The pandemic has led 85% of companies worldwide to work remotely. While this has proved to be a good way to keep businesses running, the threat to cybersecurity has also increased. An increase in phishing and hacking has led to business owners and employees vulnerable to cyberattacks. Luckily, there are some very easy ways to increase the website security of your business while working remotely.

Types of Risks Faced by Working Remotely

When employees work using different networks, they access the company’s data from locations where the employer loses security control. The risk increases when the employee uses a personal device or computer to login to the company’s network. Other types of security risks include:

1. Network Risks: Employees working remotely use a mix of networks that may or may not be wired. They can be private or public networks, which creates various entry points for hackers. Companies cannot secure every network that an employee uses while working remotely.
2. Physical Device Security: Any device that is being used remotely can pose a real threat to company security if lost. Whether the device belongs to the employee or the company, it can cause real risks to privacy. A device can be lost while the employee is working anywhere other than the physical office.
3. Mixing Business and Personal Use: When an employee uses a personal device to work for the company remotely, it opens doors for cybercriminals to access company data through the apps on the employee’s device.
4. Defrauds Targeted at Remote Workers: It is easier to design frauds for individual workers, as they cannot easily verify with their fellow employees. The chances of bypassing additional cybersecurity practices are higher when an employee works alone.

There is a new range of security threats that companies face when their employees work remotely. As companies gear up to expand their remote working, tighter measures should be made to secure business cybersecurity as well. Some websites are designed for maximum security and using affordable website design services can also help protect against cyber threats.

Tips to Improve Business Cybersecurity

While companies cannot mitigate the risks completely, they can take several steps to reduce them significantly.

Issuing Company Controlled Devices

One step you can take is to issue every employee a company controlled computer and mobile phone. While the switch can a few weeks, it is absolutely worth it. Make sure that every employee is advised and trained to use these company-issued devices for work only. Any personal activity should not be done on these devices as it can open doors for cybercriminals.

If you feel like you need to take an immediate step for securing your company data, ask your employees to use a mobile device management to interact with company data. This service should be provided by the company as it puts some degree of control. The company can remotely wipe the data on the devices in case there a threat of a breach.

VPN Provisioning

Adding a VPN to your network can remove many of these risks from your company’s network. It securely tunnels all your company’s data traffic under an encrypted layer. Since using a VPN service is not an expensive option, it can done immediately. However, choosing the right VPN provider is important, so take your time with that.

Keep Your Focus on Endpoint Security

Securing the devices in use by remote workers is still an important thing to do. Using endpoint protection software like anti-virus is an important first step. Many variations also alert device owners against phishing attempts. Updating software and devices regularly also protects the company and employee data.

MFA and Passwords

Using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication has become very important everywhere. Make sure that your employees are aware of its importance and make it a practice to use both. Strong passwords, that must not be shared with anyone else is essential. MFAs make it a hurdle for hackers to access data.

There is no other option for businesses to work other than working remotely. Securing your business website is now a fundamental step to stay afloat in such uncertain times. While working remotely, the company must consider every device as an infrastructure of the company. No matter where the employee is accessing the company data and networks from, the same security protocols must be taken as are taken within an office building. Moreover, employee training is also an essential part of cybersecurity whereby the employees are aware of possible security threats and immediate actions they can take to secure the company.