Due to the rise of covid-19, companies in India are rapidly adapting to remote work and cyber attackers have been actively releasing different types of viruses.

Today, employees are not left with any choice but to work from home and businesses must address the challenges associated with the remote workforce to reap the benefits of working with the brightest minds.

Working remotely in India demanded that businesses pay attention to network and IT security. For organizations, cybersecurity is no longer just a challenge. Remote employees work round the clock using a combination of personal and organizational devices. 

This means, they are accessing the company's data from home and therefore increasing the risk of accidental disclosure of critical information or an external attack.

Remote working along with a shift to digitization has pushed companies into new risks of cybersecurity. Despite tight security measures, the company's data can become vulnerable to cyberattacks. The challenge is bigger for smaller companies that have a high risk of vulnerabilities.

Let's take a look at the top 7 security issues of working remotely in India that every organization must know about to stay prepared when working with remote employees.

1. Unsecure home Wi-Fi
In organizations, IT managers can control the security of all Wi-Fi networks. However, home networks have weaker protocols and allow hackers easier access to the network's traffic. When you are on an unsecured wireless connection, the hackers can capture any information you give online. Most of the home Wi-Fi networks use WEP open authentication, which has many security flaws.

Also, Read:  How to Know if a website is safe?

Networks are one of the major cybersecurity problems. Cybercriminals can easily enter into the unsecured network and intercept the information. For enhanced security, it is advised to choose WPA2 encryption, which is the most secure encryption available.

Use the most secure VPN to protect the data when the devices are connected to unsecured Wi-Fi networks to help protect the data you send and receive when you are using home wi-fi.

2. Weak passwords
Weaker password is another security issue that enables cybercriminals to get unauthorized access to multiple accounts in a short period. Security experts have recognized that the problems associated with passwords are brute forcible, security, common passwords, etc. To prevent this security issue, companies ask their employees to change their passwords every two weeks.

A password manager can be your first defense against being attacked. It allows users to store, generate and manage their passwords for local as well as online activities.

Also, Read:  How to Prevent a Website from Automatically Downloading .exe File

3. Phishing / Vishing / Smishing
Online scams like phishing or vishing are recognized as the top causes of security breaches. Cybercriminals send legitimate and deceitful emails with infected links and attachments to their targets ie the employees. Once the target clicks on the links, the hacker can easily access the device and enter the network.

Business email compromise (BEC) can target anyone in the company. Generally, the email requests transfer of funds to a new account. In many cases, the hackers will have infiltrated your organization's vendors to ensure they are impersonating a person you trust.

Regular awareness and training on current threats are a must. It is imperative to equip the employees with simple methods of security so that the data stays healthy.

4. Unencrypted file sharing
With so many employees working remotely, it's time to revisit the file-sharing protocols and adjust them as required. Employees working from home may need to transfer files to their colleagues. Most of the time, they assume the transfers are Employees may send unencrypted emails or accidentally forward the data to unauthorized recipients. In reality, the risks are plenty.

Preventing unsecured file sharing involves a lot of training, education, and awareness. To prevent risky file-sharing practices, enterprises must pick a file transfer protocol with built-in data encryption.

5. Use of personal devices
Another big concern is the use of personal devices for work. The devices provided by companies come with multiple layers of security that cannot be easily accessed by cybercriminals. Personal devices may not have appropriate software for working in a remote environment. It is hard to monitor on personal devices if the latest software version is installed or not.

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While using personal devices make your employees feel a sense of flexibility, these can pose cybersecurity risks. Periodically updating the software ensures that the existing gaps are patched before a cybercriminal can exploit them.

 6. Bypass two-factor authentication
Another security issue with working remotely in India is the man-in-the-middle attack. Cybercriminals often use fake screens to steal tokens and credentials – using which they impersonate the user and log in from their system.

Once the attacker gains access, they can implant malware into the network or steal sensitive data. With the employee's devices outside the company's firewall, it is crucial to prepare for cyberattacks by practicing good cyber hygiene.

Tips to prevent security issues with remote working
Remote employees are often the source of network security incidents that can spread quickly through the rest of the organization. A strong security policy is critical to network resilience and daily operations. Here are the top security tips to ensure your employees are working from home safely. 1. Use trusted antivirus program at home2. Keep the family members away from work devices3. Use a secured VPN4. Switch to the centralized storage solution 5. Secure the home Wi-Fi6. Use strong passwords / passphrases7 Beware of email, SMS, and voice scams8. Encrypt office devices9. Keep the OS and antivirus up-to-date10. Enable two-factor authentication

Cybersecurity for remote employees requires constant vigilance. By following the cybersecurity best practices – employees and employers can avoid risks and ensure safety.

Bottom Line
The outbreak of Covid-19 gave rise to several new cyber threats. Organizations across the globe must keep in view these security issues and drive their employees on how to fight such odds. Everyone must take proper security measures and protect sensitive data from being. compromised.

With diligence on cybersecurity, organizations can support a remote workforce while maintaining a secured network for all employees. Learning to recognize the potential security threats will allow companies to provide a favourable balance between personal and professional life. 

Start securely managing your work with a flexible and centralized solution today!