In 2021, the number of global remote workers is expected to double.
While the pandemic may have accelerated the pace of telecommuting, it was a trajectory that was already picking up steam.
The future of work is hybrid. After experiencing the impact of a static workforce, many companies are opting for a hybrid workforce model that allows for flexibility - and that means IT teams are supporting a whole new workforce again.
What does it mean to power a hybrid workforce and ensure both technology success and a high level of cyber security?
This infographic can help. You'll learn:
- Potential pitfalls that you may not be expecting
- How to achieve high security at a low price
- What you can do right now to foster hybrid support success
The Path to a Successful Hybrid Workforce
1. Protect Business Systems & Data With Multi-Factor Authentication
Business data and processes are now largely located in the cloud. Companies do their accounting, customer relationship management, team communication, and more all in a cloud environment.
How do you keep all that data safe when your accounts are protected by a simple user password?
One of the strongest security layers you can put in place for a hybrid team is multi-factor authentication (MFA). MFA adds an additional step to the sign-in process, which is usually the entry of a PIN or code sent to a device in the user’s possession.
Implementing MFA on all your accounts can stop 99.9% of fraudulent sign-in attempts.
2. Conduct Frequent Phishing Simulation Exercises Companywide
Phishing remains the top cause of malware attacks, data breaches, and other types of cyberattacks. Phishing simulation exercises can keep your team sharp, which improves your overall security posture.
This is especially important for hybrid teams because work-from-home employees won’t have the same opportunity for a second opinion on an email as they do when in an office full of colleagues.
3. Implement a Quarterly Security Awareness Training Program
Security awareness training can reduce your cyber security risk by as much as 70%. It’s important to conduct monthly training to build a culture of security at your organisation and keep employees abreast of the latest phishing scams.
4. Check New Industry Compliance Guidelines (Are We Compliant?)
Data privacy regulations get updated all the time. Additionally, industries bring on new rules and guidelines that may not have existed previously.
It’s important to check for any new industry compliance guidelines, especially those related to a hybrid work model.
5. Add a Remote-Friendly Security Identity and Access Management Tool
Identity and access management is vital for keeping your cloud accounts and network secure. An access management tool gives companies the ability to monitor logins, set different security policies for different privilege types, and deploy geo-based access management.
6. Start Using a Single Sign-On Launchpad
While multi-factor authentication is an excellent protection for hybrid workforces, many companies have a problem with users pushing back on MFA. In a survey by Ponemon of password practices, on average 23% of employees think MFA is “very inconvenient”.
Using a single-sign-on (SSO) solution can reduce the inconvenience of MFA and make it easier for users to adopt.
7. Add Dark Web Monitoring That Includes Privileged Credentials
Dark Web monitoring alerts you if any of your company email addresses are included with credentials being sold on the Dark Web. Knowing immediately of a breach of credentials can give you the early warning you need to mitigate damage to your company as a result.
8. Stop Phishing Attacks with Smart Automated Email Security
Using automated email security can keep a majority of phishing emails from getting to user inboxes. Fewer phishing emails to deal with means better security and higher productivity for your hybrid workforce.
9. Automate Simple Tasks Like Password Resets
The more you can automate simple tasks, such as password resets, the more you reduce the chance of human error. Automation also frees your team up from manual tasks so they can focus on tasks directly related to building and growing your business.
10. Get SaaS Data Protection for Critical Applications
Critical SaaS applications are those that your company relies on for a large part of the workload and those that contain particularly sensitive data.
Three examples of critical applications would be an accounting application, like Xero, a CRM solution like Hubspot, and a virtual productivity work hub, like Microsoft 365. Both contain sensitive data and are vital to daily business processes.
It’s important to protect these SaaS apps with additional data protection tools through the use of cloud application security, automated security policies, and other data protection tactics.
11. Make an Appointment With an Expert for a Security & Compliance Review
You can only do so much yourself. It’s important to get the help of an expert that can review your entire hybrid IT environment for security and compliance. We will let you know of any areas of weakness and recommend improvements to ensure the proper level of protection for your business.
Schedule a Security & Compliance Review Today
The security implications of hybrid work are still a new concept to many Australian businesses. Don’t leave your security and compliance to chance. NetCare can do a full review to let you know where you stand.
Contact us today to learn more. Call (02) 9114 9920 or .