Remote work has expanded dramatically, offering benefits for employees and employers alike. However, it also opens new avenues for attackers, particularly when staff connect to company resources from home networks or public Wi-Fi. One of the strongest defenses is to require employees to use a virtual private network (VPN) that encrypts data in transit, making it far harder for third parties to intercept sensitive information. Restricting remote access rights so that employees can only interact with the systems necessary for their job function also curbs potential damage from stolen credentials.
Whenever possible, provide company-owned devices to employees who work remotely, and ensure these devices have up-to-date operating systems, antivirus software, and strong authentication measures. If employees must use personal devices, you can still enforce baseline security checks, such as requiring specific antivirus solutions, regular updates, and preventing the use of rooted or jailbroken devices. Safe file-sharing practices are another critical consideration. Many collaboration tools like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 offer secure, cloud-based platforms that control who can view, edit, or download files. Configuring access permissions properly, along with routine audits of who has access to certain documents, can maintain security and guard against unauthorized data sharing.