The COVID-19 pandemic continues to exert a major influence on organizations, their employees, and their relationships to data and intellectual property. Where remote work was once considered a nice perk for employees, now more and more organizations are forced to adapt to the current situation and deploy new protocols and strategies to allow for remote work. But this deployment can lead to big problems if not done with an eye towards security. Secure remote operating procedures help your organization protect its data and intellectual property and provides clarity to employees on what is and isn’t allowed in the remote workforce environment. Here are some thoughts and insights on how your organization can secure its remote workforce now and in the future.
Increasing Security Awareness
Raising awareness of potential security issues is an important way to protect your organization from harm. The more your employees know regarding how to practice good security habits, the better off your organization will be. The best practices for security in the remote space will mirror many of the ones practiced in the in-office environment, although there is some room for expansion and adaptation. Keep a clear channel of communication with remote employees and allow them a space to have their security questions answered.
Limit Access Privileges
When implementing a remote workforce structure, the tendency may be to grant individual employees more access than they may seem to need as a “just-in-case” measure. But access privileges should be monitored and doled out in the same manner as they would be if the employees were at the office. Follow the principle of least privilege and review access rights on a frequent basis to ensure your employees are only getting access to the tools and data they need in order to do their jobs effectively.
Two-Factor Verification
Good password practices will go a long way in securing your organization, but an even better method is requiring two-factor verification for sign-ins. This adds another layer of protection that can save your data if passwords are breached. The best method of implementing two-factor verification is a random number generator from authentication software – an SMS message sent to a mobile phone can also work, but it is more vulnerable and not as secure.
Contact ITMG to Assess Your Current Capabilities and Develop Strategies and Protocols Designed to Help Your Company Mitigate Your Insider Risk
ITMG is an industry leader in helping organizations throughout the United States strengthen their insider risk management programs and secure sensitive data and intellectual property. Our team of bona fide experts has the real-world experience necessary to plan out and create holistic security solutions tailored to the special needs and risks in your industry. Contact ITMG today to learn more about how we can help! You can also visit our Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages for more updates and insights into the world of insider risk management.