Overcoming the Security Challenges of a Remote Workforce
As more companies are suggesting or mandating their employees to work from home to minimize the spread of COVID-19, many employees who are not used to remote work are trying to figure out how to adapt.
I’ve been reading lots of helpful tips and tricks for staying productive (and sane) during this time. Some advice I’m implementing, like sticking to a schedule, and getting outside for walks. Others I’m choosing to ignore, like get dressed in regular work attire (these are my work sweatpants, thank you very much). But it’s not just productivity that we need to consider when working remote, it’s important that we remain diligent in following best security practices. Here are some security considerations you should review with your newly remote workforce.
Tips to security concerns for a newly remote workforce
- Reset and strengthen home WiFi passwords:
- Have users ensure their home WiFi connection is secure. Now is a good time to reset WiFi passwords and provide access only to trusted individuals.
- Enable two-factor authentication and use password management:
- Remind users to never leave written passwords out where they can be seen. Consider using a password manager to keep track of login credentials and enable two-factor authentication for online accounts whenever possible.
- Update devices with the latest OS and security patches:
- Help users ensure that their device is updated with the latest OS and security patches.
- Connect to the company-provided VPN:
- Have users connect to the company-provided VPN if available. Barracuda provides a CloudGen Firewall equipped with highly resilient VPN technology to secure distributed environments.
- Be cautious when clicking on links:
- Remind users to take caution when clicking links. Working from home often means increased distractions and less scrutiny when presented with hyperlinks that arrive via email, Slack, etc. Businesses should consider using a SaaS content filtering solution like Barracuda Content Shield to protect remote users from malicious web content.
- Remind them they are the last line of defense for security, to keep alert, and notify your company IT team of any suspicious activities:
- Reiterate that as a user, they are the most important last line of defense for security. When working from home, it’s critical to maintain good security behavior.
When working from home, it's critical to maintain reasonable security behavior. Consider a security awareness training solution like Barracuda PhishLine to reinforce the best security practices for on-site and remote users throughout the year.