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Tips for Securing Your Digital Assets while Working Remotely

In the shift towards remote work, cybersecurity becomes a crucial concern as criminals step up their hacking attempts.

Best Practices for Securing Your Home Office Network During Remote Work
Best Practices for Securing Your Home Office Network During Remote Work

Tips for Securing Your Digital Assets while Working Remotely

In today's digital age, cybersecurity has become a crucial factor to consider due to the high rate of attacks. As the world moves towards increased computerization and digitalization, the threat of cybercrime continues to grow.

The Evolution of Cyberattacks

The first recorded cyberattack occurred in 1834, using the French telegraph system. Fast forward to the modern era, and cyberattacks have become more sophisticated, with phishing scams making up over 50% of all cyberattacks. The first cyberattack involving stolen information about the stock market was carried out by Joseph and Francois Blanc in the 19th century.

The Shift to Remote Work and the Rise of New Challenges

With the advent of COVID-19, 60% of businesses moved to cloud-based operations. While this transition offered numerous benefits, it also created new challenges. Companies that started to work remotely quickly experienced breaches costing $1 million, compared to those who didn't. Stolen credentials caused the most breaches, with hackers exposing the most data.

Strengthening Your Defences

To combat these threats, experts recommend several strategies. Firstly, educating employees about the dangers of hackers and teaching them best cybersecurity practices can help prevent cyberattacks in a remote work environment. This includes understanding phishing schemes and learning how to identify harmful messages.

Secondly, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help protect businesses from cyberattacks by providing added security when accessing the internet. It's prudent for all employees to have computers they only use for work to improve cybersecurity. Higher-quality VPN services should be considered to avoid slowing down the network and internet speed.

Thirdly, it's essential to update spam filters for emails and phone calls to prevent phishing scams from reaching employee access. Remote management software can also aid in this regard, allowing companies to track attendance and complete payroll without being in the office, and providing real-time access to work data for improved security.

The Importance of Multi-layered Security

Experts recommend the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA), strict identity and access management policies, comprehensive endpoint protection including firewalls and behavior analysis, continuous monitoring and detection through Security Operations Centers (SOC) with SIEM and SOAR tools, and strengthening email security to improve cybersecurity in telework environments.

Preparing for the Inevitable

Plan for when ransomware attacks and data breaches will happen, not if. Cybersecurity incidents are becoming increasingly common, and businesses need to be prepared to respond effectively. In 2021, the average data breach cost companies $4.24 million, the highest number in almost 20 years.

In conclusion, as the world continues to digitalize, the importance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated. By implementing robust cybersecurity measures, businesses can protect themselves from the growing threat of cybercrime and ensure the safety of their valuable data.

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