NetworkTigers on how to ensure a secure remote work setup during the holidays.
According to AAA, around 80 million people travel domestically in the US during the holidays. Many of those holiday travelers are employees who take advantage of flexible work policies to work remotely. Making cybersecurity a priority during the holiday season can ensure that remote work remains a sustainable and safe option for your company.
Remote work setup and the holiday season
Approximately 54% of workers report feeling distracted by the holiday season. Many cite worries about holiday travel, missing days off with family due to delays, and deadline constraints as top concerns in workplace culture. Working remotely can alleviate stress on employees by allowing them to travel on off-peak days, saving time and money on less expensive airfare. It can also help make commuting safer, as slippery roads and shorter daylight hours make holiday travel especially dangerous. Finally, it allows companies to respect diverse holidays and accommodate employees with non-traditional family structures.
However, every remote work setup comes with an increased cybersecurity risk. Many employees use unsecured networks to log into company systems, pair unauthorized devices like headphones and tablets with company laptops, and generally lower their guard for phishing scams during the holidays. Preparing for productive remote work can help companies stay safe from intrusions while ensuring business continuity.
Finding productive solutions for remote work over the holidays
Set up a VPN and make using it mandatory
From logging in via airport WiFi to check emails to connecting through home routers and coffee shops, remote work can be a cybersecurity professional’s worst nightmare. Setting up a reliable VPN ahead of time and making it mandatory for employees, however, can help control the flow of access into your company’s network. Ensure that VPN software is up to date before remote access starts, and remind employees that if they absolutely must use public WiFi, using the VPN can help make them safer. You may also be able to implement multi-factor authentication for your VPN, strengthening the layer of protection it provides.
Prioritize Mobile Device Management (MDM)
Many remote employees rely more on phones and tablets to respond to company demands. Because of this, MDM should become a priority when safeguarding remote work over the holidays. Ensure company devices are encrypted and have the latest malware protection. Ideally, company devices will also be set up with remote wipe capability in case of a large-scale hack over the holidays or when an employee cannot bring their device to the IT department in person.
Schedule a cybersecurity seminar
Before the holiday period begins in earnest, schedule a check-in with all your employees about common phishing techniques, ransomware efforts, social engineering hacks, and more. You may also want to set up a drill or a simulated phishing attack before the holidays begin to prepare them. Offer employees a list of reputable password managers to use while away from their desks. Quiz employees about how to recognize suspicious messages and make sure that it is clear how to report them internally. Reward employees who do so and encourage an open dialogue about cybersecurity mistakes to reduce response downtime should there be an intrusion. Providing easy access to security resources can help keep cybersecurity at the top of employees’ minds while traveling and ensure that if there is an issue, response time will be as quick as possible.
Beef up email security
Company emails are still the number one source of phishing attacks. Double-check spam filters before you send employees off for remote work. Consider implementing a stricter attachment policy to prevent ransomware or malware from being downloaded. If necessary, consult with an outside cybersecurity firm to encrypt emails involving the exchange of sensitive information.
Lead by example
Employees take cybersecurity measures as seriously as management does. If your company leaders work remotely during the holidays, ensure they lead by example by logging in from secure networks, reporting phishing attacks, and changing passwords often.
Schedule software updates
Don’t leave system updates until everyone has left the office. Enabling automatic updates can help ensure that remote work during the holidays is just as secure as system security is year-round. You can also consider performing a vulnerability scan in advance to catch possible issues and implement patches.
Scan for intrusions
Monitor your remote access network and cloud storage logs to ensure only verified users have access. Report suspicious activity as soon as you see it, and know where employees are traveling to monitor log-in locations.
Prepare an incident response plan
No one wants to spend their holidays responding to a ransomware hack or cyber attack. Furthermore, key players might be offline or unavailable if the incident occurs over the holidays. Having an incident response plan before something happens is the most important step to ensure a smooth and secure remote work set up during the holidays. Know who will respond as well as who will provide coverage while they are traveling or otherwise offline. Consider staggering travel schedules, offering flexible work hours, or allowing some IT cross-training to ensure that someone will always be at the switch should there be a cyber incident during the holiday season.
About NetworkTigers
NetworkTigers is the leader in the secondary market for Grade A, seller-refurbished networking equipment. Founded in January 1996 as Andover Consulting Group, which built and re-architected data centers for Fortune 500 firms, NetworkTigers provides consulting and network equipment to global governmental agencies, Fortune 2000, and healthcare companies. www.networktigers.com.
All articles sponsored by NetworkTigers.
