Remote and distributed teams have become commonplace, and by all accounts, productivity isn’t suffering because of it. That said, this arrangement creates a new, much wider attack surface that puts sensitive data at greater risk.
The following are the dangers to account for, along with proven strategies for reducing the risks.
Key Takeaways
- Device security is imperative. Workers need to make sure it’s physically secure, up to date, and set up to minimize data exposure.
- Personal responsibility, threat awareness, and secure data sharing round out a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.
- The network remote workers connect from is also important. Mobile networks are more secure alternatives to public Wi-Fi and can be easily accessed even abroad by using international eSIMs.
Device Misuse
Remote workers, especially freelancers with temporary ties to their employers, often only have one device for personal and professional use. This puts data at risk since they’re more likely to download malicious content or visit harmful websites during downtime. Even if the person uses their device responsibly, it can’t be monitored as effectively due to privacy concerns.
How to avoid: Device management and use policies
Ideally, companies should provide remote workers with dedicated devices. If that’s not feasible, a BYOD policy should be developed. It should outline requirements like separate profiles for work and personal use, as well as contain a list of sanctioned apps and programs.
Endpoint Vulnerability
Similarly, personal devices might lack endpoint protection software like antivirus and antimalware, or they might not be set up to receive automatic updates. Attackers eventually discover most unpatched vulnerabilities and may exploit them to gain unauthorized access to the device and any sensitive data tied to it.
How to avoid: Implement effective endpoint security measures
All devices used for remote work should be up to high security standards regardless of ownership. This means encrypted storage, automatic updates for the operating system and installed apps, and active threat mitigation through regular antivirus scans.
Device Theft
Working from various public places puts devices at physical risk. Theft can be devastating, doubly so if the device is unlocked and lets the thief easily access active dashboards, open apps, and the data stored within.
How to avoid: Invest in physical and digital security
Theft becomes much less likely if remote workers keep an eye on their devices at all times and secure bulkier ones like laptops with anti-theft locks. Even if a device gets stolen, setting it to lock as soon as it’s not in use, requiring biometrics to unlock it, and encrypting its storage drives will help deter and mitigate data exposure.
Unsecured Networks
Mobility lets remote employees work from anywhere. While many will work from home, some may connect to unsafe networks locally or abroad if they adopt the digital nomad lifestyle. Such networks, particularly public Wi-Fi, offer fewer protections and are more susceptible to monitoring and man-in-the-middle attacks.
How to avoid: Use cybersecurity tools and safer alternatives
It’s best to avoid public Wi-Fi altogether. Mobile networks are more secure, so switching to mobile data is already an effective measure. People who work remotely abroad can substitute their local carrier with an eSIM. This lets them take advantage of local mobile coverage and send or receive data securely without having to pay steep roaming fees.
To find a reliable provider, do your own research. A good starting point would be checking user sentiment on forums, like this Saily review, or online feedback platforms for specific use cases. This way you’ll know which provider won’t leave you stranded when you need it.
Weak Authentication
Without oversight, remote workers may reuse passwords across accounts or have weak ones that are easy to guess. Since they’re more likely to access apps and company systems from different IP addresses, it also becomes harder to detect when accounts are compromised.
How to avoid: Implement robust authentication practices
Authentication is a dual responsibility. On the one hand, remote colleagues should use strong, unique passwords for all accounts and strengthen them with multi-factor authentication. On the other, the company should implement network segmentation and role-based access controls to minimize the exposure of sensitive data.
Unsafe Data Sharing Practices
Data sharing is much more prevalent when collaborating with remote workers. Data might be shared through various insecure channels, increasing the chances of leaks. Oversharing compounds this problem.
How to Avoid: Secure data sharing policies
Data should be classified by importance and confidentiality, and only shared when necessary. Even then, sharing should happen through vetted communication and storage tools through restricted, temporary links.
Phishing and Social Engineering Attacks
By necessity, communication with remote workers is mostly digital and less personal than in-person alternatives. This makes them more vulnerable to social engineering attacks that rely on impersonation. AI augments attacks by quickly scraping the internet and creating business correspondence that convincingly mimics a higher-up’s style and references specific touch points.
How to avoid: Training and awareness
It’s increasingly important for all workers, not just remote ones, to scrutinize and verify any communication they find suspicious. Making sure that correspondence comes from an official address or following up with the supposed sender through a different channel isn’t excessive; it’s become due diligence.
