08 Apr Cybersecurity Risks of Remote Working
With the current Covid-19 pandemic, governments are asking people to observe social distancing and not leave the house unless absolutely necessary. As a consequence, many businesses have workforces who are now working remotely. However, there are security risks with having your employees working off-site, for example unsecured Wi-Fi networks and personal devices. Additionally, there has been an increased number of phishing attacks in this time as people are receiving large amounts of emails and online requests. People are also generally more vulnerable in a pandemic and therefore might not exercise the same caution online. Here are some ways to ensure that your business remains protected.
Use a VPN
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can add an extra layer of security to your network. It works by encrypting your IP address and data in your network. Using a VPN whilst working remotely reduces the risk of an employee’s computer being hacked.
Use a Firewall
A strong firewall is an important factor in cyber defence. A firewall is a network security device which monitors your network traffic and protects it from viruses and malicious code. It can also stop users from accessing certain external sites.
Strong Passwords
Your company should have an IT policy which requires strong, complex passwords. This means passwords of at least eight characters with a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Users should be required to change their password after a certain period of time and previous passwords should not be re-used. Employees should be reminded never to write down their passwords and not to share them with anyone else.
Maintain Antivirus Software
Installing anti-virus software is a non-negotiable when it comes to defending your network. However, many businesses fail to keep their anti-virus software updated which can be the cause of cyber-attacks. Hackers are becoming smarter every day, finding new ways to violate your network and deploy viruses. Keeping your anti-virus software updated is critical to ensuring that you have the best technology protecting your business.
Be Aware of Phishing Scams
The number of phishing scams has increased since the Covid-19 outbreak cybercriminals target people who are working remotely to gain access to personal or company information. Train your employees so they are aware of potential malicious links sent through email; remind them not to open emails from unknown sources.
Backup Your Data
Backing up your data in multiple places is crucial. If your business has already migrated to the cloud, backing up your data is not an onerous task. However, the cloud is still vulnerable to data loss or hacking so it is a good idea to have a local backup. The strongest protection comes from following the 3-2-1 rule: keep at least 3 copies of your data, store 2 backup copies on different storage media, with 1 of them being offsite.
CORNET can provide you with a comprehensive range of cyber security services to help you stay secure and, at the same time, help you demonstrate compliance with industry and regulatory standards.