Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a mass exodus from the traditional office space to the home office. And while working from home has its perks (no commute, flexible hours, increased comfort) it also comes with new cybersecurity risks.
With remote work here to stay for the foreseeable future, it’s more important than ever to make sure your remote workforce is properly trained in cybersecurity best practices. Here’s why:
Remote workers are more susceptible to phishing attacks.
Phishing attacks are on the rise, and remote workers are particularly vulnerable. That’s because when hackers send out a phishing email, they usually target a specific company or industry. So if your employees are working from home, they may be more likely to open a phishing email that appears to be from someone they know or a company they recognize.
To combat phishing attacks, you need to make sure your employees are trained in how to spot them. They should know to be suspicious of any email that contains an unexpected attachment or link, or that asks for personal information like login details or bank account information.
Home office set-ups may not be as secure as traditional offices.
When employees are working from home, they may not have access to the same security measures as they would in a traditional office setting. For example, they may not have a secure login process or a VPN to protect their data. Additionally, their home office set-up may not be as ergonomic or comfortable, which can lead to distractions and lower productivity.
To combat these risks, you need to make sure your employees are using strong passwords and a VPN whenever possible. Additionally, you should provide them with guidance on how to set up their home office in a way that minimizes distractions and maximizes security.
Remote workers may be less likely to report security incidents.
When employees are working from home, they may feel like they’re not part of the team or connected to the company. As a result, they may be less likely to report a security incident, thinking it’s not a big deal or that someone else will take care of it.
However, it’s important to remember that every security incident should be reported, no matter how small. By reporting incidents, you can help prevent future attacks and keep your data safe.
Make sure your employees know how to report a security incident, and make it easy for them to do so. For example, you could set up a dedicated email address or online form for reporting incidents.
Employees may be working on personal devices.
When employees are working from home, they may be using their personal computers, laptops, and smartphones for work purposes. While this can be convenient, it also poses a security risk. That’s because personal devices are usually not as well-protected as company-issued ones.
To combat this risk, you need to make sure your employees know how to protect their personal devices. They should install security software and updates, and use strong passwords. Additionally, they should only connect to secure networks and avoid using public Wi-Fi hotspots.
So if you have a remote workforce, it’s important to make sure they’re properly trained in cybersecurity. Cybersecurity training can help employees understand the risks of working from home and how to protect themselves from those risks. And when your employees are properly trained, they can help keep your company safe from cyberattacks.