5 Ways to Keep Your Remote Workers Safe from Cyber Attacks
So you have a business and give the option for remote work. Technology is ever advancing and while being able to offer a remote option to your employees is appealing, but the logistics of information sharing and how to keep everyone safe from cyber threats can be daunting.
With remote work becoming more and more common and every remote worker should be aware of the risks involved in doing so. This means it is the business’ responsibility to educate their employees. When establishing remote work options, many businesses will need to take extra steps to protect their remote workers from cyber attacks.
Here are five effective ways to help keep your remote workers and your business safe:
1. Encourage Strong Passwords
Require your employees to use complex, hard-to-guess passwords for their accounts and data access. If possible, consider using two factor authentication to verify user identities before allowing access to sensitive systems and data. Encourage employees to change their passwords every 3-6 months and refrain from using the same password for all accounts.
2. Implement an Antivirus/Anti-Malware Solution
Ensure that all remote workers have reliable antivirus and anti-malware solutions installed on their devices. Company devices should come with these systems already in place to create a baseline of security across the board with all remote employees. These will help protect against malicious software that can be used to access valuable data or disrupt systems.
3. Educate Employees
With the increasing number of cyber threats, it’s important to make sure your remote employees are aware of the risks. Provide them with the necessary education and training they need to stay safe while working online. Consulting a trained IT professional is one way you can be certain that you are educating your team correctly. IT professionals keep tabs on trends and you can be sure that they have all of the most recent, up to date information regarding cyber safety, for you to share with your team.
4. Regularly Update Software
Emphasize keeping all software systems up to date. All your remote workers’ devices should be running the latest versions of their operating systems and other applications. This will aid defense against known security vulnerabilities. The importance of software updates should be emphasized to all remote workers.
5. Establish Clear Policies and Protocols
Make sure to set clear policies for your remote workers. This includes information on acceptable use of digital resources, as well as rules and guidelines around the sharing of sensitive data or confidential documents. Every employee working from home should have a secure wireless connection as well as a VPN to ensure the utmost security for their systems and sensitive information.
By taking these proactive steps, you can help protect your remote workers from cyber attacks and keep your data safe. Keep in mind that no system is completely secure, so it’s important to stay vigilant and have a plan in place for when possible threats arise. Consult with professionals and make sure that you have the right security measures in place, so that you can help keep your remote workers safe from cybercrime.
