The Importance of Cybersecurity in the Era of Remote Work

How Remote Work Changes Cybersecurity Needs After COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a significant transformation in workplace dynamics, impacting how we work and where we work. By April 2020, approximately half of Britain's workforce had transitioned to remote work. However, this new way of operating presents its own challenges, particularly regarding cybersecurity. In the era of remote work, organizations face heightened cybersecurity risks that can lead to significant financial losses, operational disruptions, and reputational damage.

Between 2018 and 2023, cyberattacks cost British businesses approximately $55 billion in lost revenue, with compromised emails and data theft being primary causes.

In July 2024, a faulty update from CrowdStrike's security software caused a global IT outage, affecting 8.5 million Microsoft Windows devices and leading to widespread operational disruptions across various sectors.

In 2023, the MOVEit data breach affected over 2,500 organizations, including the BBC and British Airways, leading to significant reputational harm due to the exposure of sensitive data.

These examples underscore the critical importance of robust cybersecurity measures in mitigating the risks associated with remote work.

• Perilous Practices: A 2020 report by Malwarebytes found that 20% of companies faced a security breach stemming from a remote employee's actions. Nearly 1 in 5 organizations admitted that their workers didn't prioritize cybersecurity.
• Costly Cyber Scams: In the UK, coronavirus-related fraud and cybercrime resulted in over £34.5 million in losses as of March 2021. This was triple the amount lost to COVID schemes by mid-2020, indicating a steep rise in pandemic cyber threats.
• Malware and Phishing Explosion: Cybercriminals have wasted no time exploiting the pandemic, as evident in the explosion of COVID-themed phishing and ransomware campaigns. Google reported blocking a staggering 18 million daily phishing emails related to COVID-19 in April 2020 alone. That's on top of 250 million daily coronavirus spam messages.

These remote working statistics show that moving to remote work has deeply changed how important cybersecurity is in our work.

Cybersecurity Concerns in the Remote Work Setting

Let's explore some of the cybersecurity risks that remote employees often face:

• Unsecured Devices: In remote work, employees often use their personal computers and smartphones, which may not be fortified with up-to-date security software. This opens a potential gateway for cybercriminals to exploit any existing vulnerabilities, posing a risk to the security and confidentiality of company data.
• Phishing or Spear Phishing Attacks: This common cyberattack tricks users into revealing sensitive information such as login credentials or credit card numbers. These tactics exploit users' trust and attempt to gain unauthorized access to their data.
• Weak Passwords: Remote workers often use weak passwords or reuse the same password across multiple accounts, making it simpler for cybercriminals to access sensitive data. Companies should strongly advocate for using robust, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication to bolster security. Additionally, using a password manager can help implement these recommendations.
• Unsafe Networks: Remote workers often connect to public Wi-Fi networks, which are notoriously insecure. Cybercriminals can intercept data transmitted over these networks, potentially compromising sensitive information. Companies should equip their employees with a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt data transmitted over public networks.
• Device Theft: With remote work, employees often use their personal devices like laptops and smartphones. If these devices are lost or stolen, there's a risk of corporate data being exposed. Companies must ensure that all remote workers have adequate phishing security measures in place, including device encryption.

Adopting Best Practices for Cybersecurity in Remote Work

Here are some key strategies for ensuring cybersecurity while working remotely:

• Secure Connections: Encourage remote workers to use secure connections when accessing company data or networks. This could mean using a VPN to encrypt data and protect against threats.
• Regular Updates: Remote workers should update their software and devices to ensure they have the latest security patches. This includes updating antivirus software, firewalls, and other security applications.
• Strong Passwords: Advise remote workers to use strong, complex passwords to protect against unauthorized access to company data.
• Data Storage and Transfer: Ensure remote workers store and transfer company data securely. This can be achieved through encrypted storage devices and secure data transfer channels.
• Security Education: Companies should provide security awareness training on cybersecurity best practices, including identifying and avoiding phishing scams, using secure passwords, and keeping software and devices updated.

Protect Your Data While Working Remotely with Keepnet Labs

Experience the power of comprehensive cybersecurity solutions with Keepnet. Empower your team and create a culture of security awareness. Don't simply react to cybersecurity threats; proactively prevent them with our robust tools and expert guidance.

Watch the YouTube video below to see unified Keepnet Labs solutions and how they work.

Editor's Note: This blog was updated on December 5, 2024.