The pandemic has changed every facade of life. Be it transforming homes into classrooms or changing the very meaning of work, governments and people worldwide have quickly adapted to the new normal. While remote or hybrid working was common for some job roles and offices, it has become the very fabric of work today.
As more and more organizations and individuals realize the benefits of this kind of work module, it is safe to assume that Work-from-Home will not go out of fashion (or need) anytime soon. And while most of the stakeholders (you, your boss, and your client) are happy with this arrangement, one team in your organization is losing their night’s sleep trying to keep your system and work secure – the IT team.
According to a report released late last year, the percentage of IT professionals who are confident in their company’s IT infrastructure to hold its ground in the event of a cyberattack came down from 71% to 44%. Well, even though the Coronavirus is in no way making the other computer viruses more potent, cybersecurity is a growing concern amidst enterprises with remote working modules.
Why is Remote Working Worrying IT Professionals?
According to the same report, the top 3 reasons why IT professionals are scared about the long-term effect of work-from-home on the state of their company’s cybersecurity framework are –
- Dangers of malware attack on personal devices – 32% of experts are worried that home-based devices are not strong enough to ward off malware attacks and may lead to OS crashes or data loss, ultimately hampering work output.
- Cyberhackers find it easy to hack personal devices – 24% of IT experts feel the lack of high-end, enterprise-grade security is one of the main reasons hackers find it super simple to hack into personal devices. Unsafe networks and Wi-Fi are other common contributing factors.
- Lack of physical security at home (or anywhere employees choose to work from) – 47% of IT experts assert the lack of physical security as a cause of worry. Imagine someone (a competitor maybe) who wants sensitive information about your clients knows exactly where you keep your backup files and happens to enter by force and steal it! The repercussions are dangerous.
And Their Concerns are Right!
As per Interpol, one of the premium intelligence and police agencies in the world, there is a growing concern about the increase in the rate of cybercrimes all targeted at work-from-homers. Here’s what their report said – “With organizations and businesses rapidly deploying remote systems and networks to support staff working from home, criminals are also taking advantage of increased security vulnerabilities to steal data, generate profits, and cause disruption.”
Amidst all this concern over keeping data safe, there is a steady increase in the demand for skilled Cybersecurity professionals globally. Now is one of the best times to reskill or upskill yourself with industry-relevant skills. At JobsAcademy, an initiative of the esteemed 2COMS Group, we work round the clock to help you become future-ready. Our Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) course is everything you need in an ethical hacking and cybersecurity training program to make your career align with industry needs and build a secure future.
So, while you start your learning journey, here are five super effective cybersecurity tips to keep your data safe from malicious intents.
Source: https://www.businesstechweekly.com/productivity/remote-working/cybersecurity-for-remote-workers/
How to Keep your Work-from-Home Setup Safe – 5 Tips
- Don’t Ignore the Update your PC Signals to
Everyone with a smartphone or a laptop or PC shares the blame on this one. There’s a reason why manufacturers turn on auto-updates these days, and ignoring the alert only makes your device more vulnerable to threats. Software updates are not just about new features or UI changes (yes, everyone hates frequent UI changes), but they fix security issues. So, the next time you see the software or security patch update alert, make sure you do not snooze it for more than a day. An updated device is much more challenging to hack into.
- Keep the VPN on as Much as Possible
If you connect to your employer’s VPN (Virtual Private Network) for your work, you are safer than others who don’t use it. Using a VPN is much more secure as it taps on the employer’s high-end cybersecurity framework. In some work processes like banking and healthcare, it is mandatory to access data through a secure VPN only, and there are good reasons for that.
Source: https://www.businesstechweekly.com/productivity/remote-working/cybersecurity-for-remote-workers/
When you use a VPN, all the data you and the employer are transferring goes via high-level encryption. It prevents hackers and spies from intercepting such data. Avoid using public networks like in cafes for your work unless you connect to the VPN. If you are willing to learn about VPN and its significance in ensuring cybersecurity, we would like to tell you that the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) course at JobsAcademy goes into the working depths of setting up secure VPNs and how to troubleshoot them. Besides, this ethical hacking course will also come to your aid in establishing a career in the cybersecurity industry.
- Steer Clear of Phishing Links
While this may seem pretty trivial because everyone knows you did not win 20 Crores in a lottery (well, unless you actually did!) but phishing scammers have come a long way from such frivolous attempts. In recent times, most of these emails claim to give COVID-related information and flood your already full inbox with a dozen emails (with unique clickbait subjects) every single day.
Another ingenious hack phishers use is sending emails that look like they came from the CEO of your company asking for some financial help because his dog died or a new employee policy giving you two weeks’ extra salary to help you through tough times! Well, more often than not, these contain phishing links which, the moment you click, infect your device with malware and pry on sensitive data!
- Stop Using your Birthdate as Passwords
One of the first things all hackers do is hack the legit way by entering your password. Now, if you do not secure your password enough, it is hugely convenient for a seasoned cybercrook to infringe your privacy settings. However, if your password is tough to guess, it becomes a challenge for hackers, and they often quit trying.
So, set up secure passwords for all your devices and networks (Wi-Fi, router, apps, mailboxes, social media channels, etc. Use 2-factor authenticators whenever you can. It offers excellent second-level security that is much tougher to breach.
- Backup Even your Backups!
Even if it sounds paranoid, there is no alternative to secure and structured backups. Even if your company uses centralized backup storage (physical or cloud-based), ensure all your data is up and secure in remote storage. It only ensures you can easily access your work, but it also provides a plan B for emergencies.
In addition to backing up diligently, try to avoid mixing your work device and your personal devices. Cybercrooks and spies love to ride on such vulnerabilities to make your life miserable. With so many people online, it is like a carnival for hackers. Try to discourage other family members from using your work device.
Summing Up
Work-from-home is here to stay. Period. But as much as you enjoy the benefits of this working module, it is vital to secure your freedom by making the setup robust so that it can fend off cyber threats. Work on removing vulnerabilities and learn about cybersecurity best practices. Sign up for JobsAcademy industry-relevant and professional courses on Ethical Hacking and say yes to a secured remote work opportunity.
