Working from home and hybrid work patterns have become largely normalised in the workplace since the emergence of mandatory remote working policies in 2020.
Although these policies have since been relaxed, remote-first work has had a lasting positive impact on employees. It has proven cost-effective for employers by reducing office-related expenses, inspiring many businesses to scrap the traditional office environment.
However, as with any employee without proper oversight, remote workers present unique cybersecurity risks to their organisation if poorly educated and equipped.
This blog will explore the increasing security challenges that come with remote working for enterprise businesses and provide actionable insights to help leaders safeguard their remote-first teams.
Remote work and the growing security challenge
Enterprise organisations have large amounts of employees, commonly working in different locations and, in some cases, overseas. This can pose as a security risk because without the correct policies and effective employee security training, remote working environments can quickly become vulnerable to cyber threats.
When employees use personal devices or connect through unsecured home networks, sensitive company data is at greater risk of being exposed. Many employees, remote or otherwise, are often not equipped with the necessary cybersecurity knowledge to recognise phishing attempts, create strong passwords or safely access internal systems.
This lack of central oversight and basic cybersecurity education makes it difficult for IT teams to monitor security across all users and devices. As a result, weaknesses in the system may go undetected until a breach occurs.
To mitigate these risks, organisations must take a proactive approach. This includes establishing clear policies, providing ongoing cybersecurity training, and implementing reliable security tools. Without these measures, the advantages of flexible work arrangements could come at a serious cost to data security and business continuity.
Let's take a closer look at some of the unique risks posed by remote workers...
What cybersecurity risks does remote working pose?
Here are some of the key cybersecurity risks presented by remote working, if not properly addressed by the workplace:
- Phishing scams: Remote workers may be more vulnerable to fraudulent emails or messages, especially when they lack in-person IT support to verify suspicious activity or enforce additional controls.
- Unsecured home networks: Many employees use personal Wi-Fi or unsecured networks that are not properly secured, making them easier targets for hackers.
- Data sharing over unsecured platforms: Workers may rely on non-approved apps or tools to communicate or share files, increasing the risk of sensitive information being leaked.
- Limited IT oversight, or delayed response: It’s harder for IT teams to monitor, manage and support remote endpoints, creating gaps in visibility and control. For example, the spread of malware through a remote-first team may take longer to be identified than with an office-based team, as IT support may not be physically present to evaluate the issue and initiate remediations.
How you can tackle remote working cybersecurity risks
Enforce Remote Work Policies
Establish clear cybersecurity policies for remote employees. Define which tools should be used, what security measures are mandatory (e.g., VPNs, password managers), and outline consequences for non-compliance. Regularly review and update these policies as threats evolve, ensuring a proactive approach to data security.
Educate employees
Continuous cybersecurity training is crucial. Teach employees how to recognise phishing scams, avoid unsafe links, and use strong authentication methods. Regular simulations and refresher sessions help keep security top of mind, and with such a broad variety of online training resources available, employers can effectively distribute training material to remote-first teams.
Prevent phishing scams
Phishing remains one of the top threats in remote environments. IT teams should deploy email filtering tools and encourage employees to verify suspicious requests through separate communication channels.
The enablement of multi-factor authentication (MFA) can also minimise phishing risks by requiring additional verification steps that are not easily compromised through stolen credentials alone.
Secure the network
While it can be tempting to tether your device to an unsecured network when working from cafes or coffee shops, the risk of exposure to threats significantly increases. Individuals can learn how to safely use public Wi-Fi here.
That's why businesses should enforce the use of secure Wi-Fi networks or VPNs when working remotely. Discourage the use of public Wi-Fi or provide secure tethering alternatives. Additionally, monitor remote network activity for anomalies and unauthorised access.
Use company-issued devices
It is not advisable for employees to work on personal devices. Not only can this be invasive for the employee to use their own device, but it also poses significant security risks. Personal devices can lack encryption, endpoint protection, or monitoring tools.
Providing secure, company-managed devices ensures proper configuration, patching, and visibility, while also promoting a healthy work/home boundary for remote employees.
How penetration testing can support hybrid and remote-first enterprises
Penetration testing is an essential tool in supporting hybrid and remote-first enterprises to identify and remediate security weaknesses before they can be exploited.
Through the simulation of real-world cyber attacks, pentesting supports businesses to identify vulnerabilities in remote access systems, cloud platforms, and employee devices.
This proactivity supports best practices and helps employers minimise the risk of data breaches, ensuring rapid, effective incident response regardless of where employees work from.
With penetration testing, IT teams can also optimise their defences based on findings, allowing them to implement necessary patches and provide proper employee education on emerging or business-specific threats for both office-based and remote workers.
How can OnSecurity support my business?
With the enforcement of best practices, well-defined policies, and regular penetration testing, robust security when employees are working from home is easily attainable for enterprise businesses.
OnSecurity's expert penetration testing services can support home-working and hybrid organisations in achieving robust, business-wide security.
