How to Stay Secure with Your Remote Access
The new normal is changing everything, including the way we work. Today, staff members have to develop methods of being on the job without leaving their homes. Luckily, there is remote access, which allows you to work productively irrespective of your geographical position.
There are high risks that come with remote access. Securing the networks that power a remote workforce is especially crucial, as a single vulnerability can jeopardize the entire organization’s operations. If your business is having work-from-home personnel, or plans to have them soon, here are the ways to stay secure with remote access.
Simple Ways to Stay Secure with Remote Access
The security of a remote access working system is the responsibility of the employer and employee. On the business’ part, some of the safety practices to keep in check are:
- Enforce two-factor authentication (2FA)
The easiest way to access an account without authorization is to crack a password. Businesses can keep hackers off their backs by advising their staff to use 2FA. With this method, an additional security code must be input after providing the password. Therefore, a hacker getting the password isn’t a threat. They would have to get their hands on a secure code sent to a user’s phone to compromise security.
- Assessing risks regularly
As organizations turn to remote access, there is a necessity to look into the dangers they expose themselves. Businesses should habitually engage the services of a systems security expert who will audit their networks. The expert should point out and fix gaping vulnerabilities.
- Choosing the right remote desk tools
For employees to access the work network securely, their employers should provide them with the necessary tools. One such tool is the RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol), a software allowing users to access a remote host as if it was local.
Businesses should ensure that the tools have zero vulnerabilities.
- Creating backups
It is wasteful to lose data due to a lack of backups. While businesses may have automatic data backups in their offices, the situation may change with a remote workforce. Enterprises should always retain manual backups to safeguard information on computers. Doing so will save them the trouble of incurring expenses associated with data recovery if a network is compromised.
- Raising awareness
Maximize security by keeping your employees informed. It is agreeable that threats are relatively high for employees working from home since most of them are not fully conversant with the new working way. Businesses should invest in teaching their employees to keep safe while working through remote access.
How Employees Can Keep Remote Access Secure
As the business invests in ways of securing a remote access network, employees have a role to play. Most safety precautions are easily implemented. They include:
- Follow the guidelines laid down by the business. If the employers require 2FA through an app, don’t use your email to get the security code.
- Don’t open suspicious links in your email. A single malicious link can take down an entire network of computers.
- Avoid mingling work and personal passwords. Every account you access should have a separate password. You can use a password manager for better security.
- If you are using a browser, be sure to keep safe on the web. Avoid clicking on suspicious ads.
- Use a VPN when you are using public networks to access remote hosts. Be sure to check if your employer condones the use of a VPN before using it.
Work Remotely and Securely
Businesses and their employees can work together to maintain or even increase production while implementing remote working. However, a remote workforce’s productivity is only as secure as the network that allows it to work.
By following the remote access safety guidelines discussed, businesses can achieve the goal of remote working.
