Many organizations allow employees to carry some work home as the strategy increases productivity and provides more flexible schedules, among other advantages. However, working remotely introduces some cyber risks that threaten the organization’s cybersecurity posture. It is, therefore, necessary for every organization to be familiar with the different types of risks associated with remote working approaches before implementing such a move to reap its numerous benefits.

Home Setups are Often Insecure

In most cases, a home setup that features a network connection and devices used to access confidential corporate data may have insufficient security. For instance, it may lack a defense-in-depth approach such as the use of VPNs, antivirus solutions, firewalls, and intrusion prevention systems which are certainly used to secure an organization. Rarely will an enterprise enforce such security measures to protect important data and provide basic security in residential environments where employees might be working remotely. In effect, there is an increased possibility of a breach occurrence or compromise of authentications needed to access the company’s systems from home.

Employees tend to use several devices.

Employees frequently use more than one device when working from home to access important information or other work-related reasons. This complicates the implemented efforts for protecting data as every device used is a potential entry for system threats. For instance, the employee’s laptop may have sufficient security controls, but using an insecure smartphone may enable cybercriminals to compromise the organization’s cybersecurity posture. Users must observe predetermined security policies governing the use of personal devices to handle work-related tasks. If the policies are non-existent, an organization should create employee awareness to help them ensure that every device has some form of protection, including basic security measures like password mechanisms.  

Remote Working Leads to Increased Data-Sharing through the Internet

As compared to an office environment where employees use secured communication infrastructure and intranets to communicate and exchange information, work from home interactions are increasingly dependent on Internet connectivity. This is a huge risk since public Internets are insecure and often full of malicious actors. The connection used may contain several flaws that can be compromised to allow a cybercriminal to intercept every piece of data transmitted through the wide-area network. This calls for a more secure approach for communicating important information, and it may comprise using secured applications for file sharing, sending and receiving emails, or using secure VPNs.

Logistical Challenges Hamper IT Support

Like employees working on-site, remote workers often require the IT department’s support, specifically due to diverse security issues. Distance and logistical challenges may prevent the IT department from efficiently providing the required assistance. For example, if the internet connection is breached or during a cyberattack aimed at data theft, the IT support may not be able to prevent the attack remotely, and this challenge can lead to incidents with devastating consequences.

Tips to Enhance Cybersecurity for Work from Home

• Create a policy that requires remote workers to use company-issued devices
• In case employees are permitted to use their personal devices, ensure that the hardware is equipped with efficient security controls.
• Reduce the internet cyber risks through VPN use
• Train employee on basic security practices – protecting their devices, using complex passwords that should be changed regularly
• Develop and implement a disaster recovery and business continuity plan that will guide recovery efforts in case of a data breach on a remote workstation
• Purchase cybersecurity liability insurance to help in recovery in case of an incident

We cannot live without technology, it has changed the way we live and do things. We will agree with me that life without technology will be a very difficult one since we have gotten used to technology helping us to live a good life. Your workplace relies on technology, from communication, sending files, meetings, financial transactions and even transportation.  Technology is in control of what we do, how we do it and every day, we are discovering new ways of doing things using technology. However, as we rely of technology, we need to ask ourselves important questions, are we totally secure? This is because, hackers and intruders are all over, come up with ways to hack the systems and technology that we are using and take advantage of it. Communication systems can be compromised and this can cause a great damage to organization.

Just to give an example, Telecoms giants, Talk Talk, had their systems hacked in 2015 and over £400,000 fine was imposed on them due to not having strong security for their system. Similar case was witnessed in Three Mobile where hackers exposed more than 200,000 people’s information. Cyber-attacks damages businesses and takes down big institutions, making them incur great losses.

From those cases, what do we learn? Cybersecurity is important for any firm or organization that needs to be protected from intruders.  We need to think of cyber security even before as we plan to setup systems, networks and even as we add components to our organizations. It is absolutely crucial we use the right system to help us deter any security breach from taking place. There are many reasons to this and we will have guarded ourselves from many dangers that we are exposed to when we do not have working cyber security.

Use of cybersecurity system

We have systems that are able to detect any cyber threat. These systems are able to protect the systems from threats and anything happening to organizations. They are able to do checks on organizations systems, networks and components to know if there are any vulnerabilities or loopholes that hackers can use to access organizations system or information. The use of centralized system will be of great help because it helps in controlling every organizations component at ease. In addition, we can put firewalls to help keep intruders away and strong antiviruses that have advanced capabilities.

