Remote work: 10 cybersecurity tips

Working remotely means actually entering sensitive information online, so that all collaborators can use it. How to protect the cybersecurity of companies that have collaborators working remotely?

The smart workinghas become a consolidated habit for many companies. Freelancers and employees work remotely thanks to the web and its possibilities. Teleworking offers several advantages, such as the possibility of enjoying flexible hours. However, it also brings numerous risks, especially in terms of IT security. Working remotely means inputting confidential information online so that all collaborators can use it. Protecting this information is an essential priority for companies, otherwise data breaches and possible economic losses may occur. The question naturally arises: how to protect the cyber securityof companies with agile workers? 

1.   Keep passwords safe

Every remote freelancer and employee has their own account and password to loginto work platforms. In fact, to work remotely, it is necessary to access management platforms, private areas of company websites, corporate collaboration software, and email accounts. Ensure effective password protection is essential to prevent unauthorized access by malicious individuals. The risk is identity theft or theft of sensitive information. The codes used to access the various teleworking collaboration tools must be generated carefully and saved effectively. 

2. Use VPN connections

Agile work brings many advantages, such as the possibility of hiring talented professionals located far from the company headquarters. Many companies can even train their collaborators remotely thanks to the advantages of e-learning. Thus, a company based in Milan can have a freelancer living in Palermo as a collaborator. This phenomenon has effectively extended the IT perimeter of companies, increasing the access points to a company’s data for cyber scammers. However, so-called VPNs can be used to secure the connection of remote collaborators. What are they? VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, which means virtual private network. It is a service that masks the connection, making it effectively invisible to third parties. The IP address is hidden, as are the data exchanged with the web, protecting a company’s vulnerable information.

3. Constantly update PC programs

Every collaborator in remote work uses their own PC. It is good for companies to ask for feedbackon the protection systems they use. In particular, it is absolutely necessary not to use pirated software to save money, as it is more vulnerable to cyber attacks and cannot be updated. In particular, updates make programs more secure by eliminating bugs and flaws from previous versions. 

4.   Use antivirus software

There has been a reported increase in cyber attacks in Italy since 2020. To work effectively in a smart working environment, every device connecting to the company’s online work tools must have updated antivirus software. The best antiviruses have effective free versions. Paid versions offer complete protection against viruses and malware. Malicious network attacks are increasingly numerous and insidious. For example, there is software capable of recording everything typed on the keyboard, rifling through sensitive information. Antiviruses scan PCs and eliminate all threats, allowing companies and collaborators to work with peace of mind.

5.   Train personnel

Personnel collaborating with a company, even in agile work mode, must be adequately trained to recognize threats. It is necessary to impart knowledge that instructs on the behaviors to adopt in case of device infection, suspicious emails, or malfunctioning personal computers.

6.   Browse secure sites

Among the behaviors employees must adopt to keep their work devices safe is browsing only secure sites. The web is like a sea full of landing points, some of which are unstable and insidious. To recognize a secure site, you must note the presence of the padlock symbol on the left in the browser’s address bar. This indicates the presence of the HTTPS protocol, a certification that guarantees a site’s reliability, meaning the encryption of data transmitted between network servers and browsers.

7.   Map access

Companies with remote collaborators need to know who enters their digital properties and what actions they take. In this regard, the IT department must monitor logins, perform identifications, and know all operations. In case of suspicious or unknown access and movements, it must immediately alert and take the necessary measures to block the potentially dangerous account and isolate it.

8.   Perform periodic backups

One of the most insidious consequences of a cyber attack is data loss. Precisely for this reason, to avoid losing previously completed work or other valuable information, backups must be made at appropriate intervals. This allows all information to be saved in a safe place, away from threats. In case of an attack, all information can be promptly restored without losing further workdays.

9.   Apply the Principle of Least Privilege

The Principle of Least Privilege is a security system that consists of assigning a specific user minimal access privileges. Essentially, each account has only the authorizations strictly necessary for its duties. In this way, in case of a malicious attack, the damage is limited to the restricted area that the profile had access to. The rest of the information remains untouched and inaccessible.

10. Adopt multi-factor authentication

One of the most recent protection systems for accessing a company’s digital assets is multi-factor authentication. To log into a platform, the first authentication level consists of entering a password. However, this is not sufficient for login. A second password, for example, is required to enter the system. This means that even if the first password is stolen, it would not be enough to make the cyber attack successful.

Agile work is a great opportunity for both employees and companies. The ability to reconcile work and personal life is very attractive to professionals increasingly attentive to work-life balance. Companies, in turn, can rely on talent located far from their operational headquarters. However, this phenomenon expands a company’s digital footprint, multiplying access points to its assets online. This is where cyber security becomes a decisive element in making smart working collaborations effective and secure.

Pubblicato in Guides & Tutorials