Image by Elchinator from Pixabay
By Joanna Sobran
Working from home has many benefits. From minimizing the spread of communicable diseases to reducing air pollution, the advantages for remote workers and their companies continues to unfold. However, working from home does present some challenges, as well. Foremost is the potential increase in security vulnerabilities.
As more employees make the shift to remote work, employers and IT professionals should compensate for amplified exposure and move toward stronger security measures. Here is a brief examination of the risks that working virtually can present and the importance of maintaining a robust backup and disaster recovery (BDR) plan.
Possible risks and top security concerns
With the number of cyberattacks rising each year, formidable cybersecurity is a must for companies, no matter their size. In fact, small-to-midsize businesses have become more attractive as targets due to their perceived low-risk, high-reward standing regarding personal identifying information (PII) theft.
To address the threats, they must first be identified. Common risks and areas of concern include:
-Weak passwords and credentials
-Phishing emails
-Unencrypted file-sharing
-Unsecured devices and networks
While passwords and credentials can be compromised in the office, unprotected devices and connections in the home might magnify accessibility. When data is breached, it can create opportunities for ransomware attacks, sabotage, theft and reputational damage.
Addressing these threats might involve putting a remote work security policy in place, utilizing virtual private networks (VPNs) and next-generation firewalls. Employee training regarding strong passwords and the detection of phishing email attacks is recommended, as well. Lastly, organizations can work to improve data sharing security through file-sharing services that feature built-in security, such as Dropbox or OneDrive.
Backup and disaster recovery
Addressing security also requires assessing current BDR plans. This could include questioning if recovery time objectives (RTO) and recovery point objectives (RPO) are up-to-date and can be met with current backup and recovery technologies.
Another necessary step in safeguarding data is to perform routine backups. Such supportive measures should include remote employees’ devices, the Cloud and corporate networks. Many innovative BDR solutions can conduct automatic backups every few minutes with data storage across multiple locations to fit any company’s file-sharing needs.
It’s essential not only to arrange secure Internet connections for remote employees, but also to establish secondary ones as well. Stay ahead of any interruptions or fiascos by teaching your team how to use their smartphones as hot spots to connect to the company’s VPN. While hotspots may not always have the desired connection security, they can be effective if disaster strikes.
Meeting demands
Adapting to the ever-changing realm of cybersecurity requires continuous research and security updates to help prevent an attack or facilitate a smoother recovery. To meet demands and stay safe in the event of vulnerability, there are vital preventative steps. Businesses should start by ensuring that company data is safe and can be recovered easily through comprehensive BDR tactics.
For more information on backup and disaster recovery, please see the accompanying resource.
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Joanna Sobran is president and CEO of MXOtech. Sobran has unique and vast experience in the IT industry. For more than a decade, she has focused on delivering a high-level customer experience with innovation. She has created a niche for MXOtech by approaching each client’s business individually, with creative technology solutions crafted specifically to address its issues. Whether it’s through using better technology solutions, improving operations or education, Sobran treasures her clients and truly cares about their success.
