Cybersecurity Challenges in Remote Work – A VPN Perspective

INTERPOL’s assessment of COVID-19’s impact on cybercrime revealed a sharp rise in hackers targeting critical infrastructure, government entities, and large organizations. From January to April 2020 alone, there were 48,000 malicious Uniform Resource Locators (URLs), 907,000 spam messages, and 737 malware incidents related to COVID-19.

These statistics underscore the ongoing need for organizations to consistently train their staff on maintaining security when employees work remotely. You understand that an online job is associated with risks, because a hacker may already be waiting for you in your favorite cafe, or your data may simply be collected by some third party. If you understand the risks of remote work, you will be able to cope with them and we will help you with this task.

Table of Contents

Cybersecurity Challenges in Remote Work

#1 File sharing

When you, as a remote-based worker, send documents and files to your colleagues using file-sharing services, these files are likely encrypted for protection when stored on corporate networks. However, when you share them remotely, the same level of security may not be applicable. This puts your sensitive information at risk of interception or theft by hackers, especially during data transmission. Losing sensitive corporate data can lead to security incidents such as data theft, identity fraud, or ransomware attacks.

#2 Unsecured Connections

When you work remotely, using unsecured connections to access company data poses a significant challenge. Public Wi-Fi networks are insecure, putting the data exchanged between your device and the server at risk. To reduce this vulnerability, make sure all employees utilize VPNs while accessing company data remotely.

#3 Vulnerable Devices

You should be aware that using personal devices without proper management poses a risk to company data. It becomes challenging to track which devices are accessing company information, potentially leading to data breaches. Implement systems to monitor the devices used for accessing company data.

#4 Data Storage

Ensure that you store sensitive data in the company-approved cloud storage or take measures to encrypt it on your personal devices. Remote working can lead to the storage of sensitive data on personal computers, which might lack adequate security measures. In the event of theft or hacking of these devices, a security breach can occur, resulting in the leak of sensitive company data. It is advisable to encourage remote workers to adopt these measures to protect against potential threats.

#5 Compliance Issues

Remote working may present compliance risks for organizations with stringent regulatory requirements. When employees access sensitive data using personal devices, it can be challenging to guarantee full compliance. Implementing strict security measures, such as utilizing VPNs, and restricting access rights to networks, devices, and company data, becomes essential.

Safety Tips for Online Jobs

#1 Switch to Safe Browser

Chrome isn’t bad when it comes to security, but its built-in Google services tend to spy on us all. Often this goes beyond the bounds of decency. Here’s our work-from-home safety tip – install the Brave browser. As for whether the Brave browser is safe or whether it is still relatively vulnerable, there is no need to worry. You can read a detailed analysis of is Brave browser safe at this link. Overall, Brave is a better browser for privacy protection, although it’s not ideal. But the tracking functions are cut out in it and this is a big plus.

#2 Regularly Update your Software

To lower the risk of security breaches, make sure you enable automatic updates on all your devices. These updates usually include security patches that help protect against any zero-day vulnerabilities or weaknesses in the operating system. Restart your devices if needed to complete the patching process.

Consider using cloud computing options like software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions. In this case, the responsibility for security management lies with the service provider rather than with you.

#3 Use A VPN

Frankly, many vulnerabilities can be mitigated or eliminated using a VPN. A good VPN, such as VeePN, can provide secure data exchange, and protection against threats from public Wi-Fi networks, guarantee device security, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. You can even use the Firefox VPN plugin, which will only encrypt the connection within the browser. This is convenient if you want to establish multiple connections in different browsers, as well as a separate channel for applications on a PC or smartphone.

#4 Train for Remote Cybersecurity

To maintain optimal cybersecurity, ensure your employees take necessary precautions when working remotely. When away from the office, they lack the built-in network protections, putting both them and your business at risk. Encourage the following actions:

Check the security and protection of their at-home Wi-Fi.
If unable to find a secure connection, use a VPN.
Avoid using public Wi-Fi, such as those found in coffee shops.
Prohibit family members or other household members from using their company computer.
Implement two-factor authentication for all devices.
Always lock their computers when not in use.
Stay vigilant of nearby individuals who may have access to their screens, particularly in public spaces like coffee shops.

Wrapping Up

The number of threats with the integration of remote work increases significantly. Your employees step outside the secure office bubble and into a world of vulnerability. However, this is not a reason to completely abandon the concept of remote work, but rather a reason to think about taking additional security measures. Conduct awareness training for your employees, integrate VPN, and ensure secure data exchange. This will help you and your employees work from home efficiently and safely.