Typically, when a company moves to a remote work model, they have the luxury of time. Time to plan. Time to implement. Time to assess. The rapid workplace changes due to COVID-19 changed all that. Businesses of all sizes found themselves accelerating their mobile plans in a hurry.

Now that the initial scramble is over, it’s important to assess potential security gaps to stop cybercriminals eager to take advantage. Here are five steps you can take to ensure your business can continue to operate remotely while safeguarding business-critical information.

1. Communicate Security Policies

Which mobile devices does the IT department support? Can employee-owned devices be used for work? If a mobile device is lost, stolen or broken, what is the process to ensure that the data on the device is/was secure? These are all questions employees are bound to ask if they haven’t already. Make sure you have the answers to address these and other concerns that may arise.

2. Provide Ongoing Training

For many, working remotely has been a new concept. Make sure to train your staff on topics such as the dangers of using public Wi-Fi, the use of removable media, and how to recognize and avoid phishing scams to name a few. Hackers are constantly evolving with increasingly complex methods, so your training will need to be ongoing to stay ahead of the game.

3. Utilize Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)

When properly designed and implemented, MFA methods are much more reliable and a stronger deterrent for cybercriminals. MFA not only provides increased network security, but also can help make sure the right people are accessing the right information within your organization. Take the time to evaluate your authentication process and update if needed.

4. Know What’s on Your Wireless Network

You most likely have many Internet of Things (IoT) devices connecting and disconnecting from your network all day long. With the COVID-19 rush, many businesses were busy just trying to keep up with the need to assign computers and other devices. Take some time now to make sure you have clear visibility into what the devices are, who is operating them, and what they are doing.

5. Monitor. Monitor. Monitor.

Deploying anti-virus software and calling it a day simply won’t work. Continuous network monitoring is one of the most proactive ways to deal with security threats and make sure your network is operating the way it should be.

Sound overwhelming? It doesn’t have to be. We’re experts in mobility, so wherever you are at in the process, we can help. Give us a call

Cyber criminals are increasingly targeting private companies in hopes of easy access. Even basic oversights, such as leaving a laptop unattended or opening a spam email, could lead to a cyber attack and ultimately cause a financial loss for your company.

Having the right technology in place to prevent such attacks is a must. However, you should also provide basic training to employees, as they are a critical line of defense against cyber attacks. Here are five topics to cover.

1. Phishing and Spam

Hackers are coming up with increasingly clever scams using fake emails to try and gain access to your company’s network or employee information. Train your employees to spot these phishing attempts and to alert IT to any suspicious emails. You can even purchase phishing simulator training tools to test your employees’ awareness. The results will show what additional training and education may be needed.

2. Strong Passwords

Between work and personal use, it seems like we all have a million passwords to remember. To combat this, employees may be tempted to create an easy password used for multiple purposes. Train employees on the importance of using strong passwords and ways to secure where they store that information.

3. Reporting Problems

Employees may be hesitant to notify IT if they accidently clicked on something they shouldn't have. Or, they may not realize the risks involved with losing a flash drive with sensitive information. Take the time to educate employees and make sure they are comfortable reporting any, and all, security threats.

4. Public Wi-Fi

With the increase in workplace mobility comes an increase in usage of public Wi-Fi. While convenient, Wi-Fi in coffee shops, airports, hotels and elsewhere may not be secure. Educate employees on how to identify secure website and how to connect through a virtual private network (VPN).

5. Social Media

For starters, if you don’t have a social media policy in place, it’s time to implement one. Social media is ripe with hackers looking to elicit information from individuals. Just one click on a post that appears harmless could inadvertently spread malware. Educate employees on acceptable use of social media and have monitoring practices in place to minimize the risks.

It’s a good idea to continue to provide employees with ongoing training and information updates to keep IT security top of mind.

Do you have questions about your IT security? Give us a call to see how we can help.