Need for hiring a cybersecurity professional

For any organization to be secure from cyber threats, there are need to hire cybersecurity professional to allow organization to remain ahead of any threat. There are threats and attacks that need a professional person to handle them. Not everyone can deal with sophisticated threat and attacks that can bring systems down and render them useless, unless a professional cybersecurity person deals with it. With increase in sophisticated innovation of technology, which brings a greater demand of sophisticated skills, therefore, just waiting for an attack is not wise at all, there need to prepare ourselves with people who can deal with such threats and attacks.

Familiarizing with current cyber security threats

Most threats in cybersecurity have a way to counter them or even avoid them. Most common cyber security attacks are send through emails, maybe a malware inform of an attachment. They are also found in websites inform of links.  We need to constantly be informed of current risk that can harm us. There are recent implementations like GDPR that helps to gather information regarding any threats, breaches. Therefore, getting informed of how to deal with this threat can help because one can avoid any activity that might make him or her vulnerable.

We need to be alert every time, because many of attacks are from who we know or what we do daily. Cyber security is something that we cannot protect ourselves from, but we can always have ways on how to deal with it.

Often, many people think that cybercrime is just about hackers out there who want to steal their financial information. This is not the case; cybercrime entails a lot and includes even terrorism. There are so many concerns apart from financial threats. It’s so unfortunate that cybercrime is continually evolving day by day and new and more complicated cases arise yearly.

The truth is that there are some things you can do to protect yourself against the attackers or hackers but the reality is that there is no way we can completely keep ourselves safe. Before you treat a disease you must first begin by diagnosing its cause and then try to prevent it. In a similar way, it is good to know the risk factors that can make you vulnerable and try to find protective ways to keep yourself safe from such attacks.

These tips are for anyone who is using a smartphone, a computer or any mobile device because they are all vulnerable to cyber-threats. When you use a computer or mobile device there are some personal data that you’ll be storing in these devices either knowingly or unknowingly. These data are vulnerable and can be stolen by hackers through the use of malware. These data will then be used in the wrong way because they will be in the wrong hands. Here is how to keep safe.

1.    Use a strong password

You should create a very strong password for your devices and all the accounts that you’re using. These passwords should also be managed properly. If possible, protect everything with a password. One common mistake that many people make is using the same password for different accounts, avoid this. A strong password should be complex and contain 12-14 characters that combine symbol, a number, lowercase, and uppercase letter. Try as much as you can to change your passwords regularly, preferably after ninety days and enable multi-factor authentication. Contact your service provider if you notice anything unusual.

2.    Protect your device

Remember your attackers are not just online alone, cybercrime can be committed even offline. You need to protect your devices like a computer or operating systems from theft. You should protect your computers by installing lock ports tracking devices and USB security keys. Some cybercriminals hack devices just by compromising the operating system, apps or the entire hardware. It’s therefore very important to update your devices regularly.

3.    Update your device regularly

This tip is very essential for your internet security software and operating systems. Anytime you connect to the internet you automatically become vulnerable, most hackers or cybercriminals take advantage of this to exploit you that’s why you must keep all the apps, operating systems, and all connections up to date. Software and security systems help a lot in limiting vulnerability. Tactics used by cybercriminals are evolving that’s why you need to use the latest software version available.

4.    Browse Safely

Which internet do you use? Can it be trusted? You should completely avoid using public and untrusted Wi-Fi. Using public or untrusted Wi-Fi will give hackers easy access to your device or system and they might get away with your data such as login credentials for your bank accounts or social media profile. Another thing to take into consideration when browsing is to avoid insecure websites without HTTPS, if the ‘S’ is missing then that website could expose you to malware and other vulnerabilities. 

5.    Avoid internet fraudsters

You need to update your antivirus regularly, this is because spam filters and antivirus helps a lot in keeping you safe from online fraudsters though they have limitations. Cybercriminals can attack you through emails and attachments sent in the email, be very careful and avoid opening such phishing emails. Online crimes and attacks are normally engineered by emails that contain virus and ransomware.  Avoid sharing sensitive information via email and don’t click or download attachments from an unknown source.

Conclusion

Cybercrime is evolving and becoming more complex so it is always good to be on the watch to be safe. It would be better if you implement VPNs to all your connections and also retire al your unused services. Sensitize those around you and always be on the guard.