The 7 Preventable Risks of Remote Work

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant shift towards remote work, bringing about many advantages such as improved flexibility and work-life balance. However, this change in the work environment also presents new security challenges for companies in Australia. 

As evidenced by a September 2022 report by Alliance Virtual Offices, a leading provider of services to the remote workforce, the surge in remote work has led to a 238% increase in cyber-attacks. This makes it increasingly important for organizations adapting to remote work to ensure data and system security.

Here are some preventable risks associated with remote work and how organizations can address them.

 

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  Cybersecurity threats 

 

Remote workers often use personal devices that may not have adequate cybersecurity measures, putting sensitive information at risk of being hacked or leaked. To reduce the risk of cyber-attacks, IT support for Brisbane companies is essential so organizations can have access to the latest cybersecurity tools and resources and follow cybersecurity best practices.

 

• Unsecured Cloud Storage

 

Sensitive company information stored in cloud storage by remote workers may be vulnerable to attacks. To prevent this risk, organizations should ensure that their cloud storage provider implements proper security measures and provide remote workers with training on secure storage and access to the information in the cloud.

 

• Unsecured networks

 

While public Wi-Fi is a convenient option for remote workers, it is also a risk because hackers can intercept sensitive information. To mitigate this risk, remote workers should be educated on the dangers of using public Wi-Fi networks and employ the service of IT support to help provide remote workers with secure network options, such as VPNs.

 

• Social Engineering Attacks

 

Remote workers are more vulnerable to social engineering attacks, such as phishing scams, as they are not physically present in the office. Therefore, they must be educated on the dangers of these attacks and undergo training to identify and prevent them.

 

• Lack of Device Security

 

Personal devices used by remote workers must be secure. To avoid the risk of losing sensitive company information stored on personal devices, organizations should employ reliable IT support for Brisbane companies to provide remote workers with the necessary security updates, device management software, and remote wipe capabilities in case the device is lost or stolen.

 

• Unsecured Collaboration Tools

 

Remote workers often use collaboration tools, such as chat and video conferencing software which are vulnerable to attacks. Companies need reputable IT support to ensure that these collaboration tools are secure and provide remote workers with training to use them securely.

 

• Inadequate Backup and Recovery Measures

 

In the event of a disaster, remote workers may need access to the same backup and recovery resources as office workers. So, organizations should ensure remote workers have access to secure backup and recovery resources and provide training on how to use them.

Conclusion

Remote work presents a new set of risks that companies in Brisbane must address. IT support can mitigate these risks by providing remote workers with the necessary tools and support to work safely and securely. By investing in IT support, companies can ensure the security of their data and the well-being of their employees while embracing the benefits of remote work.