There’s something about catastrophic events that simultaneously bring out the best and worst in people. While many have worked to help those impacted by COVID-19, others have taken advantage of the chaos. As a result, cyberattacks are on the rise. “91% of businesses reported an increase in cyber-attacks with employees working from home, including 93% in Singapore, where 89% and 86% also noted gaps in their business recovery planning and IT operations, respectively, as a result of the global pandemic. 1” Are you ready for a potential threat to your security?
No matter how prepared your business is for an attack, it is best to be overly equipped. Cybersecurity is a constantly shifting target. Business professionals must aim for it daily. Here are some tips on how to better secure your business against cyberattacks.
USE A VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK (VPN)
This may seem like a no-brainer. However, many businesses did not employ a remote workforce prior to COVID-19. The result was moving many people home without any prior experience in the matter. To best secure your employees and your business when working from home is to utilize a VPN.
What is a VPN? “A virtual private network allows you to safely connect to another network over the internet by encrypting the connection from your personal device… A VPN allows remote employees to become an extension of the network as if they’re in the office with the same security and connectivity benefits. Think of it as a secure network line from a user to applications, whether those applications reside in a private data center or on a public network. 3 ”
You can read more about the importance of a VPN from our partner, Palo Alto Networks.
USE TWO-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION
Having multiple ways for users to verify their identities makes it harder for bad actors to penetrate your defense. It also helps eliminate a human error regarding password management. An example of two-factor authentication is SMS messaging. In this example, a user enters a code that’s texted to them after entering their password.
CREATE A TELEWORK POLICY
If your company doesn’t have one yet, consider implementing a telework policy. This will help lay down some ground rules for employees working from home. Your policy should include such items as password management policies, rules about VPN usage, wireless security protocols, and endpoint security rules. It is imperative that the policy also outlines device protocols in employees using their own computer (BYOD – Bring Your own Device) or if only company issued devices can be used.
PERFORM REGULAR PENETRATION TESTING AND AUDITS
Cybersecurity is a constantly shifting target. A system that is up to date today might be missing critical updates tomorrow. Make sure to regularly perform tests on your business’ networks and systems to check for any weak spots. Make sure to always keep your security ready with the latest updates.
Don’t forget to audit logs and system entries to make sure that you’re not missing any bad actors sneaking in under the radar.
Click here to schedule your free remote workforce solution assessment. We’ll discuss what’s working, what isn’t and how we can help fill in the gaps.