While this is in motion, there are certain firms providing their own devices to employees. Some companies provide digital workplace services like a desktop and audio devices while few others allow the liberty to use their personal devices. While company offered devices have protective softwares installed to restrict data theft and information breach, are they fully secured?
An even bigger question is, are employees strictly using company provided devices for work? This is a tricky question! Certain on-the-go tasks can be quickly done on a phone and are convenient too. In such cases, employees need to use their company’s email id and password for logging in and operating.
Boom! There goes privacy, no matter how protected you might think your phone is. Here are the three myths that companies and employees believe and the truth against those:
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Existing safeguard protects remote, personal devices
Today, every device user installs an antivirus on their devices: phone or laptop. Their generic belief is that these softwares are enough to protect the device and its data.
Even if additional software is installed, there are certain risks that still prevail. Mostly, this is because of the shared usage of these personal devices. Also, such devices aren’t usually accessed for business purposes.
This opens up gates for numerous websites to install cookies, capture data, and track usage patterns. That is itself enough to allow for hackers to breach privacy and steal data.
Now that we know the myth and the fact against it, let’s see what the solution is! You can install the organization’s antivirus on all the personal devices that you use for work purposes. The key features you can seek are: endpoint security, threat detection, and 24*7 security operations center. You can opt for Microsoft workplace solutions.
Our experts can assist in protecting your workplace devices from threats!
Hackers are lenient towards remote workers
It is assumed that cybercriminals are targeting workplace devices to hack or threaten. They are looking to get a hold of the data, irrespective of which devices are used.
Hackers are alert and aware that the work culture is shifting online! They have come up with the tactics to mislead and misguide their targets. You may receive fake COVID safety policies or work policies.
Clicking on such links, that come from unknown sources, are the quickest ways to land yourself into a phishing attack. So the next time you receive an email or come across a strange link; do not click on it.
Always keep your safety virus on as a few websites prompt you to turn security off to access data. Never do so, any verified domain will be protected and will NOT require you to turn security off.
Another way is to spread cybersecurity awareness related material/videos with the team or browse them yourselves. Mention or read all the points that help you do both: protect data as well as prevent attacks via spammy links or mails.
Virtual Private Networks are enough to protect personal devices
Does masking your device’s IP address really dodge the bullet? Well, you may be misinformed. Your Virtual Private Network is only as secured as the devices using it.
Since personal devices are independent workstations, there isn’t any constant monitoring happening.
Also, personal devices don’t have the same layers of protection as well as accountability as organizational devices do. This becomes a major reason to detect a gap and elevate an attack even when there’s Virtual Private Network installed.
Yet another reason why Virtual Private Network might not work on modern workplace services is sharing devices. Personal devices are mostly shared amongst different users. While different users have different profiles; it is not necessary that all users will be connected to the Virtual Private Network.
Lastly, there’s a time gap between the launch of Virtual Private Network and the connection to an internet network. This gap is what makes the device and data vulnerable and prone to attack by hackers. Especially if the device is connected to an open, unsecured network; such risks just multiply.
Above three myths are the biggest myths that remote working on personal devices entails. Be aware of any signs that you might come across, never click on unknown links and never ever turn your system’s security software off!
Add to that, the below mentioned five best practices for your remote workforce to keep their devices secured:
1. Provide a secured company device as and when possible
2. Enable multi-factor authentication while allowing any device to connect to the network
3. Ensure your employees are updated and made aware of the latest cyber security techniques
4. Install end-to-end protection softwares for employees using personal devices
5. Identify the gaps that Virtual Private Network brings along and bridge the gap with extra layer of security
Make sure that the installed software is active and will protect the device’s security!