The modern distributed workforce, wherein a business can operate entirely outside of the traditional office environment paradigm, has been completely enabled by networked technology. Cloud hosting models in particular allow real-time communication and collaboration activities nowhere near feasible in the past. Individuals may work within the same databases and access the same files in any time zone concurrently as long as they have access to the Internet and their company’s systems.
Therein lies a major problem, however, in that whoever can gain the level of access remote employees have can also manipulate that data as well. Wireless connections and cloud applications are themselves readily available to hackers as attack vectors for penetrating organizational networks. Personnel with remote access to your business’s systems provide an open channel to infiltrate through their login information.
Wireless Traps
Public Wi-Fi networks are easily spoofed and many users may not think twice about signing into one when on the go. Many open-source programs used by employees may be similarly fraudulent and can infect company files with malware. Cloud software applications utilized by remote employees to interact with each other and business databases present a vulnerable landline for external aggressors to exploit.
The digital era has brought a wide array of open wireless communication that connects parties across the globe with each other, sometimes whether they want to be connected or not. The same technology that enables organizations to exist without a single physical space allows potentially unlimited entry points for outside actors. Yet these tools are an integral part of business in the 21st century and provide more value than the possible risks.
The Problem is People
Enforcing network security across the board is simply the cost of doing business in the modern world, and ensuring remote employees are secure means extending the same cybersecurity standards to all off-site personnel. Human error is the key factor in all security guidelines and you must deliver the right type of education and information for your remote employees to maintain best practices among them.
Educate Your Remote Employees on Offsite Cybersecurity
Establishing a training program is great first step to protecting your remote employees and your network. Sign up for SWK’s Phishing Defender solution to access our educational resources and instructional courses to prepare your offsite personnel for cyber attack.
