Why Your Remote Workforce Needs Cybersecurity Training

Cybersecurity is a major concern for businesses now working remotely. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a transition from working in-office to working from home for many companies. Most employees now work remotely and new systems are in place to facilitate this, but it has created greater cybersecurity issues.

Many cyberattacks are successful due to human error, so your remote workforce needs to be trained in this area. Even though many businesses are opting for outsourced cybersecurity, it’s still important to train your employees in cybersecurity best practices. Here are a few of the reasons why your remote workforce needs cybersecurity training. 

1. Cybersecurity Attacks Are on the Rise

Cybersecurity attacks are on the rise and have also increased due to the pandemic. In fact, in a recent survey, 60% of companies said their data had potentially been compromised. Remote workforces can potentially increase a company’s vulnerability because some employees aren’t trained on how to keep connections or files secure.

Accessibility is also a problem. It’s necessary to have more controlled access to sensitive data. Employees need to have a clear understanding of who is authorized to view and share particular files. They also need to be taught about encryption and how to store data in a safe location. 

By working with a provider that offers outsourced cybersecurity, you can get more information on how to protect your business against cyberattacks. You’ll then be able to train your staff on cybersecurity best practices and how to look out for hackers and prevent security threats. 

2. Social Engineering Attacks Can Fool Your Employees

Social engineering attacks often come in the form of phishing campaigns. Employees often don’t know how to recognize a phishing email, and they can be fooled into giving up sensitive data. 22% of breaches in 2019 involved phishing, and this is a successful way hackers often gain access to private information.

It’s important to train your staff on how to look out for these spam emails. Some common features include the email message being misspelled or poorly written, or an email address from a public domain. It’s always a good idea to check out the email address as well as the name of the sender. Employees should also report any suspicious emails and never open an attachment or link.

3. BYOD Policies Can Bring Security Challenges 

Using your own devices means you may be storing or accessing data insecurely. Employees can also install anything they want on their personal devices. As an employer, you’ll have less control over the security of these devices.

BYOD policies also bring in more dangers. There are more opportunities for data theft over unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Your employees could accidentally download hidden malware. It’s also possible for employees to leak company information, which could result in legal issues.

Another problem with using personal devices is that they could get lost or stolen. This would also be a risk if the device has access to sensitive data that hasn’t been properly encrypted.

4. Your Team May Be Using Insecure Applications 

Your employees might also download and install insecure applications without realizing it. Many apps can contain malware or malicious content, and your staff could put the whole system at risk by infecting one device. 

Cybersecurity training can ensure your remote workforce are aware of the dangers of downloading or installing certain apps onto their devices. Staff also need to be trained on using a private network such as a VPN rather than their own internet connection. They will then have the information they need to make informed, safe decisions about how to use their personal devices. 

5. Your Employees Need Clear Internet and Data Use Guidelines 

It’s important to train your employees on how to safely use their devices and other Internet protections, such as VPN. Without proper guidelines, the entire company’s data could be at risk of a security breach. Many employees don’t know the best practices for data use. They could end up causing a data breach by accident.

A remote workforce makes it more difficult to track and block cybersecurity attacks. This means it’s more important now rather than even to give staff detailed guidelines on cybersecurity and data use. Outsourced cybersecurity can help to protect your business, but it’s also important to protect your staff.

One error could end up affecting the entire system, especially with remote working. Everybody is connected and at risk of the same cybersecurity issues. It’s therefore paramount to give your remote workforce proper training, in order to lower the risk of a breach.