How to Secure Data Effectively for Remote Work Employees

Tuesday, January 12, 2021 Print Email

As long as most companies work with geographically distributed teams nowadays, more and more employees begin to work remotely. So the companies face unique security challenges. Once employees do not work on-site, they are supposed to rely on their own devices and Wi-Fi networks to access company information.

Therefore, the companies should implement comprehensive and clear policies and take proper measures to make sure the integrity and safety of the company’s information are present. So how can I protect my data when working from home?

 The 24 tips of how to maintain security when employees work remotely:

1. Implement secure remote connectivity and use VPN


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No matter what connections the company makes, they must be performed via the VPN app windows that either leverage Internet Protocol Security or IPsec, or Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to encrypt the communications from the teleworker’s remote machine. It depends on different requirements. With VPN for Windows, the corporate environment and the end-user are safeguarded to make sure there are no pesky adversaries that snoop in between. You might use a free trial with VeePN if you wonder, “How does VPN help you stay secure when working remotely?”

Try Windows VPN download because it encrypts information in transfer, letting confidential and personal information to tunnel from one tool to the next that is far away from other people to see it. Make sure you use a VPN from a credible and reliable company for your data not to be at risk to be given to a third-party.

Suppose your remote team is situated throughout the world; it might be difficult to manage. With VPN, the IP addresses will be masked, and the locations will be made untraceable, which is a big plus for your remote team. Downloading a VPN for Windows, you will save and protect all your sensitive data.

2. Two-factor authentication

With it, every time each of the employees wishes to enter the system, they are supposed to enter both the personal password, which should be about 10 characters including symbols and numbers, and they will receive a four-digit code to their private phone. With two-factor authentication, it is possible to diminish security problems by 38.2%, which is a big plus for the remote workforce.

With two-factor authentication, the second security level to necessary apps is added. This multifactor authentication utilizes a one-time password or OTP technology, smart cards, certificate-based USB tokens, and much more mastered security technologies.

 2. Do not let the employees bring their own tools

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One of the best remote work best practices is to be wary of allowing the employees to take their own devices because the risk to the protection of proprietary and confidential data as well as trade secrets data is huge. Once the proper policies are absent, the control of data on the device will be very little. So if the employee resigns or gets fired, it might be a big problem. When you do not let the employees bring their own tools, your data is safe.

4. You should have a policy in the proper place

If you want to get rid of unnecessary costs and disputes, you should carefully draft a BYOD policy in the employees’ place. Without the comprehensive policy, the disputes become invited over the data. So it is complicated to get back, and the intellectual property protection is compromised. If you wonder, “How to maintain security when employees work remotely?” This is one of the best ways out.  

5. Utilize apps to monitor information usage

You would better utilize technology, monitoring and managing information transfers, and minimizing theft risks. For instance, most employers let employees use their own smartphones for both work emails and work calls. The employees do it by using their control of the employer apps and let the email functionality be disabled if the employee wants to leave the company.

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6. Let the content storage be on the cloud only

Utilize web-based or cloud storage software that lets editing and sharing of the documents. This service is offered by a wide array of cloud storage providers and can be managed in-house, but it is remotely hosted, third party platforms that offer the most benefit to today’s businesses.

7. Ensure the app security

You should secure the storage and email utilizing on-device security applications. You might choose one of the set-and-forget email encryption devices on the market. With them, you will have end-to-end protection, and everything starting with scanning to encryption is taken care of.

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8. You should have a contingency plan to manage risks

If an employee that works online loses a computer or laptop with sensitive business data, it is important to delete or track this laptop. Such software can then be used for finding your device and for securing or destroying your personal data, info, and accounts.

9. Use telework policy

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If you are supposed to secure your teleworkers, the first thing you should do is to develop the corporate policy around it. Such a policy must outline the way information is handled, the authorizations’ level available, the acceptable things in remote access form. The risk-based solutions might be made depending on the tools’ types utilized for teleworking. You should use more stringent controls for tools that are not issued by the company specifically.

10. Endpoint security

You should install the endpoint agent with the opportunity to perform malware protection, data protection to make sure the corporate data is safe and secure. Endpoint Security it’s the cybersecurity approach to defending endpoints for all devices. Which includes all the technologies that protect these clients directly from threats and exploiting vulnerabilities.

11. Develop a streamlined system in place with supporting devices

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With it, remote work will be allowed with no disruption. For instance, the team should have a stand-up every morning, and those who work offline might join through video calls. Such calls are also conducted during the day if something needs to be clarified. Each of the projects is updated and monitored on a team collaboration site like Trello. By doing this, each team member might see the teammates they work with. Additionally, they utilize Microsoft programs that enable easy automation, communication, and sharing. Security is a necessary consideration with your remote work. With this culture of video calls and tools, the team is kept informed, connected, and engaged.

