Studies have shown that the security of a business can be compromised due to the setup
employees use while working remotely. To avoid any unintentional mistakes, experts advise
taking precautions. According to a Gallup study, around 42% of employees work on a hybrid
schedule, with some days in the office for crucial meetings and supply arrangements and the rest
of the week working from home or other locations.
In the present era, laptops and smartphones have become commonplace for professional
and personal purposes. Yet, there are specific concerns regarding the safety of sensitive company
data, as employees can access it through their personal or work-related devices. Therefore, it is
crucial to acknowledge the potential risks involved in remote work and cybersecurity, and
experts have provided measures for workers and employers to prevent any unfavourable
outcomes.
To maintain a secure and productive remote work environment, refrain from engaging in
any activities that could potentially undermine the integrity of your security measures. For work-
related tasks, it is recommended to refrain from using personal electronic devices. However, if
you have already visited the office twice this week and plan to spend the rest of your time with
your family, it would be wise to bring your work laptop instead of carrying both personal and
work devices. This will enable you to complete your job while accessing software and websites
your company’s IT policies may limit.
A security breach on a personal computer can lead to hackers accessing confidential
business documents and compromising usernames and passwords, posing a risk to company
privacy.
Protect your personal and business information by always keeping your work computer
with you. Be vigilant for potential theft and security breaches to safeguard your data.
Avoid downloading unapproved desktop software, even for work purposes. Scanning and
sending a document to your boss is safer than downloading a PDF scanner application that could
infect your computer with malware.
To ensure your safety, it is recommended that you only download apps that are legitimate
and trustworthy. To avoid downloading harmful malware, contact your IT department and
confirm that your company has approved and licensed the apps you want to download.
Apps like PDF editors, VPNs, and document scanners can boost productivity, but some
need to be more trustworthy. Always verify authenticity before downloading. Be cautious with
technology and prioritize safety and security. Simulated phishing email tests can evaluate
employee security awareness, but additional education and training are needed to prevent
exposure to sensitive information.
To improve corporate security, offer diverse training opportunities for employees.
Conduct periodic phishing tests and share updated guidelines for a safe hybrid work
environment—train staff on security protocols, including basic measures. Be transparent about
employee errors that may compromise the organization’s safety.
Creating a workplace that encourages transparency is crucial. Ensuring employees feel at
ease admitting their mistakes during a breach is essential. This approach can minimize potential
damage since problems tend to worsen when employees try to hide their errors. In addition,
acknowledging and fixing the mistake promptly can help rectify the situation.
For employee data protection, offer VPN services when working remotely. Personal and
professional information can be vulnerable without proper security, especially on public WiFi
networks. Companies should provide a dependable VPN service to ensure online privacy but
carefully evaluate and select a licensed provider to prevent access to employees’ internet usage.
To protect sensitive company information, it is strongly advised to use privacy screens on
work phones or laptops when working in public places. Full disk encryption should also be
implemented in casework devices are lost or stolen.
Furthermore, multi-factor authentication should be enforced to increase security
measures. Avoiding public locations when discussing confidential company information during
meetings is also recommended.
Ultimately, employees and employers must collaborate to safeguard personal and
business information. First, however, it is crucial to acknowledge that employees can only take
responsibility for their company’s cybersecurity practices.
