Whether working from home or on the go, remote access is a great way to stay productive. But before you can enjoy the freedom of working remotely, you need to ensure your data and devices are safe. Here are Top Remote Access Security Risks That You Need To Know.
Top Remote Access Security Risks That You Need To Know
Schemes of Phishing
Your remote employees may pose the greatest threat to the security of your network. Employees that inadvertently adopt cyber security poor practices may end up allowing hackers and cyber criminals access to your network and critical data.
Your employees could get perplexed about how to continue working safely when business activities abruptly or temporarily shift to remote work. Phishing tactics are the most common cyber hazard to remote employees.
Phishing schemes involve a person or entity impersonating a legitimate source. They do it via email, to trick a victim into providing personal login credentials or sensitive information. They use it to hack into accounts, steal more sensitive information, commit identity fraud, and other crimes.
Sharing of files
While businesses may consider encrypting data stored on their network, they may not consider encrypting data in transit from one site to another.
Your employees communicate so much sensitive information regularly. It covers from customer account information to files, and your organization cannot afford to leave this information vulnerable to a hacker.
When critical firm information does get intercepted, it can result in identity fraud, ransomware attacks, theft, and other problems.
Wi-Fi in the home
While most firms care about securing their remote employees’ work computers, many fail to consider how the Wi-Fi networks that their employees use at home may jeopardise corporate data security.
For example, many individuals know the importance of updating their smartphone or antivirus software, but updates to home network software did disregard.
Routers that do not update, like other devices such as your smartphone, will not have security flaws addressed. It leads to data breach threats over time. Furthermore, although most businesses have firewalls to monitor network traffic and prohibit harmful activity, many consumers do not have a firewall to protect their home network. While some routers are hybrid router-firewalls, these firewalls are not very safe, potentially exposing remote employees to network security holes.
Personal Electronics
Employees who work remotely do not generally pack up their complete workplace and carry home gear like printers and desk phones. As a result, people may resort to conducting business remotely utilizing personal smartphones and home printers.
While working from personal devices might provide employees with independence and flexibility, they can also offer cyber security issues.
Most individuals don’t think to encrypt their devices, especially regarding data as mundane as voicemails. However, unless the phone is encrypted when work is done on a personal cellphone, such as phone calls and logins to corporate accounts, hackers might obtain this data.