8 Cybersecurity Best Practices For Your Remote Workforce

The shift to hybrid working patterns has brought numerous benefits, but it also presents unique cybersecurity challenges. Whether your employees work at home or in the office it’s crucial to implement strong security measures to protect sensitive data and maintain operational integrity.

Here’s our top 8 cybersecurity best practices for your remote workforce, along with Microsoft solutions that can help address these challenges, and real-life examples of security breaches to illustrate the importance of these measures.

Follow these cybersecurity tips and equip yourself with the essential tools, strategies and training to ensure your peace of mind.

1. Implement Strong Authentication Methods:
   

   Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security. This ensures that even if passwords are compromised, unauthorised access is prevented. For instance, an employee logging into the company’s system would need to enter a password and then verify their identity through a code sent to their mobile device.

   Microsoft Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) provides robust identity and access management, including multi-factor authentication (MFA) and conditional access policies.

2. Secure Home Networks:
   

   Encourage employees to use strong, unique passwords for their home Wi-Fi networks and to regularly update their router firmware to protect against vulnerabilities. This can prevent unauthorised access to the network and protect sensitive company data.

   Microsoft Defender for Endpoint can help secure devices connected to home networks by providing advanced threat detection and response capabilities.

   Microsoft Teams offers secure communication and collaboration tools, with features like data encryption, secure guest access, and compliance capabilities to protect sensitive information.

3. Use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs):
   

   VPNs encrypt internet traffic, making it difficult for cybercriminals to intercept data. Ensure that employees use VPNs when accessing company resources remotely. For example, an employee working from a coffee shop can use a VPN to securely connect to the company’s internal network.

   Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway provides secure, scalable VPN connections to ensure that remote workers can safely access company resources.

4. Regular Software Updates:
   

   Keep all software, including operating systems and applications, up to date with the latest security patches to protect against known vulnerabilities. Automated update policies can be enforced to ensure compliance.

   Microsoft Intune allows businesses to manage and secure devices, ensuring that all software is up to date with the latest security patches.

5. Employee Training and Awareness:
   

   Conduct regular cybersecurity training sessions to educate employees about phishing attacks, safe browsing practices, and the importance of reporting suspicious activities. Simulated phishing exercises can help employees recognise and avoid real threats.

   Microsoft 365 Security includes tools for conducting simulated phishing exercises and training materials to improve employee awareness.

6. Data Encryption:
   

   Encrypt sensitive data both in transit and at rest to ensure that even if data is intercepted or accessed without authorisation, it remains unreadable. For instance, using end-to-end encryption for emails containing confidential information.

   Microsoft 365 Security offers data loss prevention (DLP) and information protection features to encrypt sensitive data both in transit and at rest.

7. Implement Endpoint Security:
   

   Use endpoint security solutions to protect devices used by remote workers from malware, ransomware, and other threats.

   Microsoft Defender for Endpoint provides comprehensive endpoint security, including antivirus, firewall, and intrusion detection systems.

8. Backup Data Regularly:
   

   Regularly back up critical data to ensure that it can be restored in the event of a cyberattack or data loss incident.

   Microsoft Azure Backup offers cloud-based backup solutions that provide automated and secure backups of critical data.

The Consequences of a Data Breach

The consequences of a cyber breach are significant, as you can see from these cases in Australia in recent years:

Latitude Financial Data Breach (2023)

Latitude Financial, an Australian personal loan and financial service provider, experienced a data breach impacting over 14 million customers. The breach occurred when employee credentials were stolen, allowing unauthorised access to customer data, including names, addresses, and identification numbers. This incident emphasises the need for strong authentication methods and regular security audits.

Optus Data Breach (2022)

One of the largest breaches in Australian history affected up to 10 million customers whose personal information and ID were compromised.

Medibank Data Breach (2022)

9.7 million Australians were impacted by this breach while the health claims data of 480,000 customers were posted on the dark web. In this case a worker’s login credentials were used to infiltrate the system.

Levitas Capital Hack (2020)

This Sydney-based hedge fund collapsed after a senior executive clicked on a fraudulent Zoom invitation, leading to a cyber-attack that cost the company $8.7 million, highlighting the importance of employee training and the use of secure communication tools.

Canva Data Breach (2019)

Australian design platform Canva suffered a significant data breach affecting 137 million users by exposing usernames, real names, email addresses, and encrypted passwords. This incident underscores the importance of robust data encryption and timely detection of malicious activities.

By implementing best practices and leveraging leading solutions, you can create a secure remote work environment that protects your business against cyber threats and ensures the continuity of your operations.

Contact us for information on cybersecurity solutions including our Managed Security options to keep your business safe.