With the increase in hybrid and remote work during the holidays, companies face challenges concerning cyber security. Companies must address the risk of traveling while working from home as employees begin to scatter across the globe to be with their loved ones (WFH). Businesses are responsible for implementing cyber security so their employees can securely work from home. If you’re looking to shift towards a hybrid or remote workforce, continue reading to learn the pros and cons of WFH travel.
Benefits of cyber security for remote work
By implementing a cyber security strategy, you’re setting your business up for long-term success. Business leaders want to incorporate the best cyber security practices to protect their businesses, enhance productivity, and ensure their employees can work safely. With strategic planning and implementation, setting a precedent will ensure that these IT security practices become the standard and will carry on for future employees who work remotely and travel.
Essential IT security tips for remote work while traveling
1. Use a VPN
Employees may work in cafes or coworking spaces when traveling to another city if no other Wi-Fi options are available. These remote and hybrid employees look for accessible public Wi-Fi to connect to their work networks. While accessing free public internet is a game-changer for some, there are a few security drawbacks.
By willingly connecting to a public network, your employees risk running into cyberhackers on the same network. Hackers often attempt to steal data, so using a virtual private network (VPN) for remote work while traveling is essential to protect your online identity. A VPN encrypts your data and filters to conceal data on a network. It also allows users to access content from different states or regions while browsing safely.
2. Secure your passwords
When traveling for the holidays, having access to every work account and application is vital. Writing down passwords in a physical notebook or a personal device is risky, especially if these items get lost. If your employees are traveling with confidential work passwords, implementing a password manager would be a great alternative. Dashlane is a great password manager for businesses that minimizes the possibility of password theft and can be easily implemented.
If your employees are traveling for the holidays and aren’t already using a password manager, implementing one will give you and your employees peace of mind knowing that your passwords are secure.
3. Collaborate through the cloud
Businesses that have migrated to the cloud have more flexibility in file sharing, data storage, and data backups. Whether your employees are working in the office or doing remote work while traveling, using cloud applications will make their lives easier. With cloud computing, your employees connect to cloud applications via the network and can see the same files and databases in real-time as someone working in the office.
Clouds are more secure than physical databases because there’s not centralized location for hackers to attack. Also, the data sent across the cloud is generally encrypted, so anyone wanting access will need a key. Our cloud computing guide for small businesses covers the different types of cloud computing and popular options for cloud applications, so you can gain more insight into migrating to the cloud.
4. Train your end users
It’s no secret that human error accounts for most data breaches in small businesses. Often, the reason why these mistakes are made is because of a lack of training. By training all end users on cyber security awareness, employees who work from home or in-office can actively avoid risking your business’s data.
For example, phishing is the most common cyberattack, and it’s no stranger to flooding your employees’ inboxes. These pesky scams are sent by cyber hackers who target anyone in your organization. They aim to persuade end users to reveal sensitive personal or work information. By training your employees or enrolling them in phishing simulation training, all end users will have the knowledge and expertise to maximize your business cyber security strategy.
Safe travels and secure work
Business owners must consider all aspects of implementing a Work From Home policy to ensure their cyber security readiness and employee privacy. Whether your employees are doing remote work while traveling for the holidays or working from home, standardizing a cyber security strategy for WFH policies will strengthen your business. The list of strategies you can implement for your business goes on, but this is a great place to start as we’re nearing the holiday season. Learn how to create a comprehensive business cyber security plan to combat cyber hackers and protect your business.
