Cybercriminals rarely waste time targeting businesses that follow robust network security guidelines. But, if your company has recently started using remote networks, you may not have all of the security features in place to ward off security threats.
Until you solve that problem, you run the risk of getting attacked by criminals who want to steal private data, hold your information ransom or hijack your network to mine cryptocurrencies.
Avoid the following five mistakes so you can protect your company and clients when employees access your network remotely.
1. You Don’t Have 24/7 System Monitoring
An attack can happen at any time, including when your employees open a dangerous email attachment, visit a website infected with malware or a hacker identifies a flaw in your network security. Unfortunately, attacks only become worse over time. For example, hackers may need a few hours before they can give themselves the system privileges needed to view sensitive data.
To stop hackers from infiltrating your systems, 24/7 system monitoring is key. This round-the-clock monitoring service catches potential attacks as soon as possible to prevent ongoing problems. Other critical cybersecurity services include:
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- Threat exposure monitoring that searches for and removes weaknesses from your network.
- Comprehensive reporting that provides an action plan you can use to eliminate security vulnerabilities.
- Objective advice about products and services that will make your system more resilient.
2. You Don’t Use a VPN When Accessing On-Site Data
When your employees use the Internet to connect to your on-site networks, they run the risk of exposing data to eavesdroppers. The data could include anything from your network passwords to client credit card numbers.
A virtual private network (VPN) makes data moving between your network and off-site computers private to keep hackers from compromising it. VPNs add security by doing the following:
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- Encrypting all information that travels between the network and computers.
- Disguising locations so hackers don’t know who they’re trying to target.
- Creating virtual tunnels that run from off-site computers to your on-site systems.
With a VPN, few hackers have the skills to access your data. Even if they do find a way to access your data, encryption makes it unreadable.
3. You Don’t Have Secure Telecommunications
If your employees talk to customers and potential clients over the phone, then you need secure telecommunications that will help prevent calls from being intercepted. Telecommunication technologies like VoIP can be an effective solution; however, because they use an Internet connection to transport call data, it’s still essential that you implement secure VoIP services from a professional.
Managed IT services will give you the secure telecommunications that your employees need to continue serving clients without making your remote network vulnerable. Additionally, managed IT services can help address other concerns about transitioning to remote work, upgrading your technology and maintaining the highest level of security.
4. You Haven’t Written a BYOD or Remote Working Policy
Letting employees use their own devices at the office and while working from home offers a lot of benefits. Personal devices, however, can also expose your business to unknown threats. You can help contain those threats by writing BYOD and remote-working policies.
Your policy should outline factors such as the following:
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- Creating strong passwords.
- Accepting encryption standards.
- Recognizing the early warning signs of computer viruses.
- Remotely locking and wiping mobile devices.
- Separating personal and work data.
Your policy may differ from those of other companies, but it needs to address these minimum standards.
5. Your Employees Have Slow or Unstable Internet Connections
Slow, unstable Internet connections are some of the earliest symptoms of a computer virus. As the virus performs tasks on the computer, users often notice that the system has become unusually slow.
When your employees have slow or unstable Internet connections, it becomes much more difficult to realize that a virus has infected their computers. Since the employee is used to an unreliable Internet connection, he or she may not notice any change.
Make sure your remote workers have fast, reliable Internet connections with the proper upload and download speeds so they can stay productive and recognize changes caused by computer viruses.
If you have any other questions about securing your remote network, get in touch with the IT specialists at AxiaTP. They can help you choose solutions that protect your company, employees, and clients.
