The Relationship Between Remote Work & Cyber Risks
Do you have remote employees? If you do, your business is at risk of data breaches that could result in data loss, identity theft, and other security risks. You can protect your business with Sante Fe Cyber Liabilityinsurance, but you need to understand these cyber risks to mitigate the negative consequences.
Remember, any claim on insurance due to these liability risks may increase your annual premiums. So, it’s best to know these risks and create risk management measures.
Wireless Network
At home, employees don’t have a firewall to protect them from internet marauders. Yes, they have antivirus or software updates to keep their devices free of suspicious activities and attempts for breach.
However, people often overlook updating the router software. This can result in security gaps, exposing your business data to breach risks.
So, to mitigate these risks, train your employees in basic technology such as updates, identification of suspicious activities, and other security risks. In addition, your employees should recognize security features that should be enabled on their devices.
Plus, constantly update your company’s security protocols. Your employees should know when to report possible data breaches. Your risk management countermeasures should include punishments to accountable employees.
It’s also essential that a dedicated team on security risks visit the employee’s home for assistance when necessary.
File Sharing
Every day, your employees share sensitive data over the Internet through emails. They deal with customers who provide personal details. When a customer complains about your service or product, your CSR will pull out data to check vital information.
These circumstances are the gateways of hackers. Hackers can intercept data with the use of sophisticated tools and extensive knowledge of programs and systems.
Thus, your employees should see to it that these data are encrypted before sending them. Data encryption on the network is not enough to keep the bad hackers away from snooping on your business and clients’ information.
If you must, invest in tools and platforms that allow you to encrypt information. These can secure email attachments, data information inside voicemails, and other data communications.
Use reputable file-sharing platforms with years of experience in keeping data secure over the Internet. Prevention is better than dealing with stolen data.
Security and Passwords
Firewalls and VPNs are tools most businesses use to protect a network. However, these are not enough to secure information within the network.
You need another layer of security and create passwords. With passwords, attackers will have an extra level to solve before they can enter your network.
However, some hackers use sophisticated tools to crack your passwords. Others will create codes that are automatically loaded. These codes will continue to work until the hackers successfully entered your network’s system.
To mitigate the effects of these risks, make sure that passwords are strong. It would be best if you also changed the passwords regularly.
In creating passwords, a combination of numbers, alphabets, and symbols would be good. Avoid birthdays, names of schools, or other information that are easily relatable to you, your employees, or your business.
The best password includes a paraphrase that hackers won’t normally know, but you can easily remember. Alternatively, you can use tools that help you store passwords in an encrypted system.
Phishing Threats
Phishing is the most common cyber threats where your remote employees may become a victim. Often, this scheme involves an “almost” legitimate person or entity.
Usually, the criminals would send an email or a link asking for updates on sensitive information. If your employees don’t scrutinize such emails, they might expose your business to these people.
The devastating results of data breaches can lead to legal battles that would drain your working capital. Although insurance can help you with these costs, the trust of your customers won’t be replaceable.
You have to start all over again to achieve the reputation you have built for years. So, make sure that your employees can recognize these threats.
Training for new hires would be a good practice. Regularly conduct updates on the evolution of phishing schemes.
Remember, hackers and internet criminals are always looking for something to ruin with their unscrupulous ways.
WFH Devices
Your employees use devices other than a laptop or desktop. They use smartphones, printers, and desk phones.
Often, these are connected to the home Wi-Fi network. Thus, each device is a possible threat to security.
You can lessen the negative effects of these devices by providing a work computer with security features enabled on it.
Request your employees to avoid using personal phones unless it is encrypted. Most phones nowadays have “wipe-all” information after a certain number of failed attempts.
For printers, make sure that employees turn off the feature of “print anywhere.” This feature is a network’s invisible hole that hackers can use to breach a secured network.
Conclusion
Security breaches and stolen data are the leading causes of litigations for most businesses. Protect your business with insurance. At the same, create a cybersecurity and risk management policy that addresses these security issues.
About Daniels Insurance, Inc.
At Daniels Insurance, Inc., we have a unique understanding of the risks that businesses like yours face on a regular basis. With the backing of our comprehensive coverages and our dedication to customer service and quick claims resolution, your business will be fully protected. For more information, contact us today at (855) 565-7616.