As the whole world tries to navigate its way through the novel COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses have their employees working remotely. From increased productivity to stronger engagement, there are numerous positives to people working remotely. But it’s also essential to be mindful of cybersecurity risks that come along with remote work. Business Solutions Providers (BSPs) can step in and help their customers who have transitioned to remote work by supporting them with the resources needed to keep them securely up-and-running during the current coronavirus crisis.
Working remotely is a style in which an employee is allowed to work outside of a traditional office environment. Instead of commuting to and from an office every day, employees have the flexibility to work from their own home and on their own schedule. Working remotely is a convenient alternative in today’s modern workplace. But like all tech-related activities, there are cybersecurity risks associated with remote work. Thankfully, there are steps and preventative measures that some BSPs offer that can help employers ensure that their data is kept secure while their employees are working from home.
Cybersecurity Risks Remote Employees Face
With advancements in technology, it’s easier than ever for cybercriminals to hack into sensitive data on remote devices. Some risks include unsecured Wi-Fi networks, the use of personal devices and networks, and numerous scams targeted toward remote workers. However, if your customers have the right security solutions in place, they can keep their business data safe. Here are some solutions that BSPs can offer to help keep their customers’ information secure while they are working remotely.
Reminders to Keep Passwords Safe and Strong
It’s always important to keep passwords secure, but this is even more important when employees are working on different networks. If employees use the same password across all of their accounts, they are at a higher risk of compromising their passwords and, ultimately, your data. Relay to your customers that it’s best to give each account its own unique, strong password. Offer to help them enlist the aid of a verified password manager, such as LastPass, 1Password, Dashlane, or Keeper, that randomizes passwords for them and keeps those passwords secure.
Setting Up VPNs
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help businesses and their employees improve their online privacy while working from home. With a VPN, data is encrypted, thus making it unreadable to anyone who attempts to intercept it. Whether they‘re using a secure private Wi-Fi or a public Wi-Fi hotspot, a VPN will keep their information protected from cybercriminals. For BSPs, this is a crucial offering during the COVID-19 pandemic and can be a boon for business during uncertain economic times.
Offering Data Back-Ups
It’s essential that businesses regularly back-up their data, but this is especially important when their employees are working remotely using personal devices. Data loss can happen at any time, whether it’s via human error or a cybersecurity issue. Equipping your customers with the tools needed to help them back up information to an online cloud storage service helps ensure that their data is updated and secure while also being cost-effective.
If you’re a BSP who offers these cybersecurity preventative measures, we have the ready-to-go content you need to get the word out and reach your clients and prospects. If you would like a demo of our email marketing platform to see the kinds of marketing content available to BSPs offering remote work solutions first-hand, contact Evolved Office today!