Would you leave the door to office premises wide open overnight? Hopefully not. But oddly enough, similar circumstances can arise when businesses embrace remote work without the right cyber security measures.
As more businesses facilitate remote work, the vulnerabilities from having a wider attack surface increase significantly. Unsecured devices, weak passwords, vulnerable network security, and unprepared team members can cause cyber security trouble. Phishing attacks, malware infections, as well as compromised accounts, credentials and infrastructure are on the rise. Nevertheless, even if the digital workplace lacks physical walls, it doesn’t mean it should lack defences.
Whether your remote workforce includes local employees, global resources, mobile teams, contractors, or hybrid setups – prepare them and your business well with the following cyber security best practices. You can also gain additional expertise through holistic cyber security services and solutions.
Cyber Security Best Practices for Remote Teams
1. Implement Strong Password Policies & Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Perhaps it’s unsurprising that weak or reused passwords remain one of the easiest ways for cybercriminals to breach systems. Remote workers, particularly working within BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) environments can be particularly susceptible to using weak passwords.
Implement strong password policies that require unique, complex credentials to mitigate the risks of compromised accounts. Consider password management tools, which generate and store strong passwords for user accounts. The added benefit of these tools is removing the need for employees to remember passwords for multiple accounts.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is another effective layer of security. Prompt team members to verify their identity through an additional method, such as a one-time code, biometric scan, or authenticator app to reduce unauthorised access.
2. Strengthen and Secure Remote Access
Your team might be logging in from a home office, airport lounge, or café with questionable Wi-Fi… But no matter where they work, they need a secure way to connect. Encouraging team members to work on secure, encrypted Wi-Fi connections or use their mobile as a hotspot, and implement strong passwords and MFA is a great first step.
You may also like to administer regular software updates, anti-virus and antimalware software, and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to encrypt traffic and keep data safe. It’s also useful to implement more stringent access controls – limiting user permissions based on their role and job function.
3. Endpoint Security & Device Management
Every laptop, tablet, and mobile phone is a potential entry point for cyberattacks. Similar to the previous tips for securing remote access, implementing managed antivirus software and automatic updates are useful endpoint security solutions.
Whether remote workers use company or personal devices, consider device enrolment where configuration profiles are installed with security policies. Tracking device activity and security events through logging and reporting can also be helpful in identifying potential issues and investigating incidents.
4. Reinforce Data Security & Encryption
Data is one of your business’s most valuable assets. This includes customer information, financial records, intellectual property, and other sensitive details cybercriminals can exploit. The bad news is that the potential financial, legal and reputational consequences from a breach can linger, long after an incident occurs.
Encrypting data, both in transit and at end points, reduces these risks. You may also like to implement strict access controls, secure file-sharing methods, and automated backup solutions to further safeguard sensitive information.
5. Deliver Cyber Security Training & Awareness to Employees
Research has consistently shown human error is responsible for an overwhelming majority of successful cyber attacks. Regardless of how secure your business’s systems are, individual errors, either intentional or accidental, can have devastating impact. Beyond business impact, cyber breaches can have significant negative impact on employee mental health. So it’s crucial to support them well.
Comprehensive, well-planned cyber security awareness training can transform your team into your first line of defence, improve their confidence and cultivate long-term business resilience.
Empower them with the knowledge to spot and report phishing attempts (one of the top-reported activities, 23%, leading to critical infrastructure-related incidents), handle sensitive data securely, recognise social engineering tactics, and avoid unauthorised disclosure of sensitive information.
6. Prepare For the Unexpected with Incident Response Planning
The increasing frequency of cyber incidents means they’re often a matter of ‘when,’ not ‘if.’ When business downtime means dollars, the ability to recover quickly, reliably and securely can be invaluable.
Get support defining an effective incident response and data recovery plan to ensure your business can act quickly, should the unexpected arise. Your plan should outline roles, communication protocols, and recovery steps to mitigate damage, downtime and financial impact following a security breach.
7. Practice Regular Security Audits & Assessments
Since cyber threats are constantly evolving, standing still doesn’t cut the mustard. Practice regular security audits to assess vulnerabilities, conduct penetration testing and perform compliance checks. Enable your business to continue identifying potential weaknesses before attackers can exploit them, or new threats emerge.
8. Gain IT Expertise & Support
Thinking cyber criminals only target large organisations or selected industries is a common misconception. They do not discriminate. As such, all businesses, no matter your size or industry, benefit from cyber security solutions. (Our team understands this first hand, with a depth of experience supporting businesses with cyber security solutions in Cairns and beyond.)
Particularly for businesses with remote workforces, partnering with an IT services provider can deliver expert guidance, streamlined systems and processes, manageable employee training and comprehensive security solutions. Better yet, a managed IT partner can deliver tailored strategies to safeguard your business, without overburdening your internal teams.
Implementing Cyber Security Best Practices: What Benefits Can You Expect to Achieve?
Investing in cyber security for your remote workforce lays a strong foundation for long-term business resilience and success.
Some of the most notable benefits include:
- Reduced risk of cyberattacks and data breaches.
- Improved employee productivity, confidence and efficiency.
- Enhanced brand reputation and customer trust.
- Increased compliance with industry regulations, such as:
- The Privacy Act 1988
- The Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) scheme
- Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) Regulations
- Health Services Act 1991
- Corporations Act 2001
- APPRA (Australian Prudential Regulation Authority).
- Cost savings from preventing expensive data recovery and remediation efforts.
As remote work blurs the boundaries of traditional security, businesses must rethink how they protect critical data, devices, and employees. Safeguard your most important assets through these best practices and a comprehensive cyber security strategy.
Interested in gaining support from a Cairns cyber security services provider? Get an instant quote in under 5 minutes.
