The answer is probably yes. The type of cyber security you used when all your employees were working in an office location is most likely insufficient when you move to a hybrid or remote workforce. Cyber security for remote work needs to be much more robust because the threats are much greater.
Why Is Cyber Security for Remote Work Different?
When all your employees work in an office, you have much more control over cyber security. When you consider cyber security for remote work, that situation changes dramatically. Cyber criminals have been taking advantage of the switch, and increased cyber security for remote work is now a necessity. Here are some of the key reasons why:
1. Remote Work Increases the Number of End Points on Your Network
It’s much easier to protect your network endpoints when all access to your network happens within a business location. With remote work, the number of endpoints increases dramatically, and the job of protecting them gets equally more difficult.
2. There’s More Opportunity for Human Error
Remote workers often use their own computers. They may have third-party apps on those computers that don’t use good cyber security policies. Remote workers may be less focused on cyber security and more likely to do things like click on a link in a phishing email. Those types of emails are often used as an entry point to mount ransomware attacks.
3. Personal Devices Aren’t as Secure
A remote worker using a personal device seldom has the same level of cyber security protection as the devices you provide. One compromised personal device can lead a cyber criminal into your network and leave it vulnerable to any number of cyber attacks.
4. IT Teams Are Overwhelmed
The last year has been a difficult one for most IT teams who scrambled to support remote work. There’s a learning curve that is required for IT teams to understand how to configure permissions and other security settings to be effective in a remote work environment. The likelihood is that IT teams have been more focused on getting applications up and running than putting new security plans in place.
5. The Move to the Cloud Requires New Cloud Management Expertise
Cyber security in the cloud is complex. Your cloud provider will typically ensure the security of their equipment, but you are responsible for securing your data. You need to set and enforce your own security policies that may include a zero-trust strategy, requiring better account security with multi-factor authentication, and more.
Security Solutions From CommQuotes
Today, most businesses need custom solutions to find the right protections, at the lowest cost, with the best outcomes. Our expertise and our extensive number of partner relationships allows us to ensure you have the right cyber security for remote work in a number of areas.
- Advanced Firewall Technology. Firewalls are among your first lines of defense to stop cyber attacks before they start.
- Leading-Edge Anti-Virus Software. You need to stop viruses before they can spread throughout your business. Anti-virus software becomes obsolete quickly, so keeping up to date with the latest software can protect against all types of viruses.
- PKI/Encryption Services. Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and encryption helps to protect your communications between your servers and users. These services provide multi-factor authentication, encrypted emails, and more. They are critical to keeping sensitive data out of the hands of cyber criminals.
- Managed Security Services. Many businesses don’t want to increase their IT staffing to do the type of monitoring and management that’s required to keep their data safe. A managed security services provider can offer the expertise and facilities to perform remote monitoring and management of IT security functions.
- Security Testing. If you’re not sure how strong your cyber security is or you’re afraid there are areas where your security is weak, a security testing provider can run tests to detect your vulnerabilities and areas where your security is weak.
- Security Training. It’s critical to provide your staff with initial and ongoing training and education concerning their role in protecting the business from cyber threats. Human error is a common way that cyber criminals gain access to mount attacks.
Why CommQuotes?
At CommQuotes, we understand the challenge you face in navigating the hybrid workforce and the complexity of establishing cyber security for remote work. The marketplace is full of vendors and there’s a lot of misinformation being distributed. As your advocate, we can work with you to identify the right solutions without the sales hype.
Besides cyber security, you may need assistance as you start or continue your move to the cloud. You may need to move your PBX to the cloud to support remote workers with things such as using Microsoft Teams for voice communications.
Whatever your requirements, we’ll start by understanding your unique situation and then making unbiased recommendations based on our broad industry experience. In fact, we’ll provide white-glove service throughout our relationship – and that includes ensuring you get the support you need along with lifecycle management.
Call us at 888-978-6837 or send an email to improve your competitive advantage with a highly productive and secure remote or hybrid workforce.
