Cybersecurity in a Hybrid Workplace

Remote security is a major concern for any company that uses remote workers, or employees who travel from one office location to another. These days, more companies operate under a hybrid work model, and this model requires special attention to security issues so we want to discuss cybersecurity in a hybrid workplace.

Remote and mobile workers create a unique security challenge. They often work outside of controlled networks, and have the ability to access your systems when they are in the office as well. Here are a few ways to secure access and protect your data.

Make sure employees understand what is expected of them in terms of security in both the office and home offices. You want to make sure computers and software are secure at home and employees have safe access to files, programs, websites, etc.

You should also have policies in place for specific scenarios like what happens when an employee leaves an organization, a plan of action for if you find something illegal on a company computer, what to do if there is a data breach, and other crisis plans of actions.

Some companies make the mistake of neglecting to designate time for training but setting aside designated time for educational workshops on cyber security education can help you avoid a devastating breech. Employees who understand what is expected of them and ways to reduce attack vulnerability will be less likely to click on suspicious links or engage with links, emails, etc., that could cause a cyber attack.

Part of this education should include recognizing phishing and social engineering scams. Phishing occurs when attackers send emails that look to be from reputable companies as a means to attempt access to personal information. Social engineering is another tactic that can be used to manipulate individuals into disclosing confidential information. Requiring mandatory training sessions keeps employees informed on best practices to keep data safe. Training sessions allow the company the opportunity to educate its employees on how and why to use multi-factor authentication, using a zero-trust approach, and password management.

Requiring multi-factor authentication will also decrease vulnerability to a cyberattack. This extra security step prevents attackers from hacking an account with weak or stolen credentials by requiring a second verification method. Multi-factor authentication helps keep employee and company data more secure when protected by two verification methods, typically an email and a phone number.

If something seems suspicious, it probably is! With a zero trust approach to cybersecurity in a hybrid workplace, a company will monitor all stages of digital interaction. This approach means no trusting of third-party sources until you can verify that they are safe.

Employers should make password updates mandatory and require that employees use complicated passwords to increase cyber security for office software and technology. Emphasize the importance of employees updating their passwords regularly and provide a list of best practices for creating strong passwords.

Provide employees with a virtual private network that can be used to route their internet traffic through encrypted “private” firewalls. Inform staff about the importance of installing anti-malware software on their off-site work devices.

Companies should have a virtual private network (VPN) that routes internet traffic through encrypted “private” firewalls. VPNs are especially useful for remote employees to ensure that no one can access their computers in a remote situation. Most work-from-home employees have company laptops or computers for working at home and this ensures data is secure and encrypted.

Make sure the technology and tools you use for communication are credible and trustworthy. Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams are two popular options that can help keep your business information secure during interoffice employee interactions.

Having a plan for specific instances of security breaches will help avoid additional chaos if there is a security threat. Action plans for even the most devastating of security attacks will give the company a faster response and recovery time from the breach. This is another topic that should be discussed in training sessions so that all employees understand protocols and the proper actions to take.

A cyber security attack is always possible, but taking these steps will decrease the likelihood that a breach will occur. Security and data breaches are a serious and growing threat and many companies are trying to adjust to ensure cybersecurity in a hybrid workplace. Educating employees and partnering with a firm specializing in cybersecurity like SkyViewTek will increased your likelihood of avoiding a cyber security attack. Get in touch with us at 610-590-5006 to ensure you are keeping your company’s data secure.