Over the past year, more businesses have transitioned from traditional workplaces to a hybrid work environment to adapt to recent events. Remote work has become the new normal, and it looks like these home-work environments are here to stay.
However, cybercriminals are quick to exploit this new, relatively unsecured work environment. If you’re not convinced of the looming threats to cybersecurity, you only need to read the news. Recently, a type of cryptocurrency in Japan lost $90 million in a cyberattack. The Irish Health System (IHS) experienced a ransomware attack rendering 95% of their system useless.
The news can go on, but all point to one fact: cybercrimes are on the rise. And they’re not only after the big fish. They are also targeting the more vulnerable home working environments.
With the paradigm shift in the way employees work and the looming cybersecurity threat, companies need to ensure that their hybrid work environment is secure. Here are some suggestions on how to protect your business’s virtual offices:
1. Keep your employees’ security training up-to-date
Over the past year, the number of people who do remote work rose, and with it, cyberattacks have increased as well. Phishing has increased 600% since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, which demanded people to work from home. This is just one of the many statistics to show the importance of security training, especially for those working from home. Learning to distinguish threats and developing good security habits go a long way to ensure a safe working environment.
2. Set up a cloud system
A secure cloud system ensures your employees can still collaborate, share files and templates, share productivity software, and more. This way, everybody on the team can access what they need to work on anywhere they are. There are many types of cloud systems to choose from, and your managed service provider is able to give you the best advice in terms of what your specific needs are.
3. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Installing a VPN can add a layer of protection to your employees’ network while working from home. A VPN encrypts internet traffic and hides your IP and physical location, making it harder for any cyber attack to happen.
4. Expect and plan for problems
Sometimes, things don’t go as you want, no matter how much you plan for them. You want to have a solid IT team with a secure cybersecurity plan that will monitor your network and respond should any cyber attack happen.
5. Provide equipment to your employees
Providing a company laptop, mobile phone, tablet, or any other device needed for the job to your employees is more secure compared to having your employees use their own. However, if this is not possible, make sure that they receive proper cybersecurity training.
6. Invest in a reliable MSP
The priority is creating a robust cybersecurity protocol for your company, especially if employees work from home. To do this, your company can hire an in-house IT team to manage all the services and create a cybersecurity plan, or you can go with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) at a fraction of the cost. MSP’s like Innovative Network Solutions have a team of cybersecurity experts who are ready to provide your company tailored cybersecurity services to your business.Hybrid work environments and a good cybersecurity protocol go hand in hand. Make sure your network is protected. Call us for a free consultation.