There are so many doors that remote work has unexpectedly opened. Doors for the global workforce to collaborate, connect, and solve problems beyond borders and cultural differences. Doors for innovation to position businesses at the forefront of the market. Doors for a healthier work-life balance.
But while good-intentioned, there are also those who have taken advantage of the situation and forcefully opened doors for malicious intentions: to steal company data, to exploit businesses and individuals.
And this is exactly what teams around the world are dealing with, especially those using cloud-based software. With 45% of data breaches happening within cloud environments, teams are now putting more emphasis on cybersecurity, particularly on remote access. Hence, there is a need for stricter cybersecurity protocols, such as the use of VPN.
The Risks that Come with Remote Work
With no commute to deal with and fewer distractions to attend to, remote work has significantly increased productivity among employees by 5% to 40%. Substantially, companies implementing hybrid models have also seen a fivefold growth in the number of employees opting to work one day a week outside of the office.
And while we can go on enumerating the numerous benefits of remote work, it is also important to acknowledge the issues surrounding this work model, particularly on data security.
Concerns about the safety of sensitive company data have been persistently expressed with urgency, given how sophisticated cyberattacks are now. Data from VPNOverview.com has shown how leading companies across industries, from accounting to beauty care to gaming and e-commerce platforms, have fallen victim to advanced phishing scams and social engineering schemes, exposing critical information stored on the cloud.
Other incidents that have echoed the same apprehensions highlighted the following risks that come with remote work:
- Vulnerability of home networks. Contrary to the centralized company systems, home networks lack advanced security measures. Such deficiency is what cybercriminals capitalize on allowing them to exploit weak passwords and access outdated security systems.
- Public Wi-Fi interception. A strong and stable internet connection is often the requirement for remote work. Not much attention is given to how secure the connection is. By connecting to public Wi-Fis, company data might be put at risk, as these do not have strong encryption, making it prone to interception by cybercriminals.
- Lack of security among personal devices. While there are companies that require employees to only use devices provided by the company, in most remote teams, members use personal devices for work. Without company-grade security, the use of personal devices for remote work has accounted for 50% of phishing attacks, malware exposure, and data breaches.
- Weak security management. With no office-based IT infrastructure ensuring multilayered security protocols, such as having strong MFAs, the use of VPNs and firewalls, and regular patch updates, attackers can easily hijack accounts and gain unauthorized access to cloud systems.
In short, remote work has become an entry point, an ideal ground, for cybercriminals. And if no strong security systems are implemented, it’s just a matter of time before hackers get access to cloud storage, infect malware, and disrupt company operations.
The Benefits of VPN for Remote Work
To protect employees and companies, especially remote teams using cloud-based software, many have adopted the use of VPN to further strengthen cybersecurity infrastructures. VPN is intended to:
- Create a secure and encrypted connection between the remote team member’s device and a VPN server.
- Act as a shield to protect team activities on the cloud, such as file storage, data management, communications, product development, and workflow automation.
- Allow seamless access to team files and company data without the fear of being intercepted by cybercriminals.
- Bypass geographical restrictions and censorship, further enhancing collaboration and eliminating the interruptions among teams that are composed of members coming from different parts of the world.
- Hide IP address and allow private internet browsing, removing surveillance systems from tracking online activities.
- Support cybersecurity measures by protecting the company from threats and unauthorized access.
This ensures remote teams with two things: privacy and security. With VPN’s features, teams using cloud-based software can confidently connect to the internet, complete tasks assigned, and streamline business operations.
In addition, the best VPNs also come with no logs policy and are guaranteed to perform really well at top speed. Such a worthy investment that many companies tend to overlook. In the comprehensive analysis made by experts, compared to the potential losses companies may experience from data breaches and compliance fines, investing in VPN is a manageable cost.
Ways to Strengthen Cybersecurity Infrastructure in this Digital Age
But there’s also a limit to what VPNs can do. That’s why, on top of this measure, there is also a need to make sure that every potential entry point for cybercriminals to infiltrate is securely and heavily guarded. To add an extra layer of protection, companies should:
- Implement MFAs across all applications and devices
- Ensure regular software updates and automate patching schedules
- Activate firewalls and other security features of devices used
- Establish clear course of action to mitigate risks
- Conduct regular training for all employees (working remotely or not)
And since most teams are now working around cloud environments, it is also crucial to choose platforms with end-to-end encryption and have proven cybersecurity records. Do not just choose software because it’s trending or it promises protection coverage at such a low price. Always read reviews and clarify ambiguities before subscribing.
In an age constantly threatened by cybercriminals, nothing is more important than making sure that all doors, all entry points, are secured and protected. The question is: how are your cybersecurity measures so far?
Note: This is an Opinion piece and Tea4Tech and its editorial team neither endorse nor take responsibility for the accuracy or authenticity of the information presented.
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