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Prioritizing Security for Work-From-Home Employees 

Prioritizing Security for Work-From-Home Employees

Over the last year, numerous businesses have chosen to manage their teams remotely to minimize the spread of COVID-19. While this shift may reduce the spread of the physical virus, many companies have not considered the increased risk of their employees encountering a computer virus or similar cyber threat from their home offices.

Unfortunately, cyberattacks are more prevalent now than ever before, with experts predicting that cybercrime will cost the global economy more than $6 trillion in 2021 alone. With more and more employees accessing company data from unsecured networks, businesses must take steps to counteract cyberattacks before they occur. The following information sheds light on the ways that businesses can protect their remote teams in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Unprecedented Risks of WFH

With a rising number of teams going remote, it’s no surprise that cyber threats are skyrocketing. After all, most individuals don’t invest in the same level of cybersecurity measures as their companies do — at-home networks are less likely to have firewalls and more likely to utilize consumer-grade modems with weak security and support.

These security gaps lead to numerous vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit to access confidential information. Without the protection of enterprise-class security measures, employees are susceptible to a wide range of cyberthreats, from phishing emails to malicious pop-up ads and false networks. Enact these useful policies to help secure your business and employees.

Secure Your SaaS Applications

In today’s digital age, workers tend to use Software as a Service (SaaS) to work remotely from non-corporate devices. SaaS does not place employees behind the company firewall, which results in weakened security and heightened vulnerabilities. Some of the most effective ways to strengthen the security measures on SaaS are to implement Single Sign-On (SSO) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) features.

SSO eliminates the possibility of other users accessing an employee’s software while he or she is already signed in. On top of that, Multi-Factor Authentication sends employees security codes to their other devices so that they can log into their company accounts. Finally, conditional access policies are an effective way to ensure that no one besides your team can access private company information via SaaS applications.

More Distractions, More Cybersecurity Threats

Yet another risky aspect of remote working is the high level of distraction that employees experience. Whether because of home-schooling children, household chores or the temptation to use time-wasting apps, it can be easy for employees to get off-task while working from home. Unfortunately, this heightened distraction can give way to serious cyberattacks and threats.

To counteract the risk of distraction, your business can utilize a state-of-the-art email gateway system to detect malicious phishing emails. On top of that, URL rewriting systems can check URLs on the way in and out to ensure their safety.

In case of a physical breach, your team can utilize Mobile Device Management (MDM) or Mobile Application Management (MAM) to secure devices regardless of their location. Even if a device is lost or stolen, it can be tracked and wiped of all private information using these features.

Partner With Our Experienced Professionals to Stay Secure

By implementing the proper cybersecurity measures on your remote team’s devices, you can significantly reduce your risk of cyberattacks. To learn more about keeping your business secure during the COVID-19 pandemic, connect with our friendly team at In The Cloud Technologies by calling 857 321 8458 or filling out our simple contact form today.