With remote work (Working from Home) becoming a new normal and businesses looking to test or adopt this policy, it is important that any concerns surrounding risks of working from home are considered. Therefore, we have listed a handful of risks and how to mitigate them making your remote working safe and secure.

What is Remote Working and Why Are There Risks?

Remote working is also commonly known as working from home. Put simply however, remote working is doing your job outside of your office environment. This could be at home, a coffee shop or business centre. The list is truly endless. Most places however use public connections and these pose a risk to your business network and data.

What Can Your Business Do to Ensure Secure Remote Working?

Below are some risks associated with remote working that we have come across. For each risk we have identified, we have also provided a mitigation solution. By following these tips, your business can stay secure whilst working from home.

Cybersecurity Threats- The biggest risk surrounding remote work is cybersecurity threats. This is typically due to using unprotected devices or networks to access work files on. This can be mitigated by using a work device which has the correct antivirus and security measures such as two factor authentication active. Another method used to mitigate these risks is by using a VPN to connect remotely onto the business network. VPNs create a secure and encrypted connection meaning that any data transferred to or from the network is locked away. This greatly increases the security of your data or your customer’s data.

Communication Risks- Another risk associated with remote work is communication failures. It is imperative that your business communication tool such as Microsoft Teams is set up correctly and all members of staff are trained in using the software. This risk can be mitigated by ensuring that prior to allowing members of staff to work remotely, they are proficient in navigating your chosen communications tool and have a reliable and stable network at home. Microsoft Teams has a basic, messaging style format which will be picked up by anyone quickly. It also allows for video and phone calls meaning it is a perfect communication hub.

Outdated Equipment- Although many households have access to a reasonably fast computer or laptop and reliable internet connection, there may still be some who have limited access to the correct equipment. This is a risk to your employee’s remote work due to the possibility of reduced productivity and efficiency if they are facing long load times due to slow hardware. To mitigate this, businesses should gain an understanding on the equipment their employees have and identify any weaknesses in the company. Outdated equipment also carries security risks due to attackers looking for weaknesses in unpatched software on these older computers. Therefore it is vital that hardware is audited.

Securing your Remote Work: Protecting your Business

By adopting the mitigation strategies mentioned above, your business can reduce the risks associated with working from home and ensure your network is kept secure. In 2024 and beyond, it is clear that remote work will continue to grow among different sectors and businesses. By staying inline with the tips suggested in the blog, your business will stay secure in both the short term and long term not only for remote working, but in general.