Blog

Best Practices for Remote Workers to Protect Their Data

Because of the effects of the global pandemic, thousands of companies have been forced to change their paradigm and bring business online. Most of these companies have become set in their ways, especially since things have never changed this drastically before. In a post-pandemic world, most businesses’ primary focus has become how to limit the virus’ spread that they have lost track of other aspects of their operations.

One aspect that is frequently neglected is cybersecurity. Many cybercriminals thrive and make a living by hacking online businesses, stealing money and information in the process. Knowing that there are shady characters out there willing to take advantage of gaps in cybersecurity, it pays to put security measures in place to protect sensitive data, especially if your team is working remotely.

Best Practices for Remote Workers to Protect Their Data

Part of the adjustment that companies need to make as they transition from office-based work to the work-from-home setting is to establish strong protection guidelines for sensitive data. Here are a few tips to remember when you are setting up your data privacy and security standards for remote work.

1) Create Specific Remote Work Data Management Standards

Companies that are initially transitioning from office-based work to an online work set-up should set certain standards for their employees and how online work should be handled. It should not be as simple as bringing their work files home with them and accessing these sensitive data and files on their home computer networks. If the company fails to set up secure data management standards, the data may be left vulnerable to the prying eyes of unauthorized individuals.

Secure passwords need to be set up, along with two-factor authentication techniques and the prevention of using personal devices to access work-related data. These are all effective ways to prevent any data breaches for remote workers. 

2) Prepare Workers for Phishing Scams and Other Fraud Tactics

One prevalent problem when it comes to data security is fraud. Hackers may use phishing scams and other fraudulent emails to trick even the most tenured of work-from-home workers. This is why it is important to educate workers about phishing scams, what these fraudulent emails look like, and how they are meant to work. Educating workers about these scams will help them be prepared to discern which emails come from legitimate sources or not, and it will help them avoid data breaches.

3) Monitor Remote Activity

Monitoring the online activity of remote workers (while they are clocked in) is an effective way to ensure that no data is being leaked out, whether willfully or by accident. Having remote workers download screen share applications and VPNs will enable supervisors and managers to monitor the work being done by employees. 

Conclusion

Keeping business secrets private will be the key to how businesses will successfully adapt to the new normal. It may seem like a challenge at first, but once all the members of teams across the company have gotten used to these safety protocols, your data will be properly protected. Cybercriminals will not be able to easily infiltrate your data. Investing in additional safety features, such as VPNs, for your company’s safety protocols will also do wonders for your remote workers’ online security. 

To better achieve your goal of keeping your company safe from cybercrime, consider Radio IP Software. We specialize in delivering innovative mobile virtual private networks (also known as Mobile VPNs or MVPNs) and mobile security solutions to small and large enterprises, as well as military, public safety, utilities, transportation and government agencies. If you are looking for mobile VPN solutions for your remote workers, contact us and allow us to set your company up with one.