12. Use enough technical controls and policy

Mind proper cybersecurity hygiene when you work remotely in order not to have sensitive information compromised and unauthorized access into the infrastructure of the organization. So you should secure communications when you work remotely by proper employee operations security and technical controls and solutions.

When a company decides to use a wireless network, they give up knowingly a physical control portion. There are many employing wireless network dangers starting from passive information collection to active services attacks denial.

You would better select the appropriate wireless security standard for ease and growth of management. With these attributes, there will be a net of positive effects on your wireless security. Giving education resources and training to the staff will give them the necessary tools to define the possible risks.

Perform third-party penetration testing and internal audits to help identify gaps in security that might have been missed and give a fresh look at poor security practices, and detecting misconfiguration. By doing each of these steps, you will boost the overall security posture of the company.

13. Mitigate the risks involved as best as possible

Treat all personal and work information separately. Sure, your team might utilize their personal tools to reach documents and perform daily routines. However, it is necessary for them not to utilize their personal accounts for the duties that are work-related.

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14. Invest in the password manager

Every time you need to share the password, you should add one more link to the possibly broken chain. Despite the fact that your staff follows the protocols’ strictest, the software you utilize to store or communicate the data might not become compromised. Indeed, the password manager is susceptible to it as well. However, if you confine it to a single device, you might drastically eliminate the number of places your information might possibly get out.

15. Consider security training

It is simple to forget how simple it might be to lose personal information. In the era when we are all concentrated on data breaches and remote hackers, it is simple to forget something, just like leave your computer unlocked while you take a break, so your sensitive information is left wide open.

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16. Encrypt devices

Make sure the company network is containing secure connections. Update passwords regularly. By doing this, you will let the company secure the remote workforce properly. If you need more security, you should take more steps. For instance, you might consider a cloud-based storage system or incorporate automatic updates into the system. If you have more steps in place, your security for remote employees will be greater.

17. Company-paid password system

The company should fund it and relate login data and make it accessed and stored only through this service. There are many password storage services to select from.

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18. Transfer login data through telephone

You should never allow employees to share their passwords in writing. No matter when the password is given to the employee, it must be conducted through telephone inputted directly into the service of password protection. Once it is inputted into the system of password protection, this password is not supposed to be written one more time.

19. Segmented access to client data and passwords

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Even if we secure our systems very well, still, unintentional or intentional security breaches might happen. Therefore, employees receive only login data for the systems they want to have access to. If it comes to client data, employees should have access that is carefully tailored to the specific tasks. So the damage will be mitigated if a security issue arises through this or that employee.

20. Assemble a remote workforce as an employer

For many employees, working from home is considered to be a privilege. So they plan to be even more productive with more freedom. The problem with most offices is that not everyone has enough space to breathe. To ensure your sensitive data stays safe and secure through VPNs. VPNs are such networks that connect multiple users to one secured and shared network. They are a must for companies with employees that work from home and with around the world offices. Nowadays, with the growing mobile work community, VPNs are a must.  

21. Ensure you have secure tools to handle communications

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As long as many employees turn to sites like Google sites, Facebook, Whatsapp, they might share data, knowledge, and even confidential data to the third party. So you should have proper contracts with vendors to secure personal data shared on these platforms. Make sure the tool system is accessible, secure, and integrated to handle collaboration, knowledge sharing, and communications. Suppose you give these tools to your colleagues, and they will not rely on their own usage of platforms.

22. Encrypt all emails

You might receive phishing emails and spam daily. However, you should never take the chance to open them. It is a must for your remote workforce as well. Hackers might easily disguise the malicious email to be looking like an ordinary customer enquiry. If your employees tend to receive thousands of emails per day, they might be confused. So you should encrypt all emails to make certain content disguised. Therefore, your sensitive data will be protected, and only the proper recipient might see it.

23. Utilize various encryption methods

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Using various encryption methods to keep communications safe and secure and organizational information is a must. So the connections to your organizations’ network must be established via a VPN connection. Encrypted email and text messages might be available freely and simply to be set up on Android and Apple mobile tools and laptops. The cutting-edge smartphone technology also features built-in encryption for the tool that might be used by just turning it on. If you utilize such methods, you will have a great security level which is incredibly complicated to break into and simple enough to figure out that there is no excuse not to use these technologies.   

24. Apply encrypted password management

Being a remote team, you might be supposed to be sharing logins for sites’ scores. You might be tempted to send your passwords through email, which is not secure. You would better use the encrypted password management system to make password sharing very simple among teams. You might just easily share personal passwords with your team members, and they will not view the actual password. Suppose any team member leaves, and you are free to go.

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