Security is a major concern in the age of remote work especially after pandemic when hybrid mode came into the operation.
Various businesses, established remote and hybrid working system during the pandemic have started to make them permanent. In this time, where employees are having a bit time flexibility or companies opting for cost savings approaches, one thing must ensured in the form of maintaining proper security. On this national computer security day, it just takes a few careful planning, dedicated tools, strict rules, proper work-from-home (WFH) policy to make an effective and secure virtual workplace. Following are some important steps to achieve this.
When employees are working remotely, security is impacted by their network and the residents of the house. Thus, strict policies must define what is permitted and what is not allowed during or after office hours.
Alongside, security monitoring and managing access play a key role.
Implementing multifactor authentication or MFA is an important strategy. It gives an additional layer of security. So, users will always require identity verification using at least two factors, like a password and a fingerprint. Then only an access will be granted to systems or sensitive information. This technology must be leveraged to ensure a more secure remote workplace.
Layered security combines different technologies like multifactor authentication, zero trust, managed detection and response, security awareness training, DNS filtering, and password-aware email tools focused on defanging business email compromise. These layered security strategy provides enhanced safety in both distributed and on-premises workplaces. Thus, it is known as a shorthand strategy.
Nowadays, online threat can come from multiple ways as they can bypass traditional security measures. Thus, securing the identity perimeter is very important. In fact, it is often believed that identity has emerged as the new endpoint. Organizations must leave their endpoint security playbook and apply the same level of scrutiny to identities. This ensures a zero-trust access posture in remote workplaces.
For more secured remote work environment, companies must leverage zero-trust security model. This emphasizes continuous verification of identities as well as permissions. In addition, incorporating privacy by design principles into data management practices will protect important and sensitive information alongside maintaining user privacy.
Be it office building, cloud or remotely operating employee’s home, regardless of the location of assets, the organization must be capable of tracking. Along with having the assets, the company must be aware of anti-malware, patch management, and so on.
Any company must focus on conducting frequent operational reviews of their virtual environment. Without daily operational reviews and clear action items, IT and InfoSec organizations will operate based on assumptions, not the certainty. That's the reason promotion of zero-trust model is crucial irrespective of workplace.
Employees must use a VPN in workplace as it enhances security by reducing chances of cyberattacks like antivirus software. For this, strict internet usage guidelines must be provided to employees. By implementing this, employee traffic gets encrypted and makes it harder to sustain any cyberattack.
There's no requirement of giving access to all information to everyone. By providing limited access to sensitive information, any kind of malpractice or cyberattacks can be reduced.
Apart from above-mentioned steps, establishing safe web gateways at employee’s house, embracing cloud storage, remote device management, proper back up of data, installing updated configuration are important steps that help securing remote workplaces.
Above all, an important strategy to prpvide secure workplace is to educate employees. Proper knowledge promote a sustainable culture of security within the company, where employees become more responsible for their own as well as company’s assets.
