Remember when remote work was the exception rather than the rule? Those days are long gone. While the flexibility has been revolutionary, it’s opened up a Pandora’s box of security vulnerabilities that many businesses are still struggling to address.
The truth is, many organisations implemented remote work policies as a rapid response to necessity, not with careful security planning – and now, they’re feeling the consequences.
These are the five most common remote work security mistakes you might be making right now, plus the practical steps you can take to fix them.
The #1 Remote Work Security Mistake? Putting Off Software Updates
We’ve all been there. That update notification pops up at the worst possible moment, and you click “remind me later” for the umpteenth time. But those updates aren’t just about new features; they often contain critical security patches for vulnerabilities that hackers are actively exploiting.
When your team works remotely, there’s no IT professional walking the floor, ensuring everyone’s system is current. This creates a patchwork of vulnerabilities across your organisation, with each outdated device representing a potential entry point.
The Simple Fix
For most of us, delaying software updates comes down to concerns about efficiency. We’re worried about whether clicking ‘update now’ is going to get in the way of us doing our actual job – so make it as minimally invasive as possible for your staff:
- Implement cloud-based remote monitoring and management tools that allow your IT team to push updates automatically during off-hours.
- Create a company policy requiring updates within a specific timeframe.
- Educate your team on why these updates are critical for both company and personal security.
#2: Using Applications Your IT Team Doesn’t Know About
Shadow IT – the practice of using applications without IT department approval – has skyrocketed with remote work. It’s understandable; you need tools to get your job done efficiently, and sometimes the ones you’re given aren’t the best for the job. But those unapproved Slack workspaces, file-sharing sites, and productivity apps create significant security blind spots.
The problem isn’t just that these applications might have security flaws. It’s that your IT team can’t protect what they don’t know exists. Each unauthorised application creates an unmonitored access point to your company’s sensitive data.
The Simple Fix
Resolving this security slip-up comes down to better communication:
- Create a clear application approval process that balances security with productivity.
- Work with your IT team to find and approve tools that meet both business needs and security requirements.
Bonus remote work security tip: Cloud-based remote monitoring and management systems can help track application usage across your organisation, giving you an idea of which apps aren’t actually proving useful for your team that you can use to start a feedback loop.
#3: Not Securing Remote Employees’ Personal Devices
Even with the best policies in place, the reality is that many remote workers use personal devices for work purposes. This creates a significant security challenge, as these devices typically lack enterprise-grade security measures (and may be shared with family members).
The mixing of personal and professional data creates complex security scenarios. Even if you have a formal BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy, it’s difficult to maintain security when company applications run on networks and devices outside your control.
Traditional security approaches assumed devices would operate within the protected perimeter of the company network. That assumption no longer holds, which means your security strategy needs to evolve.
The Simple Fix
- Choose endpoint protection and cloud-based security solutions that protect company data regardless of the device or network being used.
- Consider virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solutions that keep sensitive operations within a secure cloud environment instead of on the physical device.
- Most importantly, provide clear guidelines on securing home networks and personal devices used for work. If you don’t know how to do it, your employees won’t either!
#4: Using Public Wi-Fi (Without Quality VPN Protection)
The freedom to work from anywhere comes with hidden risks – particularly when that “anywhere” includes public Wi-Fi networks. It’s becoming common knowledge not to use the free Wi-Fi at coffee shops for work, and for good reason; 17% of respondents to a 2023 survey reported experiencing hacks in such locations.
What’s less commonly understood is that co-working spaces aren’t necessarily safer. In fact, they could be the most vulnerable places for data theft, with 18% of survey participants experiencing security breaches while working from these seemingly professional environments.
The Simple Fix
VPNs encrypt all transmitted data, making it unreadable even if intercepted. So, it’s a good idea to:
- Provide enterprise-grade VPN solutions for all remote workers
- Make it clear that they’re required on any network outside the home or office.
Additionally, consider cellular data as a more secure alternative when working in public spaces.
#5: Ignoring Your IT Department
Just because they aren’t in the building doesn’t mean they aren’t looking out for you.
When your IT director is begging you to use multi-factor authentication, or please update your passwords, or not share photos with a screenful of sensitive company data in the background, they’re not trying to make your life difficult. They’re trying to prevent security catastrophes that could impact the entire business.
Don’t let the comfort of home lull you into a false sense of security. If anything, digital dangers are heightened there, so it’s more important than ever to follow the advice you’re being given.
The Simple Fix
- Create channels for regular security communications from your IT team
- Recognise and reward security-conscious behaviour
- Make it easy for employees to report potential security concerns without fear of reprimand
Don’t Have an In-House Cyber Security Expert?
Why not get access to a whole team of them? The Outbound Group’s managed security services provide businesses of every size with 24/7 professional support and guidance.
We’ll keep your team secure, no matter where they’re based. Learn more here.
Stop Employees Making These Common Remote Work Security Mistakes
To recap, here’s a roundup of the practical steps we recommend to strengthen your remote security posture:
1. Create clear security guidelines: Develop and regularly update remote work security policies that address each of the mistakes outlined above.
2. Standardise cloud platforms: Move teams to a single cloud productivity suite that allows administrators to enforce security policies across all users and devices. (We wrote about using the cloud optimally here, if you’re interested.)
3. Opt for automation: Utilise cloud platforms that provide automatic updates, enforce MFA, and encrypt data by default.
4. Provide regular security awareness training: Prevention requires both technology and training. Conduct ongoing, engaging sessions that reflect the current threat landscape for remote workers.
Need Help Securing Remote Employees?
At Outbound, we understand that securing remote workforces requires a personalised approach. With backgrounds in a variety of cyber security specialisations, our team of experts can equip your business with:
- Data security and backup solutions: Ensuring your critical information remains protected and recoverable, regardless of where it’s accessed
- Staff training (delivered remotely): Engaging, practical security education that addresses the specific challenges of remote work
- Vulnerability assessments: Identifying and addressing weak points in your remote work infrastructure before they can be exploited
Visit our cyber security page to learn more (and claim an initial security assessment on us).
