Emerging Cybersecurity for Remote Teams Trends: 2024
With so many people working remotely now, cybersecurity for remote teams has never been more important. Hackers know this is because remote workers use less cybersecurity than an in-office work environment.
Emerging Cybersecurity for Remote Teams in 2024
With so many people working remotely now, cybersecurity for remote teams has never been more important. Hackers know this is because remote workers use less cybersecurity than an in-office work environment. They also know it’s hard for companies to maintain their cybersecurity posture with employees scattered about working from a coffee shop, home office, or anywhere there is a Wi-Fi signal. In this blog, you'll learn that securing your remote team needs both a plan and practical steps from the business owner and employees.
Biggest Cybersecurity Risks for Remote Workers
The below security risks apply to most industries, whether it's marketing, ecommerce or the average small business.
Insecure Wi-Fi Network
One of the most common security threats is using an insecure Wi-Fi network. If you are working from a public network, your data could be compromised. When connecting, the signal doesn't know if you're at home or at a public hotspot, so think before you click that “connect” button. Hackers prey on those unsecured networks in places like coffee shops or airports. Key Takeaway: Never connect to any company database on any network that doesn't require a password.
Family Members on Home Wi-Fi
Think about this: family members are generally less concerned with cyber security and might not take all the necessary steps. A user's device on a home network can still be exploited by a hacker and create work security issues. If a family member visits malicious websites or downloads infected software, that could compromise the whole network, even your work computer. For example, the IBM Cost of a Data Breach 2022 Report discovered something interesting. They found that around the globe, remote working increases the average cost of a breach by almost $1 million dollars. It's amazing how vulnerable a user's device can become when connected at home or on public Wi-Fi.
Phishing Emails and Phishing Scams
Hackers also try to steal passwords by creating realistic-looking emails or websites. We have all seen them, and phishing scams have actually become quite advanced and difficult to detect, but the way they try to get in has always been the same: someone tricking you into clicking a malicious link, which could give them access to your password and then to your company's network and information.
Security Tips for Remote Teams
Here's how to take practical steps for building strong security. This will keep both the user and the organization safe, especially with an increase in employees who are now working remotely.
Make Sure All Security Software is Installed
Your device needs software to detect known security threats. Businesses generally use antivirus software on work devices. This will hunt down known cyber security threats, malware, and ransomware. If those tools are on work-issued computers, make sure employees are using them. These updates and security software programs will keep company data safe. Antivirus programs only find what is already known, so consider using software with EDR , as EDR helps find real-time security threats. You never know how or where the latest security threat might pop up.
Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for Security Threats
Think of this: a VPN connection keeps the user's device safe. When the user connects to the internet they will be able to share files securely with the company and protect both personal information and corporate data from prying eyes. Here's why it works; a VPN gives you an encrypted connection which is really a tunnel from your device to the server. So anyone outside the tunnel can't see what’s traveling through it. You're much safer if the signal traveling through your work environment can't be intercepted by someone.
Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Every user knows they have to keep passwords secure, but passwords have gotten incredibly difficult to keep track of. For passwords you have to avoid simple connections to you such as a name or a birthday, especially those from family or pets. But what's really surprising is that over 60 percent of corporate data is stored in the cloud . So there's never been more at stake with cyberattacks, that’s why it is important for both organizations and individuals to go beyond simple passwords. Multi-factor Authentication or MFA adds an extra layer. Instead of just a simple password a user's device has to have a physical key, a code to a mobile phone, a phone call or something biometric. Examples of strong MFA software include:
| MFA Provider | Features | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duo Security | Offers secure access to applications. Has adaptive authentication to analyze risk and context during login attempts. This includes biometrics and security keys | Trusted by enterprises globally and adapts to any device a remote worker might have | Can be costly and sometimes inconvenient for average users at a home office or coffee shop |
| Authy | This offers secure backup and sync capabilities for user accounts across multiple devices. A remote worker's device is much safer because the data stored on a device is secure with backups. | User friendly interface that's easier to use compared to other two-factor providers | Doesn't support as many integrations compared to Duo or other companies |
| LastPass | Incorporates the concept of one-time passwords with MFA across websites and apps | A simple choice for secure access | Could have conflicts with built in two-factor provider for mobile users. Not as many feature rich options as Duo |
Train Your Remote Employees on How To Work Securely
Remember that with cybersecurity for remote teams, one of the best methods for remote working security is simply telling your team how to work securely from home or any remote work environment. It is important to train your team on:
- Creating good passwords
- Setting up a VPN connection
- Using security software such as antivirus
- How to look out for a suspicious link in an email and how to avoid clicking those suspicious links
- How to avoid connecting to any unsecured Wi-Fi
It is evident that cybersecurity for remote teams needs attention, especially as remote employees become more and more common. In 2025, the cost of cybercrime is estimated to hit almost $10 trillion dollars. To put it in perspective, that would be more money than the largest economies combined. What's more concerning is that that number continues to grow year after year as more companies and governments store their sensitive information on a cloud provider’s server or employees work from insecure devices, home offices, or public hotspots where a user’s information is vulnerable.
FAQs about Cybersecurity for Remote Teams
How do you maintain cybersecurity for remote workers?
You need to make sure your teams have antivirus, and all security software is updated. Teach those remote employees the importance of a secure internet connection and to always avoid using public Wi-Fi. They also have to make sure they aren't letting anyone use their work device.
Can you do cybersecurity remotely?
Yes. Just like work, school, or other things that were traditionally done from a company or organization building are now done online.
What are the problems with remote work in cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity has become much harder for companies to maintain because security issues can come up in places like coffee shops, homes and more where anyone could access a device.