The Future of Work: How to Stay Ahead of the Cybersecurity Threat in Remote Work
By: Mack Jackson Jr
This article looks at how remote work affects cybersecurity and what companies can do to lower the risks. Because employees often use their own devices and home networks that aren't secure, remote work has made cyberattacks more likely. In addition, they are more susceptible to phishing and social engineering attempts.
The Impact of Remote Work on Cybersecurity
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced companies worldwide to offer remote work, which has become the norm for many. Even though remote work has benefits like more flexibility and less time spent commuting, it also has significant drawbacks, especially regarding security. In this article, we’ll look at how remote work affects cybersecurity and what businesses can do to avoid the dangers. Additionally, you can find more on remote workers in my eBook, “The Rise of Remote Workers.”
Most Organizations Lack the Infrastructure Necessary to Protect Against Cyberattacks
There has been an increase in cybercrime since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and remote workers’ actions are a contributing element, as mentioned above. According to Accenture, the average number of cyberattacks per organization in 2021 was 270, up 21% from the previous year.
Unfortunately, many businesses need more resources to defend themselves from cybercriminals. By Positive Technologies’s estimation, fraudsters can breach the network perimeters of 93% of businesses. ISACA’s State of Cybersecurity 2021 also shows that 61 percent of companies need more cybersecurity staff.
In a positive development, businesses are starting to prioritize security. In 2022, the majority of companies (69%) surveyed by the Enterprise Strategy Group reported increasing their allocation to cybersecurity.
Employee education is a critical part of any IT security management strategy. Users who know how to spot fraud and adhere to basic cybersecurity guidelines can do a lot to ensure the safety of sensitive enterprise information.
Increased Cybersecurity Risks
The rising prevalence of personal devices and unsecured remote Wi-Fi networks has increased the likelihood of cyberattacks. The trend toward remote employment has exacerbated this danger. This new trend is because people who work from home either use their own computers, laptops, and mobile devices or get them from their company so they can work from home. These devices may have a different level of security than those used in the office. Because of this, there is a significant risk for businesses because it is now much easier for cybercriminals to get to sensitive information and steal critical data. This process makes it more likely that cybercriminals will target organizations.
When working remotely, using personal devices raises the question of how to keep those devices secure. Personal devices don’t have the latest software upgrades or virus protection programs required to safeguard against cyber threats. Additionally, employees may be running obsolete operating systems or have unsafe software installed on their computers or company smartphones, which can provide a backdoor for cybercriminals to access company data.
Using unprotected home networks presents yet another considerable risk introduced by working remotely. The security of home networks is typically worse than that of business networks, making them more susceptible to hacking, phishing, and malware attacks. A home network might be unsafe if the routers aren’t locked down well enough, the software needs to be kept up to date, or there aren’t any firewalls. And let us remember to use a passphrase rather than a password for the router. Consequently, fraudsters can intercept private information and steal crucial data.
Phishing, spear-phishing, and other forms of social engineering can often trick remote workers into divulging sensitive information. Phishing attacks involve sending emails that look like they came from a reliable source and asking the recipient for personal information like passwords or credit card numbers. Social engineering attacks are more complex and involve the attackers taking on the role of a respected authority figure in order to get access to private information. Workers who perform their jobs from home may be less vigilant than they would usually be, making them more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Another example is that remote users at home may visit websites that the workplace network would not allow due to security policies.
Mitigating Cybersecurity Risks
Companies need to implement robust cybersecurity measures to reduce the risks of remote work. Among the actions that businesses can take are:
· Giving employees secure remote access: Businesses should provide them with secure remote access to their work computers and networks to prevent people from getting in without permission.
· Encrypting important data: Businesses should encrypt sensitive data to safeguard against hackers.
· Companies need to use multi-factor authentication. This process adds more layers of security by requiring a user to show two or more forms of ID before accessing sensitive data.
· Companies should provide frequent cybersecurity training to their staff to educate them on recognizing and avoiding cyberattacks.
· Companies must routinely monitor their networks and devices to detect and prevent threats.
Because there are more personal devices and unsecured Wi-Fi networks, the trend toward remote work has directly led to a rise in the risk of cyberattacks. Even though it’s clear that working from home has benefits, businesses must be aware of the risks and take steps to protect their sensitive data. Companies must ensure that their remote workers have access to secure equipment and networks, put in place strong cybersecurity measures, and often train their employees on how to spot and avoid cyberattacks.
About the Author
Mack Jackson Jr. is the CEO of Vanderson Cyber Group. In the age of global cyber threats, Vanderson Cyber Group helps businesses protect themselves from cyberattacks by teaching them cybersecurity awareness. Vanderson Cyber Group uses state-of-the-art practices in security policy development and comprehensive employee training. One of the essential services is phishing simulation and compliance training, which keep employees up-to-date on the threat landscape. Vanderson Cyber Group also provides resources for cyber insurance, managed services, and legal representation. For more information: http://www.vandersoncybergroup.com
