject connections to unsecured Wi-Fi networks.
In addition, require employees to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for all business activities conducted outside of their (now secure) home network, such as at the local coffee shop.
A VPN works by encrypting the internet connection and routing it through a secure server in another location. This hides the IP address and online activity from hackers and helps protect sensitive information from potential threats. Commonly used VPN companies include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and ProtonVPN.
This risk of employees using a personal device for company business can be mitigated by implementing a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy that includes clear guidelines for securing personal devices.
Companies should also require that any employees who want to use their own device for work install security software, such as antivirus and VPN tools, and ensure that all devices are regularly updated.
Or, they could implement a policy requiring employees to use only company-issued devices for all business activities. Problem solved.
Train Employees to Recognize and Prevent Cyber Threats
It's hard to overstate the benefits of continuous learning. This is especially true when it comes to cybersecurity training, where threats are constantly evolving.
It's essential to keep employees informed and prepared to stay ahead of potential breaches. Running simulated phishing attacks, for example, helps employees practice recognizing the signs of a phishing attempt in real time.
In addition, requiring ongoing security awareness training ensures that employees are always up-to-date on the latest threats, techniques, and tools used by cybercriminals.
You should also have a process in place for employees to report phishing and smishing attempts, or any other security issues. At RemoFirst, we have a dedicated Slack channel where team members can report any suspicious activity — complete with screenshots — for our IT team to review.
Whether it’s a sketchy text pretending to be from our CEO or an email that’s an obvious phishing attempt, the ability to report issues quickly helps us stay ahead of potential threats.
Require Strong Passwords & Implement MFA
No matter how strong your network security is, your data will be even better protected when employees strengthen their own approach to security.
One way to encourage personal security responsibility is by requiring employees to use strong passwords. Consider including a section on the fundamentals of building strong passwords during employees' security training.
In addition to strong passwords, require all employees to use multi-factor authentication (MFA) — which is standard policy for our team at RemoFirst.
MFA ups your data security by requiring multiple verification methods — e.g., knowledge (like a password), hardware (like a physical security key), or something biometric (like a fingerprint) — making it significantly harder for attackers to access sensitive resources, even if a password is compromised.
Create Data Encryption Policies
Encryption safeguards sensitive information by transforming it into unreadable code accessible only to authorized users.
Employees should encrypt sensitive data both when it's being transferred over networks (in transit) and when it's stored on devices or servers (at rest), especially on mobile devices. Full-disk encryption adds an extra layer of security, protecting data even if a device is lost or stolen.
Encryption acts as a locked safe, ensuring that even if cybercriminals manage to intercept the data, they won't be able to read or use it without the proper decryption key. Implementing end-to-end encryption and secure file-sharing practices is a simple yet crucial step in safeguarding sensitive business information.
Implement Cloud Security Protocols
Cloud storage is a game-changer for remote teams, offering easy access to files and enabling collaboration. However, it can become a vulnerable target for cybercriminals without proper security measures.
When cloud storage is not secured, sensitive data could be exposed to unauthorized access, leading to potential data breaches or theft.
By implementing security protocols like encryption, companies can ensure that even if data is intercepted during transmission, it remains unreadable to unauthorized parties.
Install Antivirus Software and Keep Systems Up-to-date
This one sounds simple, right? That's because it is! A strong antivirus program can secure your network, offering real-time protection against viruses, malware, and other threats. Some commonly used antivirus programs include McAfee Total Protection, Kaspersky Endpoint Security, and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (which is built into Windows).
Regular system updates are equally essential, as they patch vulnerabilities and enhance the security of your devices and networks. Keeping software and operating systems up to date reduces the risk of cyberattacks exploiting known security flaws.
Have your IT team push updates to employee computers to minimize noncompliance, ensuring everyone uses their software's latest, most secure version.
It's an easy, low-maintenance step that can save your company from significant cybersecurity risks down the line.
Create a Remote Work Security Policy
Make it easy for your employees to live up to your company's security protocols by compiling an official remote work security policy.
In addition to including the guidelines covered above, share other tips for employees to follow, such as:
- Lock company devices when not in use
- Regularly clear the browser history and cache
- Limit the use of personal devices for work
- Use a webcam cover when the webcam is not in use
- Don't allow anyone else to use your work devices
Securing Employee Data in a Global Remote Team
When it comes to security, companies need to ensure they're protecting both critical company information and their employees' data.
Not only is that best practice, but many countries have strict data privacy laws that businesses must follow, such as the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Failure to comply can result in steep penalties.
It can be a lot to keep up with for companies new to hiring in regions with rigorous data privacy laws. One way to simplify the process is by partnering with an Employer of Record (EOR) like RemoFirst.
When you hire international employees, we act as their official employer, which includes taking on HR functions such as payroll, employee benefits, and compliance with local employment laws and privacy regulations.
We are ISO 27001 certified, which means RemoFirst has met international standards for information security management and implemented best practices to protect sensitive data. In addition, we’re certified as GDPR ready and GDPR compliant.
You can learn more about how we protect your company’s and employees’ data in our privacy policy.
Just to clarify — we don’t safeguard your entire company’s security and data. Our focus is on protecting the specific data we handle to ensure compliant management and payment of your international employees.
Schedule a demo today to learn how RemoFirst can help you employ a secure global team compliantly.
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