Does your business rely on remote employees?

Have some (or many) of your staff been working from home in light of COVID-19?  If so, your business could be facing unique and complicated cybersecurity risks.

Why? Because home environments usually don’t have the same security safeguards as offices do, and it only takes one vulnerable network to create big risks for businesses.  Still, there are steps companies can take to protect their data, systems, and networks.

Top 5 Cyber Security Tips for Remote Workers

Whether staff are working remote temporarily or indefinitely, these cybersecurity best practices (below) can help:

  • Minimize the risk of data breaches
  • Keep your remote employees, networks, and data secure
  • Maximize system uptime to promote productivity and minimize IT setbacks

1. Don’t connect to public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi can come with all sorts of risks. So, encourage staff to connect to the internet via personal hot spots, not public Wi-Fi. While many smartphones can work as hot spots, employees can also get dedicated devices to serve as hot spots where and whenever they need them.

2. Keep work files & emails on work equipment. Personal phones, computers, and networks can be less secure than office ones, again opening companies up to cyberattacks.

As tempted as staff may be to use personal phones or computers to check and send work emails, discourage this practice. Emphasize the importance of keeping work files and interactions on work systems. The company’s systems are far more likely to have the updates, high-end security software, and other features necessary to optimizing cybersecurity.

3. Strengthen passwords & VPN security.

Encourage staff to update their passwords and, if needed, make them stronger. Also, update the virtual private network (VPN) to require multi-factor authentication. These simple steps can go a long way towards keeping company systems and networks secure.

4. Go over phishing & scams.

Send out educational materials and/or conduct training to educate staff on signs of phishing and how to avoid email and online scams. Some key tips include NOT:

  • Opening emails from unrecognized persons
  • Clicking links or downloading materials from strange emails
  • Purchasing gift cards for anyone claiming to be a colleague

5. Work with an experienced Denver IT provider & cybersecurity consultant.

Ultimately, it can be hard to know exactly where your company’s remote IT operations are open to risks or falling short. With the help of an experienced Denver cybersecurity consultant, however, companies can minimize the risks—and get the reliable, secure IT systems they need no matter where their staff are working.

Call (303) 682-6964 or email us for 5-star IT and cybersecurity consulting services in the Denver metro area.

The team at IT1 Services provides comprehensive IT services and cybersecurity solutions for all types of small businesses. As a one-stop shop for small business technology needs, IT1 Services is proud to offer custom plans, exceptional IT support, and competitive prices. We’re also proud to be highly responsive whenever there is a crisis, taking immediate action to find the right resolutions and get our clients through it!