Guest post by Katie Pierce

Every industry was affected when COVID-19 shook the world in 2020. In order to stay up and running, many companies transitioned to having employees work from home. Although remote work offers many benefits — for both companies and employees — it also comes with certain risks.

One of these is the increased threat to a company’s data and computer networks resulting from employees working remotely. Given that employees can perform their responsibilities in the comfort of their own homes — outside the company’s secure network — they’ve become a target for cybercriminals.

A company’s data can also be exposed accidentally through an employee’s negligence. In early 2020, remote workers were responsible for security breaches at 20% of organizations, according to a report by UK-based data protection company databasix.

So if you’re a remote worker, it’s crucial that you follow your company’s cybersecurity practices. This is just as true now as it was during the peak of the pandemic. With a few simple steps, you can reduce the chance of causing a data breach at your company, and potentially losing your job or facing other consequences.

Let’s take a closer look at the data security risks of remote work and how to reduce them.

Why Remote Workers Need to Follow Cybersecurity Practices

For Data Protection

One of the many reasons that employees should follow cybersecurity policies is that it helps ensure that the data you handle remain confidential and secure — this includes data relating to customers, the company, and even personal data.

Customer Data

Remote workers already know that they handle customers’ data. What they may not realize is the potential impact of letting sensitive customer information fall into the hands of a hacker.

The data you collect from your customers are highly valuable. Hackers can use customers’ addresses, phone numbers, emails, and especially their payment information in a number of ways. For example, they can sell that information to other companies, use it to make purchases, or even steal a person’s identity to manipulate other people.

In addition to direct harms to customers from a data breach, there’s also a risk to your company’s reputation. Even a single breach can harm the integrity of your company and cause it to lose the trust of its customers.

Company Data

When cyber threat actors find a way to enter your company’s network, prepare for the worst, because they may also be able to access something bigger than your customers’ data — the entire company network.

If they successfully access the company network, they will be able to exploit information about how your company operates, its finances, important files, and much more. This could severely damage the company.

Personal Data

Not following your company’s policies may also put your own data at risk. When you use your personal laptop for work, you expose your data to the same risks as your customers’ and company’s data.

If hackers successfully install malware on your device, they can spy on you and steal information from your device, such as website usernames and passwords, financial information, and much more.

To Avoid The Risks of Non-Compliance

Besides data protection, another reason you should follow your company’s remote security policies is to avoid risks that can turn your life upside down. What are these risks?

Losing Your Job

Considering how sensitive the data you’re handling is, not following cybersecurity policies can put your job at risk, especially if you’re working in the financial or other high-risk sector.

Paying Expensive Fines

As you may already know, a single data breach can be very expensive. Companies may end up paying customers whose data was compromised. They may also have to pay government fines for non-compliance with data regulations.

If you’re the reason why a data breach happened — for instance, sharing sensitive information intentionally with a hacker — the company may try to get you to pay the fines by filing a civil suit against you.

Cybersecurity Policies for Remote Workers

Now that we know the significance of cybersecurity for remote workers, let’s take a look at the best cybersecurity practices you should follow.

While companies perform risk assessments and other security measures, there are simple practices that you should always keep in mind. Here are a few:

• Use complex passwords and update them regularly
• Activate multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Always install available updates to your computer, smartphone, other devices, and computer programs
• Install antivirus software
• Use a secure network connection and avoid public wifi
• Use a VPN
• Beware of phishing and other cyber threats
• Always back up data

The Bottom Line

A successful cybersecurity strategy has to take into account the role that employees play in keeping data safe. This includes employees working from home, who are often the target of cybercriminals.

If you are a remote worker, you should learn how to mitigate the data risks associated with working remotely, and follow your company’s cybersecurity guidelines. That way, you can avoid the consequences that come with not following those policies.

Katie Pierce is a teacher-slash-writer who loves telling stories to an audience, whether it’s bored adults in front of a computer screen or a bunch of hyperactive 4-year-olds. Writing keeps her sane (most of the time) and allows her to enjoy some quiet time in the evening before she walks into a room of screaming kids (all of whom she loves dearly) the next morning.

Photo by Marek Levak