You must Maintain Security When Employees Work Remotely. IT security is a hot topic, especially with the explosive growth of remote workers at SMEs around the world. The information technology universe has undergone quantum leaps in recent years, thanks to significant advances in mobile technology, high-speed Internet accessibility, and networking facilities. Today, more people are working from ‘home’ than ever before. These remote working opportunities require secure networks between companies and their employees. Substantial resources are being redirected at securing online communications, since one weak point is enough to bring down an entire operation.
There are many benefits to companies when they offer remote positions to employees. For starters, there is no need for as many full-time employees as before. Now, it is easy to advertise positions to a global audience and retain the best talent wherever that may be. Remote workers can be employed part time, full-time, flex-time, or on a consultancy basis. Virtual companies are springing up all over the world, and they connect people to one another in actual time via secure online communication media. Today, it is possible to maintain watertight security on open communication channels with employees in India or the Philippines and the head office in San Francisco, California.
To achieve this level of security, it is important to guard against malware, hackers, and third party interception of your data. Plus, there is always the issue of what to do with a loss of hardware. Multi-factor password authentication, SSL security, firewall protection, and other verification techniques are being used to protect the integrity of secure networks with remote employees. The first point of call is the hardware being used by the employee. Machines are at risk of infection if they receive viruses or malware through the Internet. This typically arrives via email or browsing an infected website. Companies could opt to pay for all the hardware that their employees require, although this is a costly undertaking. There are other solutions which allow for automatic updating of software and security protocols to ensure that remote computers are always protected.
- Related: 5 Effective ways to prevent ransomware entering into your PC
- 8 Ways that you can prevent hacking of your Computer/Mac/Online activity
Wi-Fi connections are often frowned upon by many businesses. The idea that you will be sending sensitive company information over the Internet can ruffle the feathers of many a CEO. However, the challenge comes when employees flit between personal computers and work computers when exchanging information. If you’re going to be sharing pictures, folders, files, and other attachments between your work and personal computers, you run the risk of infection. Wi-Fi also presents additional challenges when work computers are brought to public places like the local Starbucks, a hotel, airport, public library etc. Whenever sensitive data is being transmitted over Wi-Fi, there is always a risk of interception. It is safer to use Bluetooth technology connected through your smartphone’s Internet plan (a hot spot) as opposed to using public Wi-Fi. A proper education in Internet security is mandatory. Businesses can stave off many problems by simply providing the necessary information for their remote workers.
Possible Solutions to Maintain Security When Employees Work Remotely
- An education in safe browsing and transmission of data is sacrosanct. Companies should routinely discuss the safest ways to store data, transmit data, and communicate online with employees. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and that’s precisely why security networks must be structured with multiple trip switches to prevent an attack on the company’s servers.
- Remote employees should never connect to the Internet in a haphazard manner. The best way to do this is through an encrypted connection such as a VPN. For example, if you click here, you’ll be redirected to a listing of the most respected virtual private networks. These VPN provides a guarantee that no hacking, tracking, or interception of communications is possible. A VPN masks all online activity from the original source and safeguards all communications between a remote worker and the company. You need to read What is VPN? for complete details. You can also consider NordVPN (Special Discounted Link) which is one of the Best VPN service providers.
- One of the biggest challenges for IT security teams is updates. Since operating systems, antivirus programs, and other routine updates are mandatory – they should always be enforced. Programs need updating because they become antiquated. It is incumbent upon remote employees and companies to always run the latest software to guard against any attacks that may be brewing. Softwares like IObit Driver booster will help you to automatically update your driver software. Our readers get a special 25% discount on all IObit products. Check our IObit discount coupon page for the promo code.
- Cloud-based applications can also provide an added layer of security to all online communications. Cloud operations which function by invitation-only communications provide additional security with secure APIs. 2-factor authentication is a useful way to guard against interception of personal data, either through encryption technology, credit card information, mobile phone messaging, or email validation requests.
- Always log out of work programs and communications whenever you’re done. Try not to store passwords on your browser–use a password protector or Password manager like Sticky Password(85% Discounted link).
These are a few of the solutions to Internet security concerns with remote workers and their companies. Poor actors are continually scanning the Internet for weaknesses. That’s why anonymity, security, and encrypted communications are sacrosanct.
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