With the global market increasingly moving toward a permanent hybrid work environment, the flexibility they offer brings about new security challenges. Team members may find themselves working remotely, in company facilities, or both, at least to some degree.
While flexibility can bring increased productivity and an improved work-life balance, it will also inevitably present a new series of security issues. It’s essential to implement security best practices to empower employees to work free of worry about inadvertently placing their work and the company at risk every time they connect remotely.
Hybrid Work Security Risks
A lack of cybersecurity best practices can allow employees to unknowingly grant bad actors access to the company’s network or sensitive data. Identity theft, data breaches, and a host of other security issues can be triggered through the hybrid work model. Typical hybrid working security threats may include:
- Phishing and email scams have become increasingly sophisticated to the point of being difficult to recognize.
- Fewer and weaker security controls due to the increased use of personal devices and home Wi-Fi systems that no one is monitoring.
- Cyberattacks such as DDoS attacks could prevent employees from using or accessing internet services.
- Unsecured Wi-Fi networks, such as home or public networks that are used to access corporate accounts, can permit cybercriminals to spy on or steal sensitive data.
- Increased endpoint attacks with more employees working remotely, there will be more endpoints to secure.
- The use of personal devices is common to those working from home. Important company data may end up being stored on personal devices, and software may not be updated as rapidly or as frequently as necessary.
- Weak passwords and repeat passwords used by employees.
- Unencrypted file sharing can be a challenge as most companies will encrypt stored data but may not think to encrypt data when transferring it from one place (or employee) to another.
- Misconfiguring the cloud. This technology is essential for remote work, but access misconfigurations can furnish employees with too much access to company data and/or fail altogether to establish robust access control.
Tips for Creating a Secure Hybrid Work Environment to Empower Employees
With cybersecurity threats at an all-time high, it’s foolish to compromise on security to maintain the flexibility a hybrid work environment offers. Here are several easy-to-enact tips to empower your hybrid workplace while keeping your company’s assets and employees secure.
Train Employees to Implement Secure Work Practices
Flexible locations expose workers to new risks and threats. Companies must secure all potential endpoints by instructing employees about potential threats and hazards, as well as which best practices to use.
MFA/Zero Trust Ensures Those Accessing Company Files and Information Are Who They Say They Are
Before granting access to company files, assets, or sensitive information, multi-factor authentication should be in place as a first line of defense. This might include your login name and password, followed by a code to your mobile phone or a biometric check such as facial recognition or a fingerprint. These additional checks can verify employee identities and aid in maintaining the protection of devices.
Zero trust takes MFA a step further, as it is based on the premise that no person or device should be afforded access unless absolutely necessary. Every time an employee logs in or a device is used, identity must be authenticated.
Ensure Safe Remote Access
The use of a virtual private network (VPN) can help ensure a secure connection between the employee’s device and the internet before the worker’s web traffic is sent to the desired application or website. VPNs, such as Surfshark VPN, help prevent bad actors from tracking and storing online activity and prevent the interception of data transfers over the internet; this is especially important for remote or hybrid work. Whether workers are at home or on the road, they can remain productive because security measures are in place.
Secure Entry Points
Hackers and cybercriminals will generally focus on weak endpoints or weak endpoint users. To protect employees, furnish new antivirus software that integrates AI and machine learning to detect threats beyond reading malware signatures.
Using data analytics, attacks can be prevented before they take place. Leveraging analytics and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) or threats that have violated perimeter defenses can identify suspicious activity and block them.
Using an Integrated Platform
Patchworking security products will also create variability in the user experience. Security can be more efficient and easier when managed from an integrated platform that seamlessly connects all apps, software, and products with the company’s infrastructure.
Final Thoughts
Recognizing the risks of the hybrid workplace is the first step in defending it. Identifying emerging threats and planning for improved detection and preventive evaluations will keep company assets and employees safe. By heightening employees’ awareness and ensuring proper training, companies can enact a security-first mentality toward technology use, ensuring everyone in an organization can work securely from anywhere.