Cyber Risks & Security for Remote Workers

Working from home has been the new normal for many employees all over the world. Although COVID-19 caused a lot of stress, it also relieved many workers from their daily commute. The unexpected change in the working environment didn't give enterprises much time to plan. The increase of cyber risks for remote workers is a reason why you need a good business continuity plan. The security for remote workers is important to pay attention to.

Working from home becomes an open door to new ways of data theft and companies are facing increased cyber risks. Hackers are already exploiting the opportunity to attack unprepared businesses with more than 2,600 detected threats a day according to Check Point Research. In this blog, we review four reasons remote workers are vulnerable parts of your enterprise's network. Read until the end for a solution you could put in today.

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Why Remote Workers Are a Target

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Unsecure Wi-Fi at Home

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When working at the office, there comes a luxury of high-speed and highly secured Wi-Fi for all employees. Unfortunately, when working out of your spare bedroom or living room, users don’t get this luxury. They are not living in a corporate enterprise.

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It’s important for employees to know that Wi-Fi used in homes and in businesses have different security purposes. If managers want their employees to work as efficiently as they did in the office, they will need to give newer types of technology. This includes, high-spec hardware like laptops, smartphones and printers), updated software (video-conferencing tools and data management systems), and reliable Wi-Fi (fast broadband and secure access to the corporate network via VPN).

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Weak IT Security Measures for Employees

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Since cybercriminals are seen going for large corporations with high-security measures, going for corporations with weaker security measures is like a piece of cake for them. This is why all enterprises need to put in stricter IT security measures for their remote workers. Enterprises don't realize their remote workers are their most vulnerable entry points.

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COVID-19 Pandemic

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After a year into the global pandemic, some companies with new employees are aware of the security measures that need to be put in place. Although, employees who got sent home urgently might not have the same security measures put in place right now. Cybercriminals are trying to see the weaknesses in remote IT security measures. Companies really need to adapt IT security measures for remote workers. They also need to align them with the measures relevant to the physical office. Not enough employees state that they are worried about their at-home cyber and data security. Only 14% of survey respondents are concerned. By creating more awareness of these risks, IT managers need to train all employees about the risks of cybersecurity. You can schedule a free consultation call with one of our experts. You can learn more about training options for your employees and how to lower the risk of cyber risks for them.

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Use of Computer for Personal and Work Reasons

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Like the luxury of having fast internet and security, having a company computer was also a luxury some employees can't have anymore. Many are using their personal computer for work. With this, users have all their credit card information, online shopping account details, Netflix account credentials and even social media history. That lets cybercriminals to launch phishing attacks against personal email addresses, which are opened on the right device, and they can provide access to a corporate network. Proving employees with either an iPad, computer or laptop for work purposes, can save many cyberattacks from happening. Investing in something like this is worth it for the security of remote workers but also your enterprise. Enterprises think they're saving money when they are not proving a company laptop to their employees. However, this is giving another unsafe entry for hackers.

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New & Easier Form of Theft for the Cyber Criminal

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With all the exclusive conditions over the last year, cybercriminals are taking advantage and are more driven than ever to attack. By relying on being digitally connected, businesses and enterprises are connecting with their employees this way. Cybercriminals are turning tactics and exploiting COVID-19-related fears in the population. Because of this, working from home is becoming an open point to new forms of data robbery. Enterprises are solving all conversations, deals, projects and personal issues through emails and corporate screen networks. This is easier for hackers to get into networks through phishing or ransomware attacks.

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Why Enterprises Need to Care

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Enterprises need to care about this increase of cyber risks for their at-home workers for different reasons. One is, so that there are less cases of ransomware and other types of malware in the enterprise. When there is no plan of action, more downtime will be needed from the IT department.

These viruses and malware can hurt employee's workflow which can lead to problems which need more IT service. It is important for IT managers to know what to do when these attacks happen, so recovery is easier. Education is valuable…

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How Assurance IT Can Help

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At Assurance IT, it is our job to educate users, protect enterprises from cyberattacks targeting valuable data. We provide solutions to recover operations in the event of a physical, digital or cyber disaster. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been more cyber risks and attacks for remote workers. Corporate businesses need to care about the security for remote workers. As mentioned before, you can schedule a free consultation to speak with one of our experts about training methods.

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