4 Steps to Improve IT Security When Staff Work Remotely

Giving your employees the option to work remotely is great on both ends. Employees love being able to stay home instead of tackling the commute, and employers enjoy cutting down on office costs and sourcing talent from all across the country.

Of course, IT security can sometimes suffer when staff are allowed to work remotely. And here is where external service providers can come in. The use of certain email platforms, for instance, may leave room for security risks to company data. So, when emails are managed by simplelists and other agencies of similar calibre, data could be archived efficiently, and protective measures for viruses can be put in place. This could fortify the company’s defence against data theft and cyberattacks.

However, here are just 4 steps you can take to tighten things up on your own.

1. Use Mobile Device Management Systems

Mobile device management (MDM) programs allow you to take over the administration of mobile devices, including laptops and desktop computers, remotely. This means that you’ll be able to set strong password regulations and stipulate exactly how a device is used, or at least how the device is utilized when it is being used for business purposes. Companies that are looking to get Mobile security in Microsoft Intune, and other applications, can consult a cybersecurity expert who can assist in setting up an MDM program for the employee devices as well as a secure business application for mobile. With the help of such aid, you’ll also be able to wipe the memory remotely or restrict access if a business device is ever lost or stolen.

2. Ensure Up to Date Security

All devices used as part of your network should be properly protected by anti-virus software, firewalls, and encryption software. If your employees are working from home on their personal devices, those systems might not be used or not be up to scratch. To avoid vulnerabilities, make sure devices have the latest security software, and opt for cloud-based programs that can be updated and managed remotely, ensuring all security patches are applied promptly.

For more comprehensive protection, you can consider using privacy risk mitigation tools that offer advanced monitoring and management solutions that help businesses track the security of their network, identify potential vulnerabilities, and respond to threats in real-time. Such online platforms and sites like https://breachaware.com/, generally allow companies to continuously monitor their devices, data, and systems, providing alerts for any suspicious activity or potential breaches. This proactive approach can significantly reduce the risk of security incidents, especially when employees are accessing sensitive company information from personal devices outside of the office.

Regularly review the security of all devices connected to your network to ensure that remote work environments are as secure as possible. By maintaining a robust, up-to-date defense system and utilizing cloud-based solutions, you can help protect your business from cyber threats, no matter where your employees are working from.

3. Adopt Email Encryption

Email encryption used to be used almost solely by businesses that dealt with very sensitive data, such as those in the finance industry. However, it’s now becoming more popular with other companies, and it’s a good idea to think about email encryption if your employees work from home. After all, email is going to be one of the main ways you communicate, and those communications can serve as a useful backdoor for cyber criminals. Email encryption services make sure only you and the intended reader can read your messages.

4. Install VPNs

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It can be used to encrypt a remote employee’s internet traffic, adding security patches and monitoring for signs of infection in the process. A VPN essentially forms your own business network, so users will be able to securely access the business intranet while outside the office itself.