After the pandemic, remote work has become increasingly popular with many companies making the switch to managing their workforce remotely. Not only that, roughly 56% of full-time workers in the U.S. state that their job can be done remotely from home, and many of the surveyed participants expressed they want remote work to continue to be an option.
With the rise in remote work preferences, managing a remote workforce efficiently and securely is of utmost importance. Companies must ensure that their workers are productive and compliant in their work environments, as well as protected against any cyber threats.
To make managing your remote workforce easier, here are some best practices for staying secure while working remotely:
1. Establish Clear Guidelines & Policies
Organizations should have clear and defined guidelines for managing a remote workforce. This includes policies regarding communication, managing employee hours and performance, as well as security protocols. Establishing these rules will ensure that everyone is on the same page and help to protect against potential threats or cyber risks.
2. Improve Collaboration with the Cloud and Microsoft 365
Organizations should take advantage of cloud-based technologies and Microsoft 365 to help facilitate collaboration between remote workers. By leveraging the cloud, companies are able to store data in a secure environment, easily access documents from anywhere with an internet connection, as well as keep track of employee progress and productivity.
Microsoft 365 also provides the necessary tools to enhance collaboration between workers at any place and ensure secure collaboration, such as advanced security features, data loss prevention, and encryption.
3. Educate Employees on Cybersecurity
It’s vital that organizations educate their employees on cybersecurity best practices. This includes teaching them how to recognize and avoid potential phishing scams, as well as other cyber threats they may encounter while working remotely. Investing in security awareness training not only makes for more educated employees but also improves your cyber resiliency!
Employees should also be aware of the signs to look out for when it comes to cyber risks; such as the signs of a phishing email and what to do in the event of a cyber-attack or data breach.
4. Use a Secure Network
Managing a remote workforce requires secure online networks and connections to avoid any potential cyber threats. Organizations should also invest in a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or other secure connection methods to protect employees’ online activity and sensitive data while they are working remotely.
Additionally, employees should be instructed to only use company-approved devices when working remotely and avoid connecting to any unsecured public networks.
5. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication
To protect access to sensitive data, organizations should require multi-factor authentication for remote users. This requires users to provide two or more independent credentials before granting access and can include passwords, security questions, or biometric information such as fingerprints or facial recognition. Most cybersecurity insurance policies now require your organization to have MFA enabled on all devices and applications – AIS can help you get started with MFA services.
6. Utilize Security Software & Solutions
Organizations should use security software and solutions to protect their network from potential cyber threats, which includes antivirus software, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems that can detect any malicious activity on the network.
Organizations should also regularly update security patches to ensure their networks are up-to-date with the latest security measures to securely manage a remote workforce.
Manage a Secure Remote Workforce with AIS
At AIS, we aim to help organizations manage their remote workforce securely and efficiently so that they can provide greater support and services to their customers. That’s why utilizing our managed IT services are designed to provide secure access, data protection, collaboration tools, and more.
With our expert team of IT professionals, we can help you find the right solutions that are tailored to your business needs. Through our services and technology, we can help organizations stay ahead of the curve when it comes to managing a remote workforce.
Set up a meeting today with our expert representatives to learn more about our remote work solutions and how we can help your business stay secure.