Discover the leading SaaS software comparison site

Each month we help +100k companies to find efficient online tools

What Remote Companies Need to Know About Cybersecurity

by Arthur Zuckerman

If you haven’t been paying attention, you may be surprised at the magnitude of changes in cybersecurity over the last decade. The rise of cloud-based services, mobile devices and IoT, as well as an increase in cyberattacks and data breaches, have created a new set of security challenges for remote businesses.

What has been traditionally managed onsite – such as firewalls and antivirus software – are now managed in the cloud. This shift has allowed remote companies to scale more quickly, but also exposed them to increased risk from cyber criminals and the potential for data loss or theft.

The use of mobile devices has multiplied with the rise of teleworking, bringing their own set of risks such as lost or stolen laptops containing confidential information. Additionally, the internet of things (IoT) has provided an ever-growing attack surface for hackers to exploit.

Organizations must now account for these changes and create effective strategies to protect against them. This means investing in advanced cybersecurity solutions such as multi-factor authentication, encrypted data storage, and continuous monitoring tools to detect threats and respond quickly.

The landscape of cybersecurity will continue to evolve, and remote companies must stay up to date on the latest threats and solutions if they want to remain secure. Taking these steps now can help keep their business, customers, and confidential data safe from malicious actors.

Below are some things remote companies need to know about cybersecurity.

Phishing attacks are way up

A lot of people are unaware of just how much phishing attacks have increased in the last decade. Phishing emails often contain malicious links or attachments and are designed to look like legitimate communications from trusted sources. By clicking on these links, users can unknowingly download malware onto their computer or provide hackers with confidential information such as passwords or bank account details.

Therefore, it is crucial for remote companies to educate their employees about how to spot phishing scams and take measures such as two-factor authentication to protect against them. Additionally, organizations should consider investing in advanced anti-phishing solutions that can detect and block malicious emails before they reach their users.

It is not just emails that are the problem, however. Phishing is very often a multipronged attack that involves social media, email and, perhaps surprisingly, the telephone. Being able to tell who’s calling before picking up the phone can be an invaluable tool in protecting against these phishing scams.

Using a call screening solution, companies can verify incoming calls with caller-ID and prerecorded messages to make sure they are only interacting with valid customers or vendors.

The vulnerability of open wifi

Remote work often means that employees (and maybe even owners) are working from unsecured wireless networks. This can be incredibly dangerous as it leaves companies wide open to cybercrime from hackers on the same wifi.

Employees should always use secure and encrypted networks whenever possible. If that is not an option, businesses should invest in a virtual private network (VPN) for their remote employees.

A VPN creates a secure tunnel between devices and encrypts data sent and received, making it much harder for hackers to intercept or access any confidential data.

Businesses should also create policies surrounding the use of public wifi networks, including not accessing certain websites or services on unsecured connections. Additionally, employees should avoid logging into their work accounts when using an open network as this can put company data at risk.

The importance of data backups

Data loss or theft is a major concern for many businesses, but fortunately having a backup plan in place can help protect against it. Regularly backing up important files and data to secure offsite servers means that even if the worst happens, companies have access to their critical documents and information.

Companies should also ensure that their backup systems are secure and encrypted, especially if they are stored in the cloud. This is where a strong password policy can come into play to help protect against unauthorized access.

Additionally, companies should consider investing in automated backup solutions so that all data is regularly backed up without having to manually back up files each time.

Organizations should also follow the best practice of keeping multiple backups and have them stored offsite in case one fails or is corrupted. This can help ensure that businesses always have access to their important data regardless of what happens.

Ultimately, having a solid backup plan in place can be a lifesaver for companies looking to protect against data loss.

Ensuring cloud security

Many remote companies rely on the cloud for storage and other services, but it is important to remember that the cloud can also be a target for malicious actors. Companies should take steps to ensure that their data is secure when stored in the cloud by encrypting sensitive information, restricting access to only essential personnel, and using strong passwords.

It is also important for businesses to have a plan in place for what to do if their cloud service provider experiences an outage. Having access to the data stored on their cloud servers could be critical during a time of crisis and so having multiple backup plans can help ensure that companies are always able to access their data when they need it most.

Finally, businesses should never store passwords or other sensitive information in the cloud. Instead, they should use a secure password manager to store credentials and other confidential information on their local network. Doing this helps ensure that even if hackers gain access to the company’s cloud servers, they will not be able to access any sensitive data.

By following these best practices, businesses can ensure that their data is secure when stored in the cloud and that they are protected in case of an outage or attack.

Using two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a powerful security measure that adds an additional layer of protection to online accounts and services. It requires users to enter both a password and a second form of authentication, such as an SMS code or fingerprint scan before they can log into their accounts.

This makes it much harder for hackers to gain access as they would need to have physical access to the device in order to do so.

Businesses should consider using 2FA for all employees who access sensitive data or services, as it helps to protect against account takeovers and unauthorized access. Companies should also ensure that their users have enabled two-factor authentication on any services they use, such as email, social media accounts, file-sharing services, or other online accounts.

By taking the time to implement two-factor authentication, businesses can ensure that their data and services are properly secured against malicious actors.

Enforcing cyber security policies

Having a comprehensive cyber security policy in place is essential for companies who want to protect their data and systems from unauthorized access or malware. Companies should create a policy that outlines how employees should use data, their devices, and other services securely. It should also include measures for preventing phishing attacks and other online threats as well as details on how to report any suspicious activity or security incidents.

Additionally, companies need to ensure that all employees are aware of the policy and that they understand their obligations when it comes to protecting company data.

Organizations should also create a system of checks and balances for monitoring employee activity, such as regular audits or spot checks.

By taking the time to implement a cyber security policy and enforce it across all employees, companies can ensure that their data is properly protected from external threats.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity is essential for any business, but especially for remote companies that rely heavily on the cloud and their employees to access sensitive data.

By taking the time to implement best practices such as two-factor authentication, encryption of confidential information, and a comprehensive cyber security policy, businesses can ensure that their data is secure and protected from malicious actors.

By taking the time to understand and properly implement these cyber security measures, companies can rest assured that their data is safe and secure.

You may also like

Leave a Comment