The Covid-19 pandemic has not only caused anxiety to everyday persons, as worry about personal health and the health of our loved ones cloud our thoughts. But it has also caused increasing headaches for chief information security officers and IT professionals who now have to consider the additional data security threats and cybersecurity risks involved in moving to a remote workforce.
In a physical office, networks are protected by firewalls and other security applications, but remote workers working on personal mobile devices and connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi connections are highly susceptible to data security breaches.
As of November 2020, there are 113.10 million new malware strains poised to take advantage of vulnerable networks and unsuspecting employees. Here are the top 7 tips and best practices to help you stay abreast of potential remote workforce data security threats.
Understanding Remote Work Data Security Risks
Remote work has introduced new data security risks that organizations must be aware of to protect their sensitive data. One of the primary risks is the expanded attack surface that comes with remote work. With more employees working remotely, the number of endpoints and devices that need to be secured increases, making it more challenging for organizations to protect their data.
When employees work from home, they often use personal devices and connect to home networks, which may not have the same level of security as the organization’s internal network. This shift has created new vulnerabilities and opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit. Organizations must be vigilant and proactive in addressing these security risks to ensure that their sensitive data remains protected.
Expanded Attack Surfaces
The expanded attack surface refers to the increased number of devices, networks, and systems that need to be secured when employees work remotely. This includes personal devices, mobile devices, and home networks, which may not have the same level of security as the organization’s internal network. As a result, organizations must implement additional security measures to protect their data from unauthorized access.
Personal devices and mobile devices used for remote work can be particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks if they are not properly secured. Employees may not always follow best practices for device security, such as keeping software up-to-date or using strong passwords. Additionally, home networks may lack the robust security features of corporate networks, making them easier targets for cybercriminals. To mitigate these risks, organizations should provide clear guidelines and support to help employees secure their devices and networks.
Data Security Best Practices:
1. Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication(MFA) is a means of proving identity based on two or more authentication factors. It provides a higher level of security than single-factor authentication (SFA) by requiring an additional factor such as a security code or token in addition to a username and password.
The second factor is sent to a cell phone in the employee’s possession, an email address they have access to, or a physical hardware token. A hacker would need to have access to both factors to “prove” identity. Even if one factor becomes known, the user’s account remains secure.
Two-factor authentication should be enforced wherever a remote employee needs to access sensitive data.
2. Data Usage Monitoring for Sensitive Data
Data usage monitoring is an important part of your cybersecurity strategy. An effective data usage monitoring strategy involves the use of usage monitoring software and a data usage policy. Data usage monitoring software helps you to monitor the way remote employees are using or transferring data and ensures users don’t access websites or apps that could compromise the company’s network. It mitigates against the risk of confidential information being exposed and helps with the investigation of security breaches that do occur.
A comprehensive data usage policy should ensure that employees are aware of the responsibilities that apply to the use of company data. It should clearly state the rules for device and information use and expectations when accessing system data. Employees are less likely to attempt to steal data or use the internet in inappropriate ways when they are aware that they are being monitored.
3. Cloud Storage
Cloud storage is a data management solution that allows a business to save company data in a secure cloud environment and access it at any time from anywhere. Using cloud storage management software, a CIO can manage data security and restrict data access based on authorization levels.
Cloud storage presents its own security challenge because of the potential misuse of personal cloud services like Google Drive and OneDrive which are associated with a user’s personal email account. This can lead to data breaches or vulnerabilities that the company may not be immediately aware of.
As a best practice, your remote data usage policy should stipulate that remote employees store company data and documents only in the company’s cloud storage system rather than on their physical mobile devices or personal cloud storage.
4. Endpoint Security
Cybercriminals see the move to a remote workforce as an opportunity to create new threats to target mobile devices and take advantage of vulnerabilities caused by remote workers to infiltrate company networks.
Endpoint security refers to cybersecurity services that protect end-user devices, including mobile devices, from cyberattacks. Security services may include web and email filtering, antivirus software, and firewall services. Endpoint security is especially important in a “bring your own device” (BYOD) environment where employees have access to company networks using personal mobile devices.
