Due to covid-19 pandemic, many people were introduced to a new way of working. Instead of physically going to work, they can now perform their responsibilities in the comfort of their homes.
That sudden transition has made many businesses struggle to put their security measures in place, increasing the risk of cyberattacks. Even if they perform risk assessments regularly, keeping track of their remote employees continues to be a threat. Based on a report, they’re the ones responsible for 20% of the overall organization’s security breaches.
Whether you own an online company or a remote worker, you’ll have to learn simple steps to protect the sensitive data you’re dealing with at work. But before we dive into that, let’s first understand why it’s critical in this age of remote work.
Why You Need To Secure Your Data
With almost everything going online, cyberattacks have become more prevalent today. According to statistics, around 2328 cyber crimes are believed to occur every single day. And in 2021 alone, the reported losses for all cyberattacks exceeded $6 trillion.
Given this alarming data, it’s very crucial for companies to have strong cybersecurity measures. One breach can risk everything. Not only can it lose the trust of the customers, but it can also lead to the business closing. Imagine all the money and effort of building a company and losing in a snap—it can be devastating.
Hence, you should know how to mitigate these threats. If you don’t know where to start, follow our few remote security tips below to keep your data protected in this age of remote work.
Tips for Protecting Confidential Information
Have Your Own Working Area
Considering you deal with confidential information, it’s very critical to have your own working space. Don’t ever work outdoors, especially when you’re in the financial industry. Doing so can lower the risks of unauthorized access. Moreover, having a designated workspace may also help you stay organized and productive.
Create And Use Strong Passwords
Passwords are very important when it comes to cybersecurity. They serve as your key to accessing sensitive files. Thus, it’s crucial to have complex ones to make it difficult for threat actors to attempt unauthorized access.
When creating a password, always use a combination of capital and small letters, numbers, and special characters. Also, avoid using common words and a number sequence. If you find it hard to think of one, you may use a company-recommended password generator. It could make the process easier.
Just keep in mind to update your password regularly to enhance security.
Set Up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Once you have that solid password, enroll your account to MFA to further strengthen security. It will add an extra layer of protection, preventing hackers from entering your system.
Generally, MFA works by asking for a secondary authentication after verifying your typical username and password. It may ask for your fingerprint, a token, or a one-time code sent to your mobile device before it allows you to access the account. However, of course, you will decide which MFA option would be best for your convenience.
By setting up MFA, you can lower the risks of unauthorized access.
Secure Your Network
It would also be best to secure your network by separating the Wi-Fi network of your personal device from company equipment. If your company has an issued Virtual Private Network (VPN), use it to access any of your work accounts. This could help reduce the risks of data breaches.
Moreover, don’t ever connect your work laptop to public Wi-Fi if you plan to work outside. Just use your personal hotspot instead. As for your home routers, keep them updated with the latest software and secure with a strong password.
Keep The Systems Updated
Know that it’s not just your home routers that will need updating. You also have to update your work equipment and its programs to the latest version. It may have improved and additional features that can enhance its overall functionalities. You can set up automatic updates to avoid the hassle of doing it manually.
Beware of Cyber Threats
With many cyberattacks happening every day and threat actors constantly innovating their strategies to gain access to your data, it’s crucial for remote workers to learn how to identify and avoid scams. Lack of awareness of cyber threats and not taking necessary measures to protect confidential information will only leave organizations and individuals vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Back Up Your Data
Finally, always back up your data to a cloud solution or hard drive to keep them safe. If anything goes wrong, like accidentally deleting the files on your device, you won’t have anything to worry about knowing that you have a backup copy of them somewhere that you can easily restore.
The Bottom Line
In this age of remote work, having strong cybersecurity measures is crucial now more than ever. It can keep all types of data from getting accessed, modified, or deleted by unauthorized users. Thus, follow our remote security tips to protect any confidential information you manage at work.
