10 Steps To Minimize Risk When Employees Work Remotely

Many organizations are embracing a remote working lifestyle and this trend is only rising. Nearly 3% of the US workforce works remotely in some capacity.  This is a 115 percent increase from 2005.

For all the benefits it may bring, it is opening your business up to an increased risk of a serious data breach.  There are many factors that can contribute to your business becoming the next victim of a cyber attack:

•           Inability to enforce security protocols
•          Remote workers risky behavior
•          Not adhering to security best practices
•           Sharing devices with family and friends
•           Not recognizing suspicious behavior

So, what can you do?

Cyber threats will always be a part of our reality, and cyber security has a hard time keeping up in this ever-changing environment.  If you have employees that work remotely, now is the time to take another hard look at the security of your data.  Here are 10 steps you can take to help minimize your risks:

1. Establish written company security protocols 
2. Restrict or limit the use of public Wi-Fi
3. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
4. Raise awareness by educating workers on how to recognize suspicious behavior
5. Monitor company issued devices (check your state statutes)
6. Apply cloud services
7. Enable data protection software on all devices
8. Restrict employees use the internet and not to use device for personal reasons
9. Proper password management
10. Do not share devices with friends or family

Contact Hawley& Associates today for information on Commercial Cyber Insurance and how it can protect your organization in the event of a data breach.