Protecting company data is paramount when remote working and ensuring that cybersecurity best practices are being followed is vital for any organization. In the current climate with more people working from home, it is necessary to have a series of guidelines, checklists, and preventative measures for employees to follow. In this article, we will explore the essential remote data security checklists for employers and employees.
Introduction
The global pandemic and COVID-19 have forced many companies into remote working, but the trend was already moving in this direction. Working from home has become the new normal for many employees, and as a result, security vulnerabilities have increased. Despite the convenience of having employees work remotely, the downside is that their mobile devices and local wifi networks may not be as secure as the trusted networks found in the central office.
Moreover, working remotely poses new challenges as there can be a lack of visibility and control over work-related activities. Cybercriminals have also taken advantage of the situation and are actively exploiting the security gaps and lack of knowledge that may exist. Thus, it is vital to adhere to remote data security precautions to aid remote workers in their daily activities.
This article will examine the implications and strategies for managing data security posture in the context of widespread remote work. It will detail the security measures, strategies, and guidelines that organizations and remote workers can adopt to mitigate the risks associated with remote data operations.
Security Checklists for Employers
Small and medium businesses face unique challenges when it comes to securing their networks, devices, and data. Large corporates may have already established guidelines and policies when moving into remote working, but SMEs may not have these in place. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and Breachlock both offer comprehensive checklists for employers, and some of the essential items on their lists are:
- BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy
- Cloud storage and backup
- Remote desktop connection
- Remote applications
- Emails
These checklists, aside from technology-based items, also emphasize general principles. One of which is that employees must have company policies when working remotely, such as guidelines for data security policies and pen-testing (penetration testing). Also, it is crucial to review policies regularly and conduct cybersecurity training programs for effective employee education.
Employers’ responsibility for cybersecurity is extremely high, and a checklist of essential measures should be available. Ensuring each element is covered will contribute towards creating a secure remote working environment.##Security Checklist for Employees
Remote workers must also adopt best practices to stay secure while working from home. Fortunately, adopting cybersecurity best practices in remote work doesn’t have to be complicated. Here is a checklist for remote employees to follow:
- Data Security Policies: Follow company data security policies to keep data confidentiality and integrity in remote working environments.
- Phishing Awareness: Be cautious of suspicious links and emails. Verify authenticity before clicking on any links or downloading attachments.
- Approved Devices: Use only company-approved devices for work purposes.
- Sharing and Securing Company Devices: Ensure that any company devices are kept secure and only used for official purposes.
- Work Email Accounts: Use company email accounts to correspond with clients and colleagues.
- Protect Networks: Use a secure wifi network. Change usernames and passwords when connecting to remote locations or public wifi networks.
- Regular Review of Data Privacy Policies: Review data privacy policies and keep them updated regularly.
- Conduct Cybersecurity Training Programs: Conduct training to educate employees on cyber threats and how to deal with them.
Remote workers must also adopt best practices for mobile devices, including:
- Secure Usage: Keep devices in a safe and secure place when not in use.
- Encryption: Encrypt all sensitive information stored on devices.
- Automatic Locking: Configure devices to lock automatically after a set period.
- Automatic Updates: Allow the automatic installation of updates and operating system upgrades.
- Location Tracking: Utilize location tracking features to retrieve lost or stolen devices.
- Remote Wipe: Utilize remote wipe capabilities to prevent unauthorized access in case of loss or theft.
- VPN for Network Protection: Connect to the company VPN to receive network protection while using public or untrusted networks.
Checklist for Individual Remote Employees
Individual remote employees should also follow the minimum security measures to safeguard their personal and company data. Here are some of the items they need to include in their remote data security checklist:
- Secure Web Hosting: Use secure web hosting and enable Https for websites that collect personal and sensitive information.
- Passwords: Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication for all accounts.
- Password Manager: Use a password manager to secure passwords and other credentials.
- Remote Connection: Use a secure remote connection such as a VPN to connect to the company network.
- Company Devices: Use company devices to conduct work activities.
- Technical and Organizational Measures: Follow technical and organizational measures for data protection and information security.
- Incident Response: Follow an incident response plan in case of a security breach.
- Regular Training: Attend regular training and stay updated with the latest security measures and technology.
Technical and Organizational Security Measures
In addition to the above checklists, technical and organizational measures play a crucial role in data protection and information security. The following are some of the technical and organizational measures that should be implemented to secure remote work operations:
- Use of Company-approved Devices: Employees should use company-approved devices for all work-related activities.
- Securing Data: Encryption should be used for all sensitive data.
- Regular Data Protection and Security Training: Employees should receive regular data protection and security training.
- Use of Data Center: Companies should use a secure data center to store sensitive and confidential information.
Companies should also have an incident response plan in place in case of a security breach. The incident response plan outlines how the company will deal with the breach, what steps it will take to minimize damage, and how it will notify affected parties.
Conclusion
In conclusion, remote data security checklists provide guidance to remote workers and their employers for maintaining data safety during remote work. By understanding and implementing the measures and best practices suggested in these checklists, businesses can achieve secure and successful remote work operations. Remote working is no longer just a trend, with many companies realizing the value of flexible working arrangements. With guidelines, checklists, and best practices in place, companies can ensure that remote working is productive and secure for their employees and clients.