Managing a remote workforce? Consider these ways to prioritize data security

As more and more companies are embracing remote work in the face of social distancing, cyber security has quickly become top of mind. For those unfamiliar with the cyber security landscape, it can feel overwhelming to get started. But there are several key services and programs that are worth looking into to make sure you are keeping your employee documentation safe and secure.  

Updated Virus Protection 

Antivirus software is designed to find known viruses and oftentimes other malware such as Ransomware, Trojan Horses, worms, spyware, adware, etc., that can have a detrimental impact to the user or device. Such programs are still one of the most important staples to cyber security. Antivirus programs provide a way to protect against known threats. The effectiveness of an antivirus program is heavily dependent on how often it is updated. Therefore, it is important to have the antivirus program scheduled to update daily.  Most antivirus programs rely on a library or database of known viruses that they use to compare with programs on a user’s device. If a match is found, the malicious program will either be deleted or placed into a quarantine area from which a user can decide to restore or delete the program manually.  

But virus protection alone is not enough to keep documentation safe and secure. The clear vulnerability with virus protection software is that it can’t protect against new or unknown viruses or attacks.  

VPN 

VPN is critical to reducing risk when not on the official corporate network. This is especially true with more workers trying to stay productive while remote than ever before. VPN has long been the answer to these remote work security concerns and it is even more relevant today. VPN provides secure access to the internal network that remote employees need to be a productive day in and day out. It furthermore limits risk by ensuring a secure connection while giving your remote workers access to the resources they need. Making sure that remote workers have access to the right information and resources via your internal network is critical but it must be provided with data security to ensure your sensitive information is kept safe. But with VPN, data security is protected while your workforce can stay in touch just like any other employee. 

Multi-Factor Authentication 

Multi-Factor Authentication is a security protocol that is quickly becoming the new standard of identity verification. Requiring users to provide multiple forms of identity verification (such as a password and mobile device request, for example) will provide better protection at all levels of access. This form of authentication will help add that extra layer of security that can make your data not worth the effort of stealing. Remember that hackers are often looking for the path of least resistance, and this can be all it takes to deter a potential attack. 

Password Managers 

Many of the biggest and most notorious corporate data hacks have been blamed on inefficient password protections. A strong password is one that is easy to remember but hard to guess. But that in and of itself is not enough protection these days. Using the same password across different devices and even across different access levels can lead to very real problems. The same is true for duplicating passwords across personal and professional accounts. However, the invention of password managers has changed the game. Companies can easily increase the quality of their passwords without slowing down their employees. From storing to creating complex and difficult to hack passwords, managers are the smart and convenient way forward.  

For more assistance keeping your remote workers as protected as possible, connect with the team at Happy Faces Records Management today. 

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