5. Implement Advanced Threat Detection and Response Capabilities
Advanced malware or advanced persistent threats (APT) is malware specifically created with advanced capabilities to infect, control, and infiltrate computer devices. This type of malware is usually engineered for persistent long-term attacks and is capable of evading detection by traditional security solutions such as firewalls, antivirus, or intrusion prevention systems. Ransomware, a form of malware that encrypts files on a device and holds it hostage until a ransom is paid, is one example of an advanced persistent threat.
Advanced threat detection is a set of practices and tools used to detect these types of attacks. Response capabilities include sandboxing, to contain programs and any malware found in separate virtual environments, behavioral analysis using machine learning and artificial intelligence as well as automated monitoring to find and respond to attacks in real-time.
When managing a remote workforce, it is of vital importance to isolate threats and contain infections before they spread to the entire network.
6. Establish Aggressive Vulnerability Management
Aggressive Vulnerability Management is an ongoing process that seeks to continually identify vulnerabilities in operating systems, enterprise applications, browsers, and end-user applications that can be remedied by patching and applying appropriate security settings.
The process involves five phases:
- Discovery: Identifying and organize assets in the company environment
- Assess: accurately access the computing environment to understand the vulnerabilities of all identified assets.
- Prioritize: prioritize identified vulnerabilities based on criticality and threat severity
- Remediate: apply appropriate solutions and implement preventative measures.
- Measure: confirm that threats have been eliminated with continuous analysis and reporting.
7. Establish 24×7 Monitoring
Remote employees aren’t restricted to regular working hours and data security breaches can occur at any time. Around the clock security monitoring is a critical element of an effective cybersecurity strategy. Without a 24/7 monitoring system in place, your network system could be left vulnerable for hours, if a serious security breach occurs.
It is important that all components of your company’s network, including mobile devices, are constantly monitored for threats. 24×7 monitoring ensures that all cybersecurity threats are quickly found, identified, and resolved. Critical network problems are discovered and addressed before they can cause harm.
At Cyber Sainik, we can help you handle your remote workforce data security needs. With our Security as a Service (SECaaS) solutions we can provide the tools and applications you need to secure your company’s data, networks, and endpoint devices. Our cybersecurity experts are ready to work with you to provide remote data security solutions tailored to your company’s needs.
Managing Remote Work Devices and Networks
Managing remote work devices and networks is crucial to preventing data breaches and protecting sensitive information. Organizations must ensure that all devices used for remote work are secure and up-to-date with the latest security patches and software updates.
Regularly updating software and applying security patches can help close vulnerabilities that cybercriminals might exploit. Organizations should also implement security tools such as antivirus software, firewalls, and encryption to protect data on remote devices. Additionally, using virtual private networks (VPNs) can help secure data transmission between remote workers and the organization’s network, reducing the risk of data breaches.
Best Practices for Remote Workers
Remote workers play a critical role in protecting sensitive data and preventing data breaches. Here are several key strategies that remote employees can use to protect their devices and safeguard their data.
First and foremost, remote workers should be aware of the security risks associated with remote work and take proactive steps to mitigate them. This includes following company policies and guidelines for data security, using secure networks, and being cautious about the websites and applications they access. Remote workers should also be vigilant about phishing attacks and other social engineering tactics that cybercriminals use to gain access to sensitive information.
Creating Strong Passwords
Creating strong passwords is essential to preventing unauthorized access to devices and data. Remote workers should use unique and complex passwords for all accounts, including email, cloud storage, and virtual private networks. Passwords should be at least 12 characters long and include a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
Using a password manager can help remote workers generate and store strong passwords securely. Additionally, enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible adds an extra layer of security, making it more difficult for cybercriminals to gain access to accounts even if they manage to obtain a password. Adhering to these recommended practices allows remote employees to greatly minimize the chances of data breaches and contribute to the protection of their company’s confidential information.
